Priest Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case
Pastor Dale Morgan
Priest Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case*
Thursday September 13, 2007 1:46 AM
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Associated Press Writer
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A now former priest pleaded guilty Wednesday to
stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church by setting up
secret bank accounts to pay for a life of luxury, including traveling
around the world and buying a condominium.
The Rev. Michael Jude Fay, who resigned last year as pastor of St. John
Roman Catholic Church, pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of
money obtained by fraud. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000
fine and must pay restitution.
Prosecutors said Fay took between $1 million and $2.5 million over seven
years, but the priest has disputed that. He admitted taking between
$400,000 and $1 million.
``It's my understanding, your honor, that I used church monies, parish
monies for means and for needs other than means and needs of the parish
or the parishioners of the parish,'' Fay, dressed in a dark suit with a
bandage on his hand, said in court. ``My understanding is that it's by
fraud.''
Fay 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, according
to an investigative report released last year by the Bridgeport Diocese.
He spent tens of thousands of dollars on home furnishings and meals and
more than $20,000 to mark the 25th anniversary of his ordination, the
report said.
He also bought a condominium in Florida with another man. Federal
investigators said Fay also spent money to buy a condominium in
Philadelphia.
Fay and his attorney, Lawrence Hopkins, declined to comment outside
court. In the hearing, Fay said he had undergone chemotherapy for
prostate cancer but the treatment was not working.
He was released on a $50,000 bond; sentencing is set for Dec. 4.
The diocese thanked federal authorities for investigating the case.
``We pray that today's announcement will help the Saint John Parish
community put a sad chapter of its history behind it and finalize the
healing process,'' the diocese said in a statement.
Fay remains unauthorized to function as a priest, church officials said.
The parish has received restitution in the form of cash, real estate,
and personal property worth about a few hundred thousand dollars, church
officials said.