Sunday, October 18, 2009

Local Priest Sentenced; Will Not go to Jail

Original article
By Julie Fine
WKBW-TV
updated 11:22 a.m. ET Oct. 7, 2009

Buffalo, NY (WKBW) -- Father Norman Sullivan walked into court with his attorney. It was a quick appearance, but the punishment will take a lot more time. 5 years probation, and one thousand hours community service. Sullivan had no comment when he left.

The Erie County District Attorney's office found that Sullivan stole more than 200 thousand dollars from his own parish, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Cheektowaga, during an eight year period, taking both cash and checks.

"When you give us the tools to investigate those kind of cases we will investigate it. We had got some extra money from the county. We used it to get a forensic accountant," said Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita.

Sullivan has since paid the church back.

Today in court, Sullivan's lawyer says he can no longer say mass or wear the collar, and that is the worst punishment he can receive. Sullivan himself spoke in open court saying "I am truly sorry for the folly I created", and added, "I am disgraced and embarrassed."

State Supreme Court Justice Russell Buscaglia said, "I am at a loss to explain why you did what you did," but spared him jail time and instead sentenced probation and 1000 hours of community service. District Attorney Frank Sedita thinks the sentence is fair and appropriate

"I am not the judge but he has no criminal record. He paid all of the money back. He confessed after we confronted him with everything. He is in his seventies," said Sedita.

We contacted the Buffalo Catholic Diocese, and we're told the Buffalo Catholic Diocese takes no position on sentencing, but that Father Sullivan remains suspended from priestly ministry indefinitely.


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