BishopAccountability.org
	Valley Tuesday Takes Pittsburgh Tribune-Review March 4, 2008 http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/today/s_555323.html Another investigation: Parishioners at a Harrison church must be wondering if there's something in the water. The Rev. Richard Tusky of Most Blessed Sacrament resigned last Wednesday amid reports of financial irregularities. Ten years ago, the church's priest, the Rev. Walter Benz, was responsible for as much as $1 million in missing funds. Pittsburgh Diocese Bishop David Zubik, to his credit, was on hand for the Saturday Mass to explain to local residents that auditors this week will be interviewing the parish staff concerning money for memorial booklets, rental property and an estate sale. Meanwhile, in a highly unusual move, Tusky has sent a very detailed letter to parishioners giving his side of where the money went. So hopefully, any discrepancies can be explained. More fallout: It was disturbing enough to learn last week that the state-required background clearance checks -- for criminal charges and child abuse -- were not done for Abbie Swogger, the former Highlands High School teacher's aide now accused of corruption of minors. Those background checks, however, probably would not have alerted the school to problems before Swogger was hired, since she has no criminal charges remaining on her record. But now we learn a drug test, which is also required by the district for new employees, was not performed either. Seems this district has a lot of cracks in its hiring procedures. Sure hope they are plugging them now.
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