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	Roman Catholic Priest Resigns Amid Probe By John Christoffersen The Associated Press, carried in San Francisco Chronicle May 17, 2006 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/05/17/ national/a212313D29.DTL&hw=priest&sn=001&sc=1000 (05-17) 21:23 PDT Stamford, Conn. (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest resigned amid suspicions of financial wrongdoing and questions about his "suitability for priestly ministry," church officials said Wednesday. The Rev. Michael Jude Fay of St. John Roman Catholic Church in Darien resigned upon request after a preliminary review by the Diocese of Bridgeport, Bishop William E. Lori said. The bishop's announcement came the same day a private investigator gave results of his investigation to Darien police. Investigator Vito Colucci Jr. said he documented at least $200,000 in church money used to pay for Fay's lifestyle with a male companion. Money was spent on limousine rides, dinners at famous restaurants, cruises and gifts, Colucci said. Among expenditures he said were charged to a church credit card were airline tickets for Fay and his companion from New York to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a $2,600 ring bought at Cartier in New York. The investigator would not say who hired him, except to say they were connected to the church. Federal authorities are also investigating, said Tom Carson, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office. Parishioners were told of the resignation Wednesday. Telephone messages were left Wednesday with Fay seeking comment. It was unclear Wednesday whether he had a lawyer. Fay, 55, has been pastor since 1991, church officials said.
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