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  Priest Pleads Guilty to Bilking Borrowers of $2.9 Million through His N. Ind. Loan Companies

Associated Press, carried on Fox 59
March 11, 2010

http://www.fox59.com/news/sns-ap-in--priest-fraud,0,1045126.story

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana man has pleaded guilty to a bilking more than $2.9 million from real estate developers and churches while presenting himself as a priest.

Byron "Father Barney" Canada pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in South Bend Wednesday to 31 counts of wire fraud, money laundering and criminal conspiracy.

U.S. attorney's office spokeswoman Mary Hatton says Canada is an ordained priest of the Orthodox-Catholic church, but it was unclear whether he was currently affiliated with a church.

Court documents say Canada collected and kept upfront fees for loans that his two lending companies could not finance.

Hatton said Thursday that Canada is free on bond until his Sept. 27 sentencing.

Defense attorney Jeffrey Sanford did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Canada's listed telephone number was disconnected.

 
 

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