BELVIDERE | The former pastor accused of stealing more than $600,000 from charity denied wrongdoing after his initial court appearance Thursday and said the accusations tell just one side. Authorities allege the Rev. Robert Ascolese spent some of the stolen money on himself and some went back to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Washington. Ascolese appeared in handcuffs before Superior Court Judge John Pursel as his attorney entered a not guilty plea to a long list of theft and records-tampering charges. The priest, affectionately known to his former parishioners as "Father Bob," is accused of stealing more than $600,000 from...
