Priest accused of embezzlement said he was trying to help people in Africa, police say

SEYMOUR, Conn. -- A former Roman Catholic priest accused of taking money from his parish in Seymour, Connecticut, faced a judge on Monday, CBS affiliate WFSB reported.

The Rev. Honore Kombo was arrested last month after a 12-month investigation. And many parishioners have found it hard to understand.

"He came across as a man of the cloth," said Tom Sarkes, a parishioner, to WFSB. "You could picture him in the holy land coming out."

Police said they began looking into Kombo last April after they received a complaint from people at St. Augustine Church in Connecticut.

On May 6, 2013, police said Kombo received "a large sum of money in the form of a check made payable to the St. Augustine Church." Police said Kombo opened an account at a local bank and "deposited the proceeds from this monetary annuity into this account."

Kombo was removed back in November for allegedly embezzling $20,000, officials with the Hartford Diocese said. The money was left to the church by a parishioner who passed away, WFSB reported.

After initially denying the allegations, police said Kombo admitted that he took about $27,000 and used it for projects in his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically a plan to provide loans to the African county.

"Father Kombo stated he felt huge pressure as the 'Microfinance company had to maintain a certain financial threshold in order to get outside funding.' Father Kombo stated that this lead him to 'get into this unauthorized borrowing of money' from the church," court documents said.

But that wasn't all.

WFSB reported that police said Kombo allegedly opened up an authorized line of credit under the church's name, with cash advances totaling more than $31,000. As of right now, police said he still owes the church more than $33,000.

On Oct. 18, 2013, police said "Kombo had opened a line of credit account at a local bank in the name of St. Augustine's Church utilizing the church's tax identification information." Police said that Kombo "deposited majority of these funds into his personal bank account."

Those who attend St. Augustine Church told WFSB that they were extremely disappointed. Many said they considered the priest a friend.

"I knew it was coming, but it still hurts," said Jackie Sarkes, a parishioner.

WFSB attempted to speak with Kombo at his home in Weston, Connecticut, but he wouldn't respond to the allegations.

He faces a charge of first-degree larceny. He is due back in court later this month.