Journal News
July 25, 2011
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110725/NEWS03/107250361/Priest-sentenced-probation-stealing-from-Garnerville-parish-gamble?odyssey=nav|head
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| The Rev. Thomas Kreiser walks into the Rockland County Courthouse today for sentencing for stealing from St. Gregory of Barbarigo parish in Garnerville while he was pastor. He was sentenced to five years probation. He has repaid the money. Photo by Seth Harrison/The Journal News |
NEW CITY - A former pastor of St. Gregory Barbarigo Church was sentenced today to five years probation for stealing $25,600 from the Garnerville parish for Internet gambling and other personal uses.
The Rev. Thomas Kreiser, 45, who led the parish from 2008-10, repaid the money and has been in a rehabilitation facility for gambling.
He pleaded guilty in June to fourth-degree grand larceny and faced a maximum of four years in prison on the felony charge.
During sentencing today before Rockland County Judge Charles Apotheker, Kreiser apologized to the Garnerville parishioners . He also thanked the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York for its support.
Kreiser has been living at a rehabilitation facility in Pennsylvania for 13 months to deal with his gambling addiction.
In a few weeks, he will leave the facility for an assignment as a priest with an undisclosed church in northern Westchester County. He will not handle finances or have any administrative duties.
Based on a plea agreement with prosecutor Gary Lee Heavner, Kreiser was not going to be sentenced to jail or prison after repaying the money and voluntarily seeking help.
Rockland prosecutors and judges have supported non-jail terms for others who repaid money stolen from organizations and government programs. They received probational terms.
Kreiser admitted that from March to June 2010 he used the church's American Express card for personal expenses and various recreational pursuits without the authority to do so.
He resigned in June 2010, shocking parishioners by citing only personal reasons.
His resignation prompted investigations, including an audit by the archdiocese and a probe by the Rockland district attorney's Special Investigation Unit.
His lawyer, Louis Valvo, a former Rockland prosecutor, has said his client was "deeply remorseful that his personal issues impacted on his role as pastor at St. Gregory's parish" and he cooperated with the investigators.
Kreiser had served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale before his stint at St. Gregory Barbarigo.
Staff writer Akiko Matsuda contributed to this report.
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