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Gambling addiction can happen to anyone, even holy men. Reverend John F. Regan was working as a priest for the St. Walter parish for many years and during the time of his priest hood, he robbed his parish to fund his gambling habit as well as prostitutes, alcohol and drugs. Regan was hired on at the parish in the summer of 2006 and when he was hired on the accounting books were cleared and started over. This gave Regan the perfect opportunity to steal funds and steal he did! Regan now faces fifteen years in prison for his crimes.
It took two years before Regan was found to be stealing from the parish. By the end of 2008 the parish found a discrepancy in their books. Church officials found a big difference in the amount of donation money and the amount deposited in 2008. This is when they began to suspect the priest.
According to online source, Casino Gambling News, the parish was supposed to have $302,520 in donations but only $2,000 was accounted for. There of course was a paper trail and it led right to the Regan.
The priest eventually admitted that he had taken over $300,000 which was ninety nine percent of the donations taken in. he was placing the money in his personal bank account. He admitted to spending the money at casinos playing blackjack, as well as spending nights with prostitutes, taking drugs and drinking alcohol.
The reverend was stealing cash on a daily basis and receipts were found from an ATM where Regan was using the cash in strip clubs as well as a riverboat casino. The reverend found he had a thing for blackjack and tended to hit the tables on a regular basis.
Years after the crime occurred, the priest is now facing jail time. Just this month, the reverend pled guilty in court and he will most likely face a fifteen year prison term for his actions.
2011-06-30
