Priest Gets Probation For Stealing $240,000 To Fund Gambling BingesRev. Stephen Gemme Spared Prison Time In Case |
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A Roman Catholic priest in Massachusetts was given five years of probation despite stealing a sum of $240,000 to feed his years-long gambling addiction, the Boston Herald reported.
Rev. Stephen Gemme’s apology went a long way, as he was sentenced after pleading guilty Wednesday to two counts of larceny. He must also repay the debt over time.
Another part of his plea deal calls for him to give public talks about gambling addiction. He’s currently in treatment for his gambling addiction, according to the report.
The money he stole was from the church itself and its school.
Gemme’s scheme was uncovered in 2013.
According to telegram.com:
Financial records obtained during the investigation showed that Rev. Gemme made cash withdrawals from credit cards in his name and then used church and school funds to pay off the credit cards, according to [Assistant District Attorney John] O’Leary. He said the priest frequented casinos in Connecticut and New Jersey.
“You’re a very lucky man because of the support that you have,” the judge said about Gemme’s sweetheart sentence. The prosecutor reportedly also indicated that Gemme having a lot of friends was a reason for such a light sentence.
Image via Telegraph.com
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