The Parish of St. Bernadette in Winnipeg, Manitoba was defrauded roughly $370k, resulting in the jail time of Leo McCaughan, according to CBC News.
McCaughan, 41 years of age, has been sentenced to 22 months in jail, after confessing to defrauding the church of $370k. He had already pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000.
McCaughan had done various acts to acquire the money from the church. A range including writing 112 cheques to himself, under the guise of donations, or fees through the church, written in the ledger, he would also take donations that the church would gather through services. When asked about his newly acquired wealth and lifestyle he McCaughan explained he had come into an inheritance. He spent the money on expensive travelling, paying off his bills and buying gifts for friends.
After confessing to his crime, his defence lawyer argues on his behalf that McCaughan had exceptional circumstances. The lawyer explained that McCaughan’s crimes were due to the sexual harassment he suffered at the hands of a priest in his late 20’s.
Judge Fred Sandhu countered that claim with the lack of the court providing no basis to support the claim.
McCaughan was sentenced to 22 months of jail time. Though he paid back all the money he stole showing great remorse, and agreed to extensive therapy, Judge Sandhu states that the amount of time given in jail is fair. Sandhu also states that there is nothing more a person can do to show how sorry they are.