MICHIGAN
WOOD
Ken Kolker
Published: November 4, 2016
BRONSON, Mich. (WOOD) — Every day, Rev. Richard Fritz walked past the Ten Commandments plaque outside his church. And, nearly every day, he walked across the street to the convenience store, workers there said.
Workers at the Viking Express store told 24 Hour News 8 said Fritz, who is under investigation for allegations of embezzlement, spent hundreds of dollars a day on lottery tickets, sometimes up to $500. They say he usually bought $20 tickets.
A woman at a gas station near his other church, St. Barbara in Colon, also said the priest stopped in to buy lottery tickets.
State police confirmed that gambling is the “undertone” of their investigation. They’re investigating allegations the priest embezzled $213,000 since 2010 from both St. Mary’s and from St. Barbara Church about 12 miles away in Colon.
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