BishopAccountability.org
	Parishioners Seek Truth about Priest By Wayne Thorpe The Warren Reporter [New Jersey] September 29, 2006 http://www.nj.com/news/warrenreporter/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1159502858279560.xml&coll=15 "Innocent until proven guilty" is a precept of the American judicial system. It's also a frequent response by parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Washington to the question of whether former pastor Rev. Robert Ascolese -- "Father Bob" to the faithful -- is guilty of the theft charges leveled against him last week in state Superior Court. Ascolese was charged last week with stealing more than $600,000 from various charities and church programs over the past four years, including rigging Powerball Raffles, intended to raise money for St. Joseph's Catholic Academy. The Academy closed last year. Ascolese is also charged with using sophisticated scams to funnel charitable donations to himself. Charged with him were William and Stella Quilban of Hampton, who are alleged to have assisted Ascolese is scamming money from the Merck Foundation. Many current and former parishioners have opinions -- or at least beliefs -- about the guilt or innocence of Ascolese. Few are willing to speak on the record, some out of respect, some for fear of being subpoenaed. "Most parishioners are shocked by the allegations," admitted Washington Mayor Marianne Van Deursen, who formerly served on the defunct Home School Association. "It's hard for most of the parishioners to understand how the priest, whom they adored, could be guilty of what he's been charged with." But it was a suspicious parishioner last summer who tipped off the authorities when he noticed a forged check and brought it to the attention to the church trustees, who in turn contacted the Diocese of Metuchen, which launched its own investigation, which included an audit by Price Waterhouse Cooper. The Diocese then turned its evidence over the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, which brought the 32-count indictment. The big details, like the amounts stolen, are shocking. The smaller, unofficial details, many of which have not been made public, like the stolen Powerball drawing in which a deceased priest as winner, are merely unsettling. In addition to the multiple theft charges, Ascolese is charged with destroying and removing Powerball records, check stubs and bank statements. Ultimately, both supporters and detractors state that the evidence, and not personal allegiance or abhorrence, will determine the outcome. "Everyone is entitled to their day in court," said parishioner Any Loigu. "Whether it's what you believe or don't believe, the evidence will speak for itself." "I wanted to believe that he got in over his head financially," said Van Deursen. "On the surface it seemed that he wanted the school to succeed." But, like many of her fellow parishioners, the emerging story has shaken that belief. "It's difficult to feel that way with all the evidence that's been presented," she said. Ascolese was frred on 10 percent of $75,000 bail last Thursday. The Diocese of Metuchen also remains non-committal in its statements regarding Ascolese, noting in an official release he is unassigned and on a voluntary leave of absence from his parochial responsibilities. "The Diocese will continue to cooperate with the Prosecutor's office and trusts that, ultimately, the truth will be known and justice will prevail," it read in part.
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