Monday, October 14, 2013

Northborough, MA Cath. Priest Stole $230,000; Rev. Stephen Gemme Had a Gambling Problem

A Roman Catholic church pastor in Northborough, Massachusetts has resigned, as the diocese investigates allegations he stole more than $230,000 from the parish and its school, Worcester Bishop Robert McManus said in a letter to parishioners Sunday, the Boston Herald website reports today (October 14, 2013).

The Rev. Stephen Gemme of St. Bernadette Parish in Northborough was granted a medical leave of absence and placed in residential treatment after the alleged thefts were uncovered, McManus said.

Gemme admitted to having a gambling problem and offered his resignation, which was accepted, according to McManus.

"As a result of the magnitude of the misuse of funds," the Worcester district attorney's office has been informed, the bishop added. It appeared that Gemme used more than $110,000 in school funds and more than $120,000 of parish funds "for personal expenditures unrelated to the parish or school" over the last four years, McManus concluded.

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