Claiming Stress, Friends Try To Keep Priest Out Of Prison After He Stole $573,000 From Church

DETROIT (AP) — Federal prosecutors are seeking a 37-month prison sentence for a Detroit-area Catholic priest who embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The government says the Rev. Ed Belczak "took what he pleased" from St. Thomas More Church in Troy to buy a Florida condominium from his parish manager and invest in stocks. He's returning to court on Tuesday for his sentence.

Belczak pleaded guilty to fraud in the embezzlement scheme at St. Thomas More. Investigators say he stole about $573,000.

Despite his crime, Belczak has the support of many people who are asking Judge Arthur Tarnow to keep him out of prison. Defense attorney Jerome Sabbota says running a large, prosperous parish was stressful.

Belczak, who was ordained in 1972, has been pastor of St. Thomas More Parish since 1984. He was removed from duties in 2013 after an audit raised questions about parish finances.