BishopAccountability.org
 
  Charity Director Accused of Theft

Associated Press, carried in The New York Times
October 21, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/nyregion/21thrift.html?_r=2&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Riverhead, N.Y., Oct. 20 (AP) — The director of a Catholic charity stole about $700,000 in donations and thrift shop proceeds to finance her gambling habit, pouring much of the stolen money into lottery tickets, prosecutors said.

The director, Pauline Winterbottom, 52, of Greenport, pleaded not guilty on Friday to grand larceny and was ordered held in $100,000 bail. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Her lawyer, William Moore, declined to comment on Friday.

Ms. Winterbottom had run the North Fork Parish Outreach Center for six years, said Lucie Kwon, an assistant district attorney for Suffolk County. The charity is based in Southold and run by the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Ms. Kwon said auditors discovered the missing money in a review of the parish's books this summer.

The director allegedly stole cash, often in large denominations. "She thought it would make her more lucky," Ms. Kwon said.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.