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  Priest Indicted for Theft, Money Laundering

Chicago Breaking News
February 5, 2009

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/02/priest-indicted-for-theft-money-laundering.html

A Roselle priest who church officials previously said had a gambling problem was indicted today on charges that he stole more than $300,000 from the parish he used to lead.

Rev. John Regan had been placed on administrative leave by the Joliet diocese in July.

Regan, 45, the former pastor of St. Walter Parish in the northwest suburb, for more than two years took cash and checks meant as church offerings and put them into his own bank account, according to a press release from the DuPage County state's attorney's office.

He then used the money to pay off personal credit cards as well as make ATM cash withdrawals at riverboat casinos, the release said.

Regan was indicted on nine counts of theft over $100,000 from a place of worship, one count of continuing financial crimes enterprise, seven counts of theft and four counts of money laundering.

When Regan was placed on leave, a diocesan spokesman said the priest had an "apparent gambling addiction" and had begun therapy for it.

Regan was ordained in 1989 and held various assignments before becoming pastor of St. Walter in June 2006. The church, at 130 W. Pine Ave., has 3,000 parishioners.

 
 

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