The CFO Plays - and the Laity Pays!
"The former chief financial officer of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland used money put into church collection baskets to pay for a Florida condo, his children's tuition and a resort membership under a $784,000 kickback scheme, according to charges filed Wednesday (Aug 16)."
This was reported in the Aug 17 Cleveland, Ohio Plain Dealer, in an article titled, "Former Diocese CFO Charged in Kickback Case." The article continued:
"Joseph Smith was the highest-ranking lay employee at the diocese before he resigned in 2004. He was charged with 23 counts, including conspiracy, mail fraud, money laundering and obstruction in US District Court."
(BTW – Later in 2004, Smith was hired as the CFO of the Columbus, Ohio diocese!! It must be nice to be in tight with the Catholic clergy.)
"Anton Zgoznik, Smith's friend and former diocesan employee, was charged with 15 counts, including conspiracy, money laundering, mail fraud and obstructing."
"Prosecutors said that from 1996 through 2003, Smith approved more than $17.5 million in inflated payments from the diocese to companies owned by Zgoznik. Some of the money, which was said to be for 'consulting services,' was diverted to Smith and Zgoznik."
"The spokesman for the Cleveland diocese...expressed sympathy for Smith: 'We pray for a just resolution and for Mr. Smith and his family.'"
Interestingly, the spokesman expressed NO SYMPATHY for the "faithful" who've had their diocese robbed of all this money!
Question – Why does God have to use the secular media to expose the wicked nature of the Catholic Church?
Answer – Because most Protestant and Evangelical pastors are too afraid to.
Therefore, more than ever I thank God for Dr Ian Paisley and the Free Presbyterian Church – a church with pastors not afraid to stand up to Rome.
This was reported in the Aug 17 Cleveland, Ohio Plain Dealer, in an article titled, "Former Diocese CFO Charged in Kickback Case." The article continued:
"Joseph Smith was the highest-ranking lay employee at the diocese before he resigned in 2004. He was charged with 23 counts, including conspiracy, mail fraud, money laundering and obstruction in US District Court."
(BTW – Later in 2004, Smith was hired as the CFO of the Columbus, Ohio diocese!! It must be nice to be in tight with the Catholic clergy.)
"Anton Zgoznik, Smith's friend and former diocesan employee, was charged with 15 counts, including conspiracy, money laundering, mail fraud and obstructing."
"Prosecutors said that from 1996 through 2003, Smith approved more than $17.5 million in inflated payments from the diocese to companies owned by Zgoznik. Some of the money, which was said to be for 'consulting services,' was diverted to Smith and Zgoznik."
"The spokesman for the Cleveland diocese...expressed sympathy for Smith: 'We pray for a just resolution and for Mr. Smith and his family.'"
Interestingly, the spokesman expressed NO SYMPATHY for the "faithful" who've had their diocese robbed of all this money!
Question – Why does God have to use the secular media to expose the wicked nature of the Catholic Church?
Answer – Because most Protestant and Evangelical pastors are too afraid to.
Therefore, more than ever I thank God for Dr Ian Paisley and the Free Presbyterian Church – a church with pastors not afraid to stand up to Rome.
posted by Robt. B. at 8:47 AM
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