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  Cops Investigate Theft Report
State's Episcopal Diocese Filed a Complaint in Colorado Springs

By Electa Draper
Denver Post
August 11, 2007

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_6603011

Colorado Springs police said Friday that they have been investigating theft and fraud at the Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish since the Denver-based Episcopal Diocese of Colorado filed a complaint July 16.

The Rev. Don Armstrong, pastor of Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish, is a "person of interest" in the case, said Colorado Springs police spokesman Skip Arms. Arms said he could not discuss the investigation, except he anticipates it will take several weeks.

Rev. Don Armstrong of Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church where there is a movement in the parish to restrict donations for only the local parish to protest the naming of an openly gay bishop recently.
Photo by Brian Brainerd

Episcopal Diocese spokeswoman Beckett Stokes said Friday she had no knowledge of the criminal complaint.

Episcopal Ecclesiastical Court made a preliminary ruling Aug. 2 that Armstrong is guilty of theft, tax fraud, misusing funds and improperly borrowing money. The court found that Armstrong took $392,000 in church funds without authorization of church lay leaders between 1999 and 2006.

Church attorneys said total restitution for stolen, misused and improperly borrowed funds would total more than $600,000.

Armstrong last spring led the church vestry and a faction of his parish to break away from the Episcopal Church to join the conservative Anglican Diocese of Nigeria.

Armstrong's attorney, Dennis Hartley, said the Episcopal court no longer has jurisdiction over Armstrong now that he is a member of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a mission of the Nigerian diocese.

A spokesman for the breakaway Grace Church, Alan Crippen, said that he learned of the criminal complaint Friday, and he welcomed it.

"We view this as a positive development," Crippen said. "We are utterly confident of a fair process with the Colorado justice system, unlike the witch hunt conducted by the Episcopal Diocese."

Both Armstrong and Colorado Episcopal Bishop Robert O'Neill have 30 days to respond to the ecclesiastical court's preliminary ruling. The court will then issue a final judgment along with recommendations for a sentence.

The bishop imposes the sentence, which could include removing Armstrong from the Episcopal priesthood.

Staff writer Electa Draper can be reached at 303-954-1276, or edraper@denverpost.com.

 
 

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