BishopAccountability.org
 
  Roselle Priest Suspended in Missing Funds Case

Daily Herald
July 30, 2008

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224356

The Diocese of Joliet announced a priest in the St. Walter Parish in Roselle has been suspended while police investigate $112,000 in missing funds from church bank accounts.

The Rev. John Regan, pastor of St. Walter Parish in Roselle, was placed on administrative leave with pay by Bishop Peter Sartain due to alleged misappropriation of parish funds, said diocese spokesman Doug Delaney.

Roselle police have not charged Regan yet, Delany said, but he added an investigation into the missing money is ongoing.

Delaney said, over the past several weeks, a local bank brought up irregularities in the parish's account and an audit was conducted.

The audit showed about $112,000 is missing from the church funds, Delaney said. That information was handed over to police.

He added the records indicated a majority of the misappropriation of the funds is related to gambling, Delaney said, and Regan has begun therapy for a potential gambling addicition.

Regan was ordained in 1989 and held various assignments prior to becoming pastor of St. Walter in June, 2006.

Delaney said there are no prior indications of the misuse of funds in Regan's previous assignments, and the diocese was unaware that Regan might have a gambling addicition.

He added the Diocese has insurance to cover misappropriation of funds and has notified its insurance company. Furthermore, the Diocese has already reimbursed the parish for this loss and will seek reimbursement from the insurance company as well as restitution from Regan.

"We cannot comment on the police investigation or what action might be taken," Delaney added.

 
 

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