Priest indicted in thefts at Northborough parish

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Globe
By Travis Andersen | GLOBE STAFF AUGUST 26, 2014

A Roman Catholic priest has been indicted on charges of stealing nearly $240,000 over several years from the Northborough parish where he served as pastor, according to the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

The Rev. Stephen M. Gemme is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Worcester Superior Court on five counts of larceny, stemming from allegations that he had stolen $239,969.87 from St. Bernadette Parish and its elementary school, a spokesman for the district attorney said.

A call to a number listed for Gemme’s lawyer, Carol S. Wheeler, was not returned Monday.

According to prosecutors, Gemme allegedly siphoned the cash from the parish and school starting in January 2008.

Last October, Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester wrote in a letter posted on the St. Bernadette website that Gemme had resigned his position after spending more than $120,000 in parish funds and more than $110,000 from the St. Bernadette School for personal expenditures.

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