Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

NYC Catholic Priest Accused of Swindling Elderly Parishioner, bought home at Jersey Shore
ABC news ^ | 07.13.04

Posted on 07/13/2004 8:55:25 PM PDT by Coleus

Catholic Priest Accused of Swindling Elderly Parishioner

alt
By Lisa Colagrossi
(Upper East Side-WABC, July 13, 2004)A Manhattan priest is facing a major lawsuit today. He is accused of using his spiritual influence to swindle an elderly parishioner out of nearly half a million dollars.

 

RelatedLink 
RelatedLink From the AP: The News in Photographs
RelatedLink Add News Headlines to Your Web Page or Corporate Intranet
Eighty-eight year old Rose Pale was a devoted parishioner. She attended mass every day. The lawsuit says the monsignor at Saint John The Martyr Church on the Upper East Side betrayed her trust.

Front Page

 

The lawsuit says that Monsignor John Wolsey had Pale sign over $495,000 dollars in cash and stocks over three years. He also advised her on her stock portfolio, convincing her to drop her broker of 20 years and use his brokerage firm. All the while, he allegedly told Pale not to tell family and friends.

The suit alleges Wolsey received $100,000 dollars for a Jersey Shore condo. It also says that he took church donations and used them for personal use.

Pale died last year and the executive of her state is trying to recoup some of those funds back into her estate. So far, the archdiocese has no comment.



TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: New Jersey; US: New York
KEYWORDS: catholiclist; catholicpriest; crook; eastside; elderabuse; fatherflimflam; frrolex; johnwolsey; monsignor; monsignorjohnwolsey; nyc; priest; revrolex; rolex; thief; worldsworstcrooks
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-91 next last
MSGR. MONEYBAGS
Manhattan monsignor accused of bilking elderly woman of $490,000
Monsignor asked to quit over missing church money; Manhattan DA ...
CHURCH LOU$E
SUIT RIPS $INS OF THE FATHER
SCANDAL PRIEST WAS ROLEX REV.
'PLUNDER' PRIEST GETS THE BOOT

  Churches need to practice good governance too

61 posted on 08/12/2004 6:46:46 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
Lots of smoke. Bound to be some fire here, along with well over a million dollars in bank accounts.

It's either sex or money with some of these guys. Reminds me of a deceased monsignor in north Dallas who always made it to the Masters, the Kentucky Derby, and the Super Bowl. Flew first class everywhere he went, and made six trips a year to Vegas to play poker at the $25 ante tables.

62 posted on 08/12/2004 6:50:18 PM PDT by sinkspur ("Who is the father of the Sons of Zebedee"?--Cardinal Fanfani)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Incorrigible

Like what, a ladder for a paraplegic?


63 posted on 08/12/2004 6:52:44 PM PDT by Old Professer (The harbor master is largely unconcerned with the direction of the tide - only its amplitude.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Looks like a face-lifted smoothy who could charm any number of old ladies out of their life savings.


64 posted on 08/12/2004 7:07:42 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: richmwill

You lose your bet. I'm Catholic, and I got pinged. And this priest is a scumbag. Satisfied?


65 posted on 08/12/2004 7:10:17 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Maybe the lady liked the Monsignor very much and wanted to give him a gift.


66 posted on 08/12/2004 7:16:44 PM PDT by M007
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: NYCVirago

Diocesan priest do not take vows. They promise celibacy, and obedience to their bishop.


67 posted on 08/12/2004 7:18:34 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Notwithstanding

I live about 45 minutes away from St. Meinrad.


68 posted on 08/12/2004 7:20:34 PM PDT by MasonGal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: M007

Maybe you didn't read the articles where the church fired him and the DA is investigating him for stealing from the "church accounts" to the tune of $1 million.


69 posted on 08/12/2004 7:24:02 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
Sorry your right, I did go back and read the article you posted and it looks very damning but:

Woolsey has denied allegations made in the lawsuit, and he has not been charged with any crimes.

I see he has not been charged yet. Who knows?

70 posted on 08/12/2004 8:23:16 PM PDT by M007
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

There were some Catholics here , and in the real world, who felt the story was blown out of proportion and was anti-catholic. There were some who said that the priest "deserved" the money as he took a vow of celibacy! There were also those here who criticised me and hounded me because I claimed that this story would not only pan out to be true, but is actually the tip of the iceberg - in the sense that Woolsey is certainly not the only priest in NYC, or elsewhere, who steals with impunity.

Catholics must stand up for their rights and demand a very strict accounting of parish and diocesan funds. There is the very real need for a finance committee (as directed by Rome)in each parish to manage finances, and protect the interests of the contributors - and to protect the prist from temptation - and from spurious accusations as well! All that free & ready access to money is too much of a temptation for any man!

And again I will say that Woolsey is not the only one with filthy hands in NYC. Those in a position to do so should look closer.


71 posted on 08/12/2004 8:27:43 PM PDT by thor76 (Vade retro, Draco! Crux sacra sit mihi lux!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Old Professer

Yeah, yeah... I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt when this news broke.

Alas, I was too generous with by benefit


72 posted on 08/12/2004 8:40:42 PM PDT by Incorrigible (immanentizing the eschaton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: M007

I see he has not been charged yet. Who knows?>>>

Time will tell...As if the church hasn't suffered enough.


73 posted on 08/12/2004 8:58:27 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: thor76

Catholics or anyone else who cover up a crime are just as guilty and sinful. There are a lot of bishops who will have to answer to God for the cover-ups they committed with the scandal. Even the good priests seem to spend too much money on the church building, etc. always getting it painted when it's really not too bad, buying new vestments when the ones he wears are still nice, and other items used during the liturgy which still look new. It's not their money so they don't care.

I have yet to hear of any church in my diocese or any other diocese to undergo an annual, certified and independent audit. Most non profits have to do it so why not the individual churches?


74 posted on 08/12/2004 9:05:48 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur

Flew first class everywhere he went, and made six trips a year to Vegas to play poker at the $25 ante tables. >>

Some priests live very well, with our money. I know some come from wealthy backgrounds but those are few and far between. There's a pastor by me who belongs to a country club and leaves for his other home on most Fridays returning Sunday morning to celebrate mass.


75 posted on 08/12/2004 9:08:50 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Coleus; Pio; pro Athanasius; ELS; pascendi; Canticle_of_Deborah

I have yet to hear of any church in my diocese or any other diocese to undergo an annual, certified and independent audit. Most non profits have to do it so why not the individual churches?

They do not have certified & independant audits on either the parish or diocesan levels. Cardinal "fast eddie" Egan was responsible for shooting down the concept of such audits for dioceses at the USSBC. Gee.....no big surprise: the worst bastard of a prince of the church want to keep on "living large" and totally unaccountable to his contribuitors!

At the parish level, you at least might have a shot at forcing such an audit - if the pastor permits it (hyterical laughter!). Each parish is supposed to have a Finance Committee with real "teeth" to control, regulate, and oversee parish spending and accounting. In the rare case where such has been implemented, they are ususally run by folks who are appointees of the pastor (or those who kiss his behind), and would not dare to "rock the boat" with sound and open accounting.

All those committees do is usually to "prepare a budget" Uh - huh. And exactly what good does that do, if you don't see the books, bank statements, or sign the checks?


76 posted on 08/14/2004 8:00:28 PM PDT by thor76 (Vade retro, Draco! Crux sacra sit mihi lux!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: thor76

We had a finance committee "once" until one of the members asked our pastor if his mother was able to pick up the phone and dial. The Parish phone bill was very high since the pastor would call his mom in FL almost daily, she would never call him, it's better for us to pay the bill.

After he was questioned, the finance committee seemed to go by the wayside.


77 posted on 08/14/2004 9:07:11 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: thor76
A parish might have a chance of being able to function on its own if the (arch)diocese didn't restrict parish bank accounts or essentially hijack donations parishioners made in their wills. Sure, the donation belongs to the parish, they just can't touch it (and butter doesn't melt in their mouth when they say this). Machiavelli's observations of the power brokers of his time don't hold a candle to the financial operations of today's (arch)dioceses.

The prelates living large is another disgrace entirely. They sure know how to spend other peoples money (usually in multiples of $100,000 or $1,000,000). So much for leading by example.

78 posted on 08/14/2004 9:17:15 PM PDT by ELS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: ELS; Coleus

Technically, each parish is an independant corporation in civil law. But the practical reality is that there is an interlocking directorate. For example, in NY state, the parish corporation has a five man board of directors: president - bishop; vice president - vicar general; secretary/treasurer - pastor; two lay trustees recommended by the pastor & approved by the Bishop.

So - that pretty much sews up the deal. Your parish has its own bank account, but if the pastor doesnt steal, the bishop might through diocesan "assessments" (translated as taxation), forced gifts to the bishop (ala Cardinal Spellman). The then are there is the usary involved in interest bearing "debt" to the bishop (which is amusing, as the money ultimately came from the people of the parish via Diocesan appeals).

The land under the parish buildings would normally be vested in the parish corporation. In the Arch of NY, Cardinal Spellman literally forced all parishes to sell him all the buildings for $1 each! This in effect means that in any lawsuit, against the Archdiocese, each and all of the various parish buildings in all 415 parishes can be counted as assets of the Archdiocese!

Its a sure game - like three card monte, you lose every time. And if the bishop feels like suppressing (translated; closing) the parish, watch the assets disappear without a trace - even restricted endowments! When parishes merge, a lot of guys wearing Roman collars tend to help themselves.

I could easily cite numerous examples, but in general, if it is an "ethnic" (other then Irish) parish which is suppressed, it usually has money, as its members usually gave very well. And we all know of Bishops who love money.


79 posted on 08/14/2004 11:02:03 PM PDT by thor76 (Vade retro, Draco! Crux sacra sit mihi lux!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: eastsider

Hear any more news about this case?


80 posted on 07/09/2005 3:13:22 PM PDT by Coleus ("Woe unto him that call evil good and good evil"-- Isaiah 5:20-21)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-91 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson