Ex-Priest Who Stole $1.3M Is Sentenced

After Public Apology And Plea For Mercy Because He Has Cancer

(AP)  A former priest who stole about $1.3 million from his parish to support a life of luxury was sentenced Tuesday to 37 months in prison. The Rev. Michael Jude Fay also was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.

Fay, who pleaded guilty to a federal fraud charge in September, set up secret bank accounts to pay for travel around the world and to buy a condominium, authorities have said.

In a courtroom apology, the 56-year-old Fay said his mistakes have brought shame to his parishioners, his family and friends.

"I beg you for your mercy," Fay said, who has prostate cancer. "Do not send me to prison. I am already in prison."

Federal prosecutors asked that Fay be sentenced to at least four years but were pleased with the outcome.

"This crime quite frankly transcends dollars," prosecutor Richard Schecter said. "It took place unabated and in a growing fashion. Mr. Fay served himself."

Fay resigned last year as pastor of St. John Roman Catholic Church in Darien, a New York City suburb, after investigators working for the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport said Fay used church money for limousines, stays at top hotels around the world, jewelry and clothing from Italy.

The priest shopped at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, drove a Jaguar, attended a sports club, bought jewelry from Cartier, spent $130,000 for limo rides for himself and his mother, and stayed at hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, Hotel De Paris and the Four Seasons Hotel, the church report found. Fay has repaid nearly $280,000.

U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton said Fay's action were carried out over several years and ultimately devastated church members.

The sentence, she said, "is a message that not even the collar can protect you from prison," she said.

In a news release, the diocese called Tuesday's proceedings "a day of great sorrow for all concerned."

Fay is to report to prison April 2.

[tmn]

Good Lord - he was living like a televangelist!

[trogdoar]

At least he was nice enough to get Limo rides for his elderly mother.

[brianbwb-2009]

He stole $1.3 M that is known of, is ordered to pay back $1 M, seems like he makes $300,000. in the deal.

Now he is ordered to spend 37 months in jail. So he gets paid $8108 per month to sit in a campus jail. That''s pretty *** good money there, how many of us would sit it out in a minimum security, Motel6 style jail for such a wage?

The double standard lack of real criminal punishment for the well off makes it very profitable to be a criminal, any wonder why all the big boys are getting caught in criminal scams, when they know there will be little or no consequence if caught?

[gvllee]

Not even a collar can protect you from prison, nor can a robe protect you from hell. Symbolism needs to be presented to law school students.