WORCESTER (MA)
Telegram & Gazette
By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gmurray@telegram.com
WORCESTER — The Rev. Stephen M. Gemme, the former pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Northboro, was placed on probation and ordered to make restitution Wednesday after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $240,000 from the church and its school to fuel a gambling addiction.
“Your Honor, I’m deeply ashamed and sorry for the harm I’ve caused,” the 45-year-old Rev. Gemme told Judge Janet Kenton-Walker before pleading guilty in Worcester Superior Court to two counts of larceny of more than $250 by a single scheme.
As recommended by Assistant District Attorney John A. O’Leary and the priest’s lawyer, Carol S. Wheeler, Judge Kenton-Walker placed Rev. Gemme on probation for five years. As a condition of probation, Rev. Gemme was ordered to comply with a restitution agreement he entered into with the Diocese of Worcester and its insurer, the Catholic Mutual Group, calling for the immediate repayment of $50,000 and the eventual return of the balance of the nearly $240,00 he stole.
Mr. O’Leary said Rev. Gemme had agreed to pledge real estate and make cash payments to ensure that full restitution would be made. The bulk of the $50,000 paid Wednesday, $35,000, was to go to Catholic Mutual Group and the remaining $15,000 to the diocese.
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