Priests in Florida Stole Millions, Police Say

Police arrested a Roman Catholic priest in South Florida this week, charging him with stealing millions from the church, and are searching for another who they believe stole an unspecified amount of money to pay for gambling trips to Las Vegas and the Bahamas, reports The Associated Press.

Msgr. John Skehan, 79, who was pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, in Delray Beach, is accused of stealing $8.6-million to pay for property and other assets, the news service reports. Monsignor Skehan’s lawyer said the amount of the theft was inflated, and estimated the amount to be about $325,000.

Officials are also looking for his successor, The Rev. Francis Guinan, who is also suspected of theft. An anonymous tip in June 2005 led police and the church to investigate the two.

The Diocese of Palm Beach placed the two men on administrative leave until the criminal matter is resolved.