Philly archdiocese ex-CFO pleads in $900k theft

In this undated hand out photo from the the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Anita Guzzardi is seen. / AP Photo

(AP) PHILADELPHIA - A former financial executive of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $900,000 from the church.

Forty-two-year-old Anita Guzzardi of Haddon Heights, N.J. pleaded guilty Friday to charges of theft by deception, unlawful use of a computer and forgery.

Prosecutors say Guzzardi used hundreds of church checks to pay personal credit card bills from 2005 to 2011. The investigation began after American Express contacted authorities.

Guzzardi had worked for the Philadelphia Archdiocese since 1989 and had just been promoted to chief financial officer at the time of her arrest.

Defense attorney Louis Busico said Monday that his client "always acknowledged wrongdoing" and "has been diligently working to make amends." Prosecutors said they recovered more than $250,000 from her.

Guzzardi's sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 24. Busico said sentencing guidelines call for a few months of incarceration.

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[FormerUSMCSergeant]

by whozzzzure July 2, 2012 9:45 PM EDT
These stories never cease to amaze me that no one in the diocese seemed to miss almost a million bucks! A million bucks?
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A priest here in Vegas gambled away over half a million before anyone noticed.

Gives you an idea of how much cash this cult takes in when a half a million goes unnoticed......

[Jaylah54200]

Ten bucks says the Catholic cult attempts to use this as "justification" for further discrimination against women.

[whozzzzure]

These stories never cease to amaze me that no one in the diocese seemed to miss almost a million bucks! A million bucks? And she is going to serve a few months time. This is disgusting.

I get so angry because I know of so many people who have been unemployed for months and have accounting skills -- and they would never steal a dime. This is unacceptable, and people had better be checking EVERYDAY where their money is, including those who think the account would NEVER STEAL but still appear to have a pretty cush life on a small salary.

[whozzzzure]

These stories never cease to amaze me that no one in the diocese seemed to miss almost a million bucks! A million bucks? And she is going to serve a few months time. This is disgusting.

I get so angry because I know of so many people who have been unemployed for months and have accounting skills -- and they would never steal a dime. This is unacceptable, and people had better be checking EVERYDAY where their money is, including those who think the account would NEVER STEAL but still appear to have a pretty cush life on a small salary.

[tvwatcher5345]

what is the roman catholic church coming to?? its good entertainment though

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

A former financial executive of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $900,000 from the church.

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Don't know what she blew it on but it sure wasn't her looks, eh?

Sheesh.

[bwlewis1964]

The Catholic Church has had a bad year......