Where Angels Fear To Tread
From a Freedom of Information Act request, it is known that the on May 30, 2007 the “Confidential - Audit of St. Dunstan Parish, Garden City” was completed by the AOD.
From the letter read to parishioners by Bishop Reiss, it is known that the finalized audit was turned over to the Garden City Police Department on September 21st, 2007.
On February 07, 2008 Ned McGrath of the AOD claimed in an article in Hometown Life that the audit was still open. He suggested that there were questions about the legitimacy of certain reimbursements that Father Don received from the parish. He interjected “the AOD still needs to meet with Father Demmer to determine exactly what is personal vs. parish expense.” If the questions about expenses were legitimate, the AOD should have spoken to Father Don about them before going to the press. As well, if these questions remained, the AOD auditors would have never signed off on the May 30, 2007 audit.
The expenses supposedly in question were already satisfactorily addressed in the original audit. They included over 5 years of school and parish purchases charged to Father’s personal credit card by school and parish staff - for office supplies, maintenance supplies, computer equipment, religious education supplies, staff luncheons, the 20 TVs and VCRs acquired for the school classrooms, etc.
In the Spring of 2007, it was Father Don who discovered the embezzlement and requested an audit of parish finances. It was Father Don who wrote a letter to parishioners detailing the alleged embezzlement (and which was quashed by Ned McGrath.) It was Father Don who voluntarily handed over his personal financial records to the AOD auditors. It was Father Don who requested the involvement of the Garden City Police. The AOD wanted to settle things in a back-alley deal, something like the early pedophilia cases.
Even though the Wayne County Prosecutor declared “the investigation did not support any criminal charges against Demmer,” the Prosecutor and the AOD continue their assault on the reputation of Father Don. Why would those seriously pursuing a criminal conviction against an alleged embezzler discredit their most important witness in the case, Father Don? Are they setting the stage for a plea deal?
An embezzlement trial would be a major public embarrassment for the AOD and one which could negatively impact future financial contributions by parishioners. The AOD knows an aggressive defense attorney will be able to get information during a deposition and trial which they would otherwise like to keep hidden.
- The defense attorney will want to know more about the +$30,000,000 annual budget of the AOD and how the money is spent, accounted for and who has access to accounts. He will want to show how things are operated fast and loose inside the AOD.
- The attorney will want to establish the lack of public oversight in how parishioner’s donations are spent and accounted for - like the Cardinal’s pet project in Washington D.C. or the Saint John’s Seminary development.
- He will dig into financial transactions, asking if diocesan funds are ever spent on personal expenses of employees, like box seats at the DSO, business/first class tickets to Europe, golf memberships, health club memberships, redecorating, and luxurious retirement apartments. He will attempt to establish in court that the AOD regularly spends church funds on personal expenses of staff.
- He will ask what other parishes or religious organizations within the AOD have had embezzlement, missing funds, and/or tax problems. He will ask how others alleged of wrongdoing were treated. How many were charged criminally? What deals were cut to keep things quiet?
- He will ask about AOD policy on financial training and certification for pastors and staff? How many have not received certification?
- He will inquire why the Regional Bishop and AOD accountants signed off on the St. Dunstan annual budgets and financial statements during the entire period of the embezzlement.
- He will ask whether an insurance claim for the alleged embezzled funds was filed with AOD insurance company, Bassett-Gallagher? Was the money deposited in the Saint Dunstan parish account or the AOD general fund? Did the insurance money become part of the AOD loan to the parish?
Eight months ago Saint Dunstan was a model parish. People came from far and wide to attend the masses of Father Don. The spirit of the parish was one of hope, love, care and concern. The parish community was strong, generous and accepting of all who came to share in the love of God. Without hesitation, the AOD struck our community and our pastor in an attempt to destroy it. How far will they go to ”win?” The AOD is going where angels fear to tread.
Upcoming Town Hall Meeting: There are plans underway by Catholics for Justice to hold a town hall style meeting for parish members and friends of Saint Dunstan. This will be an opportunity for an update on issues, to ask questions, hear guest speakers and review documents related to the investigation. A time and location will be announced soon.
Continued Prayers: Please remember to pray for Father Don and remember him with your notes and letters.
Pictures are at http://flickr.com/photos/fatherdon/sets