Tampa pastor found dead amid embezzlement probe

10 News
May 18, 2014

http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2014/05/17/tampa-pastor-embezzlement-suicide/9213387/

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A Tampa pastor has been found dead amid an investigation he had embezzled money from his church.

Tampa Police say the Rev. Vladimir Dziadek was discovered Monday at the bottom of a staircase at the offices of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He had apparently hanged himself with a belt tied to a banister.

Police say the priest was due to appear at a church hearing Monday regarding allegations he had taken about $200,000 from the church and "gambled it away." The Diocese of St. Petersburg says it is nearing completion of its investigation.

The Tampa Bay Timesreports a funeral for Dziadek is scheduled for Monday.