Philly priest charged with stealing $500k for concerts, dinners, casinos

Philadelphia, Pa., Apr 7, 2017 / 15:07 pm

A Philadelphia monsignor is being charged with embezzling more than half a million dollars from the priests' home where he served as rector, and using that money on lavish dinners, casino visits and Philadelphia Pops concerts.

Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania have charged Msgr. William A. Dombrow, 77, with four counts of wire fraud.

Over the course of nine years, he allegedly siphoned off some $535,000 from the Villa St. Joseph, a church-owned retirement home for elderly priests and those who have been stripped of ministerial faculties after being found credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors.

Prosecutors say he had sole access to the account for the facility in Delaware County, "which was funded by gifts from wills and life insurance proceeds that were intended for the archdiocese."

Last summer, the archdiocese was alerted by Sharon Savings Bank to irregular activity taking place in the Villa account.

Archdiocese officials said the account was immediately frozen, and Msgr. Dombrow's faculties and responsibilities were restricted.

Msgr. Dombrow's lawyer, Coley Reynolds, said in a statement that the priest is "deeply and sincerely remorseful…of his conduct." According to CBS, Reynolds emphasized that Msgr. Dombrow is cooperating with the investigation and "hopes to someday redeem himself."

The priest is charged in a manner that indicates he is cooperating.

He is expected to plead guilty and could face a sentence of up to 80 years in prison, in addition to fines.