PENNSYLVANIA
Philly.com
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) – A suspended Pennsylvania priest convicted of sexually assaulting poor street children during missionary trips to Honduras has paid $70,000 in fines and restitution, his attorneys said in a court filing.
The filing was in response to a motion by federal prosecutors on Friday seeking to freeze the assets of the Rev. Joseph Maurizio.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Haines said the 71-year-old priest had transferred 42 acres of land and his home for $1 to his niece in November, after he was convicted, and has continued trying to transfer money from his financial accounts to her since his March 2 sentencing. Haines cited a recorded phone call Maurizio made from jail to his niece on March 8 that involved draining his bank accounts, according to her motion.
But defense attorney Thomas Farrell told The Associated Press last week that Maurizio’s niece was his power of attorney and was making the asset transfers only so she could pay a $50,000 fine and $20,000 restitution on the priest’s behalf.
U.S. District Judge Kim Gibson gave Maurizio’s attorneys until April 1 to respond to Haines’ allegations and they did that Tuesday, complete with a copy of two checks dated Saturday, for the fine and restitution.
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