this post was submitted on 30 Apr 2024
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A Catholic priest allegedly spent $40,000 of church money on Candy Crush and slot machine apps.

A Pennsylvania Catholic priest was accused of stealing $40,000 from a parish and using the money to play games on his phone. According to CBS News, citing a criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause, Lawrence Kozak allegedly spent over $214,000 on his Apple ID, with just under $44,000 of that amount charged to a credit card associated with the parish.

Authorities claim he racked-up the charges over a three year span, using the some of the cash to play games like Candy Crush Saga, Pokémon Go and virtual slot machines, according to the network.

The network noted that these apps do not award real money for wins in the game, but allow you to spend actual money to play. According to CBS, Kozak described spending money on his slot apps as "powering up" instead of gambling.

Kozak's Amazon account was also reviewed and it was found that he allegedly used the parish card to buy gifts for his goddaughter, which included a chemistry set and an Amazon Fire tablet, per the network.

According to CBS, the parish's business manager noted that it wasn't the first time there was alleged erroneous spending at the church. Per the network, Monsignor Joseph McLoone resigned from St. Joseph Church in 2018 after he was accused and later pleaded guilty to stealing thousands in parish funds to pay for a beach house at the Jersey Shore, pad his salary and send money to men.

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[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 48 points 6 months ago (2 children)

A priest raping children? Tell the bishop. He'll take care of it.

A priest stealing from the church? CALL THE FUCKING COPS RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

[–] Eggyhead@kbin.run 16 points 6 months ago

Well you see, this time the priest was fiddling with money, which is more important than people.

[–] livus@kbin.social 29 points 6 months ago

Poor guy. As far as addictions go that one doesn't sound very rewarding.

No sex, drugs, cash, or even cool memories.

[–] Exusia@lemmy.world 15 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

But noone is asking how the fuck you can spend $44,000 on videogames that aren't beholden to gambling laws.

But that's none of my business.

Also hold on that last sentence says "and sent money to men" and then straight up does not elaborate lmao

[–] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 6 points 6 months ago

and then straight up does not elaborate lmao

Sometimes leaving it to the imagination says much more.

[–] PCurd@feddit.uk 5 points 6 months ago

Amazingly he didn’t spend $44,000 - he spent a total of $214,000!

FTA: According to CBS News, citing a criminal complaint and affidavit of probable cause, Lawrence Kozak allegedly spent over $214,000 on his Apple ID, with just under $44,000 of that amount charged to a credit card associated with the parish.

[–] Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 12 points 6 months ago

What, erroneous spending? Surely it was all part of God's plan unless you're suggesting predatory app design is enough to undermine the will of God.

[–] Atin@lemmy.world 11 points 6 months ago

If only the church had some sort of commandment about when it is appropriate to steal stuff.

[–] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 11 points 6 months ago

Hey there were much worse things he could have spent the money on. Such as covering up child rape.

pad his salary and send money to men.

Hehe

[–] ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world 7 points 6 months ago

And he didn’t even get overtime for playing Candy Crush like NYPD officers get when they stand around waiting for their next chance to have a police riot.

[–] Legend@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 6 months ago

Rare candy crush W stealing god's money .

[–] Bobmighty@lemmy.world 5 points 6 months ago

Oh look, a greedy dip shit with gambling issues fucks over the "flock". I'm only surprised they didn't get dinged for molesting a kid too.

[–] EdanGrey@sh.itjust.works 4 points 6 months ago

Something purposely spent is not 'erroneous', it's embezzlement!

[–] Fedizen@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

tax exemptions for religions should be eliminated or capped at a dollar amount. They should have caught this far earlier.

[–] Heni_meat_smasher_69@ani.social -3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

40k is nothing why is this even news?

[–] FenrirIII@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

Clicks for the Click God!