Archdiocese’s Statement on Embezzlement

The Mercury
March 13, 2012

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120313/NEWS03/120319795/-1/NEWS04/archdiocese-s-statement-on-embezzlement

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has worked closely with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office regarding the embezzlement of funds by Anita Guzzardi, the former chief financial officer of the Archdiocese.

On July 13, 2011, the District Attorney’s Office alerted the Archdiocese to certain accounting irregularities reported to the D.A.’s office by a credit card company. Guzzardi was placed on administrative leave the following day. After a preliminary internal forensic financial investigation by the Archdiocese, she was terminated on July 22. Following the initial investigation, the Archdiocese continued the financial investigation and shared all findings with the D.A.’s office in August.

Estimates show that Guzzardi embezzled more than $900,000 from the general operating fund of the Archdiocese. Donations to the Heritage of Faith ~ Vision of Hope capital campaign and the annual Catholic Charities Appeal were not impacted. The theft had no effect on the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission or the decision to close or regionalize any school.

Insurance will cover most of the costs for embezzled funds and a portion of the fees for the internal investigation.

Guzzardi held a number of finance-related positions within the Archdiocese since her hiring in 1989. She was formally appointed to the CFO position on July 1, 2011.