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  Priest Faces Federal Investigation

By Brian J. Foster
Darien News
June 2, 2006

http://www.dariennews-review.com/topstories/ci_3893130

More than a week after Rev. Michael Jude Fay of St. John's Roman Catholic Church stepped down from his post, a federal investigation is underway to determine his alleged transgressions, which include stealing exorbitant sums of money from the church. Darien police said this week they handed the case over to federal investigators. The Diocese of Bridgeport this week also confirmed that Fay sent a letter to some parishioners in March, asking for $50,000 donations to the parish. Fay left St. John's after a meeting with diocesan Bishop William Lori, who asked for Fay's resignation.

The move came after the church's parochial vicar, the Rev. Michael Madden, and parish bookkeeper Bethany Derario used personal funds to hire a private investigator to probe Fay's alleged wrongdoing. Madden admitted hiring the investigator Vito Colucci Jr., who reportedly documented at least $200,000 in church money was used to pay for trips, dinners at upscale restaurants and limousine rides that Fay took as part of a relationship with another man. Fay has not spoken publicly since his resignation, and the diocese has not revealed his whereabouts. Diocesan spokesman Joseph McAleer this week said Fay sent a letter to some of the parish's wealthiest families, requesting financial donations. The diocese did not authorize the letter, dated March 27, McAleer said.

"I am privately writing to a small group of households to ask you a very special favor," his solicitation letter began. "Throughout the course of this past year, many unexpected and difficult bills have thrown our parish coffers into turmoil." "Would you please consider donating $50,000 to St. John Church now," the letter continues, "so that I can get us back on our feet while the future plans are designed?" "Your generosity is legend," the letter says. "Your kindness and support is so appreciated. I absolutely do not enjoy this part of my 'job' but I must ask." McAleer said the Bridgeport Diocese had nothing to do with the letters Fay wrote to several parishioners. He said the letter was "Fay's idea, and his doing alone."

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Colucci called the case "truly amazing," based on the amount of liberties Fay had. He said that there essentially were no "checks and balances" in place to thwart such a mishap, and that "truths" will continue to come out. "When you don't have accountability in a church, all sorts of things can happen," he said. "There was no one investigating this since last fall, and (the diocese) only started looking into the matter when my investigation came to light. It's amazing that something like this could go on for so many years."

Lori had appointed Madden acting administrator of St. John's, but after Madden told parishioners on May 23 of his involvement in hiring Colucci, Lori announced Madden would relinquish his administrative responsibilities. The bishop also said Madden would be relieved of his pastoral duties at St. John's once a replacement arrived. The bookkeeper's status is unchanged for now. Lori said he asked Fay to step down after a diocesan investigation found some of the church's bills had not been paid, along with other financial problems. During a meeting with angry parishioners in a church auditorium last Tuesday, Lori said the diocese could not have removed Fay any sooner than it did and should not be expected to discipline someone during an ongoing investigation.

He told parishioners that the diocese's first thoughts in October were that the parish might have been a victim of "mismanagement" or "inattention to administration." "But we did not think there was wrongdoing involved," Lori said. As soon as he saw wrongdoing, he said, "I requested his resignation." Fay allegedly used church money to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself and Clifford Fantini, a friend who works as a fashion show director in Philadelphia. Fay and Fantini, who is also known as Cliff Martell, jointly purchased a condominium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Monsignor William Scheyd, pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan and vicar general of the diocese, will temporarily oversee the administration of St. John's.

To preserve the integrity of Fay's financial stewardship of the parish, McAleer said the diocese will have "no further comment" on matters relating to St. John's. He said Lori has pledged a full report of the investigation's findings upon its completion.

 
 

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