PENNSYLVANIA
We Are Central PA
Danielle Krout
JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY— Father Joseph Maurizio will remain in the county jail until a second federal judge makes a ruling if he should be released while he awaits trial.
“The government wants to detain him and we want him to remain free,” said Steven Passarello, Attorney. “The government has decided to appeal which is apart of the process.”
Thursday was third detention hearing for the priest. The US Attorney had two witnesses testified including an expert specialist for the IRS and a special agent with Homeland Security.
The IRS agent testified that there were a number of checks made to Maurizio as a refund for cash items he allegedly paid for but didn’t provide a receipt. He also allegedly made cash withdrawal of $9,700 the same day federal agents raided his home and church, according to prosecutors that money has never been found. US Attorney says Maurizio failed to disclose to the government more than $1 million that was in his personal accounts.
The agent went on to testify that Maurizio’s salary was in the $20,000- $25,000 range, and the cash, credit, and deposits didn’t add up. All of the money essentially ties back to Maurizio even through his charitable organizations, which the defense said they’ve agreed to freeze. A family member or the one witness who testified for the defense had to provide a second signature if Maurizio would access the money from several of his accounts or the church’s. The defense has claimed their client has made ‘wise investments over the years.’ Maurizio was also reimbursed by Our Lady Queen of Angels Church for all of his travel expenses which he paid for with his own cash. The government said Maurizio wired more than $10,000 to a priest in Honduras. Passarello said that was for food to feed starving kids in the orphanage.
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