A Berks County judge
showed no mercy Thursday when sentencing a former Roman Catholic priest
to two to seven years in state prison for stealing $425,000 from a
Millmont church between February 1998 and 2009 to lead a lavish
lifestyle.Judge Scott D. Keller said that Richard Nachajski, 66, now of York, does not deserve a break. He then imposed a sentence harsher than prosecutors had requested.
Nachajski pleaded guilty to stealing money from St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church accounts.
Just before sentencing, Nachajski said he has been burdened with regret.
"If incarcerated how could I volunteer to help an elderly friend shovel a driveway?" Nachajski said. "I stand before you in fear of my safety. A prisoner offers nothing to society."
Nachajski asked for a chance to provide community service instead of prison. But Keller said he did not see any genuine remorse.
"You were the priest of this parish," Keller said. "You betrayed their trust. You do not resonate with strength of true remorse."
Assistant District Attorney Joseph R. Speece had asked for a sentence of one to seven years.
Speece said that Nachajski took money to pay for lavish trips.
Speece said the church has since recovered $350,000 from insurance.
Nachajski's lawyer, Mary C. Favinger, had asked Keller for a sentence of lengthy probation or a short prison term.
"He stands before the court to accept his punishment," Favinger said. "He is an educated man. He is a spiritual mentor. Near the end of his vocation as a priest, Richard struggled with being human. He fell in love with a woman."