BishopAccountability.org
	Priest's Attorney Asks for More Time Defense in Robert Ascolese Case Needs to Examine Documents. By Tom Quigley The Express-Times August 4, 2007 http://www.pennlive.com/news/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/news-5/118620007617320.xml&coll=2 Belvidere | An attorney for the Rev. Robert Ascolese told a judge Friday he needs more time to sift through 17 boxes of evidence linked to theft charges against the former pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Washington. The assortment of bank records, parish records and other evidence has formed a wall of sorts blocking progress in the nearly year-old case. New York defense attorney Melvin Wright described the case as "document intensive." Superior Court Judge John Pursel scheduled a status conference for Oct. 5. Ascolese allegedly stole nearly $1 million from the parish. In February, he rejected a plea offer calling for a three-year state prison sentence. If convicted after a trial, he would face maximum 10-year prison sentences on the most serious second-degree charges lodged against him. Wright is the second attorney to represent Ascolese. Ascolese, known to his former parishioners as Father Bob, is free on $75,000 bail. Authorities said the bulk of the stolen cash went to a failed attempt to save the parish's now-closed school and other church-related programs. It is alleged the priest stole about $650,000 from the annual St. Joseph's Powerball Raffle. Reporter Tom Quigley can be reached at 908-475-8184 or by e-mail at tquigley@express-times.com.
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