A popular Catholic priest known for his devotion to his parish and work with the homeless, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison on Friday, after he used parish funds for gambling.
Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, 59, who was parish priest at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, was convicted of taking $650,000 (£424,000) to support his gambling habit.
In October, McAuliffe pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud and falsifying documents sent to the archdiocese in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was also removed from his parish and stripped of duties to the diocese.
In his defence, his lawyer Margaret Stanish said Fr McAuliffe had been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and depression, but in recent months had been receiving gambling addiction treatment, and had been doing well.
“Some supporters see the potential for something good to come from the realization that their trusted spiritual leader also suffers from human frailty, a frailty that merits forgiveness in accordance with their religious beliefs,” she wrote.
She pointed out that Fr McAuliffe had also begun returning the money to his parish since May and had already paid back $13,420.
But US District Judge James C Mahan who sentenced the priest was not persuaded by the defence. He focussed on the length of time the deception has gone on and told the priest he had abused his position of trust.
Fr McAuliffe offered a remorseful apology, AP reported, saying he felt "guilt, shame and self-loathing''.
Dozens of parishioners came to the court to support Fr McAuliffe. Karen Kinney wrote in a letter to the court: “I speak for myself and many from our very large congregation, that we are sorry for what Fr Kevin has done, but all the good that he has done for all of us over these many years has outweighed the sin of taking the money from our Church."
Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe, 59, who was parish priest at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, was convicted of taking $650,000 (£424,000) to support his gambling habit.
In October, McAuliffe pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud and falsifying documents sent to the archdiocese in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was also removed from his parish and stripped of duties to the diocese.
In his defence, his lawyer Margaret Stanish said Fr McAuliffe had been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and depression, but in recent months had been receiving gambling addiction treatment, and had been doing well.
“Some supporters see the potential for something good to come from the realization that their trusted spiritual leader also suffers from human frailty, a frailty that merits forgiveness in accordance with their religious beliefs,” she wrote.
She pointed out that Fr McAuliffe had also begun returning the money to his parish since May and had already paid back $13,420.
But US District Judge James C Mahan who sentenced the priest was not persuaded by the defence. He focussed on the length of time the deception has gone on and told the priest he had abused his position of trust.
Fr McAuliffe offered a remorseful apology, AP reported, saying he felt "guilt, shame and self-loathing''.
Dozens of parishioners came to the court to support Fr McAuliffe. Karen Kinney wrote in a letter to the court: “I speak for myself and many from our very large congregation, that we are sorry for what Fr Kevin has done, but all the good that he has done for all of us over these many years has outweighed the sin of taking the money from our Church."