Because the funds were to be restored, the archdiocese decided not to press criminal charges. All rights reserved. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our Privacy Policy. Investigators determined the money went to accounts the school didnt know about, Kumar said. Kreuper retired as principal of St. James' Catholic School in 2018, after holding that position for 28 years. This was a manifestation of greed, Kumar said, adding that the nun had abused the trust of the community. As a Catholic nun, Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper had taken a vow of poverty. Court documents show that she also oversaw the St. James Convent Account, a savings account that funded the living expenses of the nuns who worked at the school. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, who took a vow of poverty, begged a judge to show her mercy and spare her prison, saying: "I have sinned, I've broken the law and I have no excuses." She called her crimes a "violation of my vows, my commandments, the law and, above all, the sacred trust that so many had placed in me". Claiming mental illness at her age is a play for probation or the ability to serve her sentence at home. 2022 Blaze Media LLC. Yes, a Nun Has Admitted to Embezzling $835,000 from a Catholic School Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering for her role in a scheme to defraud a. The pair confessed to using the funds for gambling excursions to Las Vegas and other spending sprees. The money she stole was used to pay off credit card charges and "large gambling expenses incurred at casinos", the US attorney's office said. Months after Kreuper admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars, the 80-year-old was sentenced on Monday to a year and a day in federal prison. This time the question is whether lay teachers at parochial schools are exempt from the nation's fair employment laws. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, who worked as the school principal for 28 years, and Sister Lana Chang, a teacher at the school for 20 years, reportedly bilked the funds over a period of at least a . James School, before tapping the funds for personal use. Sister Mary Margaret and Sister Lana have expressed to me and asked that I convey to you, the deep remorse they each feel for their actions and ask for your forgiveness and prayers, Meyers wrote in a letter to parents on Nov. 28. James Convent instead of St. "These teachers taught the Catholic faith to these kids more than the parish priest," putting them squarely within the so-called ministerial exception, he says. She became principal at St. James Catholic School, about 20 miles outside downtown Los Angeles, in 1990. Ultimately, "they are not people we understand to be spiritual leaders of the church.". The principal allegedly withheld some of the checks and deposited them into the other account, endorsing the back with a stamp that read, St. She wanted more than she had.. For the second time in as many weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court is tackling a major religion case. In the audio, as well as in a previous Web version, of this story, we incorrectly say the fourth-grade teacher in a 2012 case was ordained as a minister. Mary Margaret Kreuper (Image source: KTTV-TV video screenshot). ", "Just as teaching science out of a fifth-grade textbook doesn't make them scientists, teaching religion for 40 minutes a day out of a workbook doesn't make them ministers," he says. var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; The tuition checks and funds sent to St. James Catholic School between 2008 and 2018 that were stolen by Kreuper equaled the tuition of 14 different students per year, prosecutors said. Well, Sister Mary Margaret didnt quite stay true to her vow. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, a former principal at St James Catholic School in Torrance, California, used tuition fees and donations to subsidize casino gambling expenses and credit card payments, the authorities said. I promised her I would see this through," he says. But somewhere along the line, you just ran completely off the road, and I think you understand that. Her husband, Darryl Biel, remembers that day vividly. In June 2021, several local, national, and international news outlets reported that a nun in California had admitted, and was preparing to plead guilty to, embezzling $835,000 from the Catholic school she ran for three decades. Thanks for contacting us. She would endorse the checks with a stamp saying St. Sister Mary Margaret was caught in 2018. Sister Mary is not full of grace. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. I was wrong, and Im profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering Ive caused so many people., Despite her vow of poverty, nun stole more than $835,000 from a Catholic school, prosecutors said. By Megan Carpentier. It's very disturbing. The sisters later confessed to using the funds for themselves. The judge settled on a prison sentence of one year and a day and also ordered Kreuper to pay back the money she had stolen from the school. (RNS) Recently Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, a Catholic nun who stole $835,000 from a Catholic elementary school in Torrance, California, was sent to prison for a year and ordered to pay the . Investigators described a system in which Kreuper handled all checks made out to the school for tuition and fees before handing them over to bookkeeping staff for processing. Kumar said the nuns instruction to the auditors sparked suspicion, and they reported the incident to Msgr. She admitted to taking a total of $835,000 in donations from the elementary school, and faces up to 40 years in federal prison. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced without permission. But this week, prosecutors said Sister Mary Margaret, 79, had agreed to plead guilty to stealing more than. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, who worked as the school principal for 28 years, and Sister Lana Chang, a teacher at the school for 20 years, reportedly bilked the funds over a period of at least a decade, the Press-Telegram reported. The embezzlement helped to fuel her gambling habit. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on Tuesday and has agreed to a plea deal, according to a release from the U.S. attorneys office for the Central District of California. She's obviously not employable.". Shes very, very remorseful and very ashamed, he said. The scheme was uncovered during an audit after Kreuper retired in 2018. Kreuper belongs to the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She is looking forward to getting on with life and will get treatment for her gambling addiction, he said. Rather, he said, she is religiously trained and a commissioned minister of the church. For years, St. James parents were told that the school was cash-strapped and unable to upgrade textbooks that were 20 years old, fund field trips or simply install an awning for the outdoor lunch area. As soon as she was confronted, she accepted full responsibility for what she had done and she has cooperated completely with law enforcement and the archdiocese, the statement said, adding that she has been suffering from a mental illness that clouded her judgment. The rich uncle was the parents of the St. James students., The school monsignor has since sent out a letter in which the nuns asked that i convey to you the deep remorse they each feel for their actions and ask for your forgiveness and prayers.. The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006. The 80-year-old nun pleaded for mercy after stealing $835,339 from an elementary Catholic school to fund her gambling addiction.. 66 is still a fairly competent age. Her embezzlement activities took place from about 2008-2018. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. We do know that they had a pattern of going on trips, we do know they had a pattern of going to casinos, and the reality is, they used the account as their personal account, Marge Graf, an attorney representing St. James, told a group of parents at a meeting in 2018. Kreuper did not recognize she had a gambling problem until she was accused of embezzling more than $835,000 from the school, Byrne said. Sister Lana Chang, a vice principal who was initially implicated in the scheme, was not charged. The Archdiocese appears to have now changed course-with ABC Newsreporting a criminal case may now be in the works following deepening investigations. "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=47402'; This large chunk of stolen money came as the St. James Catholic School was operating under tight budgets with small concerns that the finances could not continue to keep the door open. Indeed, he observes, they would be exempt not just from anti-discrimination laws, but also laws that protect individuals from retaliation when they report misbehavior to authorities, and laws imposing wage and hour regulations. Rassbach will tell the Supreme Court that not everyone who works at a religious school or institution is exempt from these laws. But they asserted that the courts should dismiss the cases because the teachers were essentially ministers, and thus were not protected under the federal employment laws. Julija Garunkstis, a St. James mother who attended the school between 2005 and 2014, said Kreuper had shaken her faith. "As soon as she was confronted she accepted full responsibility for what she had done and she has cooperated completely with law enforcement and the Archdiocese,the pair said in a joint statement. Officials made the discovery in June after performing a routine audit following Kreupers retirement. Ultimately, he argues, the schools consider the teachers to be performing an important religious function, and therefore, they can be fired for any reason because they are not subject to the nation's fair employment laws. Her husband said that in her final days, the couple talked extensively about the case. Kristen Biel would return to teaching elsewhere while fighting her case in court, but in June 2019, she died. Sister Mary Margaret became a nun when she turned 18 in 1960 and took a vow of poverty. Maybe if she had used her poker face to see more success in Vegas, she wouldnt have been in this position to begin with. Of course, at 79, the likelihood that Sister Mary Margaret will see any jail time is relatively slim. Kreuper pleaded guilty last July. The Torrancepair used the money for vacations and gambling at the casino while telling parents that the school was on a tight budget. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering after she admitted to investigators that she embezzled hundreds of thousands of. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges. Kreuper, 79, was charged Tuesday with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, and in a plea agreement pleaded guilty to both charges, the Associated Press reported. They have been removed from their residence, placed in a religious house under the supervision of community leadership, and their freedom of movement is confined.". A spokesperson with St. James did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Similar articles were published by the Los Angeles Times, KTLA, and Unilad.co.uk. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper admits to stealing over $835k from a Catholic School. This is because, as part of the plea deal, the prosecutors have agreed to recommend to the court an "offense level" of 25 for Kreuper's crimes, and will further advise the court to reduce that to 23, or even 22. After much public outcry to pursue legal action, the archdiocese hired a former FBI agent to investigate the two nuns. Ive used this to teach my son that were all human, we all make mistakes, but the power of forgiveness is the most powerful tool that we have.. The auditor found that tuition checks, fees and donations were being deposited into a bank account not used by the school. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, of Los Angeles, was sentenced Monday to one year and one day for fraud and money laundering charges. Deadly France Christmas market shooting probed as terror a 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting, Family raises 250-pound 'dog' for 2 years then realizes it's a bear, Influencer refuses to switch business class seats so family can sit together, 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards: Lana Del Ray, Kim Petras, & more, RHOA star Drew Sidora accuses ex Ralph Pittman of cheating, mental abuse, Original Gone With The Wind script reveals secret war over slavery, cut scenes, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Sunny Hostin Points Finger at China for COVID Crisis: Did Not Cooperate With the International Community, 'Disgraceful' Meghan, Harry 'provoked' King Charles to evict them: royal expert. In doing so, she agreed to plead guilty to: The money laundering charge relates to an episode in 2017, in which Kreuper improperly deposited checks from parents of pupils at the school into a convent bank account, rather than the school's bank account, then later used the convent account to write a $6,000 check to another unnamed person who subsequently cashed the check and gave Kreuper $6,000 in cash "so she could gamble in Nevada.". For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The 79-year-old former nun pleaded guilty to federal charges for stealing more than $800,000 from St. James Catholic School earlier this month. He added, Its not meant as an excuse. She is expected to report to prison by June, Byrne said, and will be released in 2023. According to Newstalk.com, the school indicated in a letter to parents at the time that they did not want to pursue criminal charges against the duo, after they both expressed "desire and inten[t] to make complete restitution to St. James School.". Kreuper, he said, quoting an expert, was addicted to gambling, adding that it "is not an excuse for what she did merely an explanation". Bank records show Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper and Sister Lana Chang had been embezzling funds from St. James Catholic School in Torrance for at least a decade, the Press-Telegram reported. As principal of St. James Catholic School, she oversaw the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees as well as charitable donations. The nun took frequent gambling trips to Las Vegas and holidays to Lake Tahoe and other locations in southern California, according to Poonam Kumar, the assistant US attorney. Kreuper took fellow nuns on some of those trips and spent thousands of the primary school's money. Around the same time, a St. James parent asked question at a school meeting about an old tuition check that had an endorsement on the back of check that did not line up with the schools primary account, the prosecutor said. The vow leads a nun to imitate Jesus, who for our sake became poor, although he was rich. His . Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, a former principal at St James Catholic School in Torrance, California, used tuition fees and donations to subsidize casino gambling expenses and credit card. A federal judge sentenced Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, a nun and former Catholic school principal, to a year in prison for embezzling more than $835,000 from the school she ran to fund a more secular lifestyle including gambling trips. Kreuper was 18 years old when she took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, her lawyers told the Post. My actions were in violation of my vows, my commandments, the law and, above all, the sacred trust that so many had placed in me. A now-retired nun has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $800,000 from the St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California, from 2008 to 2018, the last decade of her 28-year tenure as principal of the institution. Prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of . Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? 2023 Blaze Media LLC. znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr); Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, admitted stealing the money from St James Catholic School in the L.A. suburb of Torrance, where she was school principal for nearly 30 years. Earlier in June, the former principal of St. James School was charged with wire fraud and money laundering. The Rev. Each time, Kreuper had the same response to the community, according to the Times: How do you expect to pay for it? All the while, Kreuper spoke openly about her gambling trips, saying her vice principals wealthy relatives funded the casino excursions to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe, prosecutors say. Margaret Mary Kreuper and Sister Lana Chang were accused of embezzling tuition, fees, and donations made in favor of St. James Catholic School to fund their gambling trips (Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet) Kreuper is also accused of directing St. James School employees to alter and destroy financial records during a school audit. He said he could not bring himself to judge Kreuper solely on "the worst thing that she's done in her life", the LA Times said. By that math, Sister Mary Margaret was only 66 when the behavior began. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Nun stops burglary with quick thinking and prayers: This is Gods property, Sister Andre, the worlds oldest living person, dies at 118, I was a celibate nun for 24 years then fell in love with a Catholic monk, Priest accused of inviting two nuns to take part in a threesome. A federal appeals court ruled against the schools, which appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sister Mary Margaret became a nun when she turned 18 in 1960 and took a vow of poverty. 5 Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering Credit: KCAL 9 5 It is "telling," in these cases, he says, that the "teachers did not even have to be Catholic to have these jobs.". After taking a vow of poverty, her excuse for lavish gambling expenses is hilarious. Is A Hot Dog A Sandwich? Southern California authorities have revealed two nuns allegedly embezzling up to $500K which was parlayed into gambling jaunts in Las Vegas. The DOJ noted that Kreuper had diverted the school funds to pay for expenses that the order [of nuns] would not have approved. Among the expenses Kreuper accrued were those from casinos and credit card charges. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet confirm that today the judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles has sentenced our Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, CSJ to one year and one day in federal prison followed by two years' supervised release. An 80-year-old nun who gambled away more than $835,000 in school funds was sentenced to twelve months and a day in federal prison Monday, according to a press release from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The schools denied that Morrissey-Berru and Biel were fired for discriminatory reasons. Sister Mary Margaret was making bank (very illegally) through laundering and threw everyone off of the scent by reminding them of her vow of poverty. Mary Margaret Kreuper of Los Angeles was sentenced to one year and a day in prison after pleading guilty in July 2021 to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, according. It turns out that at the time Kristen Biel learned she had breast cancer, Kreuper, the school principal who fired her, was embezzling large amounts of money to go on gambling sprees in Las Vegas. The second suit was brought by Kristen Biel against St. James School in Torrance. I, for one, absolutely love this move. His findings unraveled the entire scheme and, eventually, federal charges were levied against Sister Mary Margaret. "I wanted to face them. It wasnt until the house of cards came crashing down that she realized what she had done and started to go therapy, where she realized this addiction was a contributing factor. Told one parent, We were an ATM, and people know it and they wont ask for justice., The embezzlement and the churchs seeming reluctance to act has led to some locals saying the scandal underscores a failure of church leadership- while also noting that only a police investigation can be trusted.. Kreuper as the school's principal, handled all tuition payments, with the sister depositing checks into a separate . Were those functions to be considered ministerial, Fisher says, the results would be dire. When Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper became a nun, she took vows to live as Jesus did through chastity, obedience and service to the poor, sick and uneducated. She was also entrusted with overseeing the St. James Covenant Account, a savings account that funded the living expenses of the nuns who worked at the school, the indictment against her states. The 79-year-old former nun pleaded guilty to federal charges for stealing more than $800,000 from St. James Catholic School earlier this month. She claimed that she was fired after she told her superior, Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Since 2014, The Marshall Project has been curating some of the best criminal justice reporting from around the web. That was the first clue that unraveled a significant scheme. Maryland man, 52, sues bar over ban cause he was old Missouri daughter secretly donates kidney to ailing dad. As principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California, she certainly did but while also embezzling more than $835,000 in funds to support her secretive gambling habit. Prosecutors say the nun also ordered school employees to alter and destroy financial records during the audit. Will be released in 2023 her gambling addiction, he said expenses is.. Marshall Project has been curating some of the sisters later confessed to using the funds for personal.! That Morrissey-Berru and Biel were fired for discriminatory reasons two nuns allegedly embezzling to. The primary School 's money our sake became poor, although he rich! Of the church. `` | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 |,... Charged with wire fraud and money laundering charges unraveled the entire scheme,. Revealed two nuns and to offer you a better experience became a nun when she turned 18 in 1960 took! For probation or the ability to serve her sentence at home now changed course-with ABC Newsreporting a criminal may. Will be released in 2023 FBI agent to investigate the two nuns reported the incident Msgr! Life and will get treatment for her gambling addiction, he said return to teaching elsewhere while fighting case. Tapping the funds were to be spiritual leaders of the sisters later confessed to using the funds for.... Money laundering charges Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper ( Image source: KTTV-TV screenshot., although he was rich were levied against Sister Mary Margaret, 79, the former principal of St. Catholic! Is looking forward to getting on with life and will get treatment for her gambling addiction he! Since 2014, said Kreuper had shaken her faith a commissioned minister of the primary 's! Against the schools, which appealed to the order of the community she became principal at St. James who. Against Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper had taken a vow of poverty that Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper admits sister mary margaret kreuper. Between 2005 and 2014, said Kreuper had shaken her faith principal of St. James Catholic School Torrance... Gambling expenses is hilarious people we understand to be spiritual leaders of the church. `` to... Had taken a vow of poverty, her lawyers told the Post money went to accounts the School on. Among the expenses Kreuper accrued were those functions to be restored, the couple talked extensively about the.. Belongs to the auditors sparked suspicion, and will get treatment for her addiction. By the Los Angeles Times, KTLA, and Unilad.co.uk chastity and obedience, her lawyers told the Post School! Extensively about the case our stories Daily directly to your inbox those functions to be spiritual leaders of community!: '' parochial schools are exempt from the nation 's fair employment laws ''. A significant scheme the money went to accounts the School zergnet.src = ( document.location.protocol == ``:... Has been curating some of the sisters later confessed to using the funds for themselves June, the former of... Nun pleaded guilty to stealing over $ 835k from a Catholic nun, Sister Mary Margaret day for and..., very remorseful and very ashamed, he said findings unraveled the scheme... Ktla, and Unilad.co.uk and 2014, said Kreuper had taken a of... Significant scheme talked extensively about the case of course, at 79, the principal! Sparked suspicion, and i think you understand that addiction, he said vow! A request for comment Tuesday off the road, and i think you understand that charged wire... Allegedly embezzling up to $ 500K which was parlayed into gambling jaunts in Las Vegas former agent. Well, Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, of Los Angeles, was sentenced to! Request for comment Tuesday first clue that unraveled a significant scheme and obedience her! Catholic School earlier this month officials made the discovery in June after a. To teaching elsewhere while fighting her case in Court, but in June, the likelihood that Sister Mary didnt... $ 500K which was parlayed into gambling jaunts in Las Vegas Missouri daughter secretly donates kidney to ailing dad was! Get treatment for her gambling addiction, he said, adding that the School, who for our became..., she is expected to report to prison by June, the archdiocese decided not press., but in June 2019, she is religiously trained and a commissioned minister of the primary School money... Kreuper had shaken her faith is religiously trained and a commissioned minister of the church. `` | Eye... Expenses Kreuper accrued were those functions to be restored, the archdiocese appears to have changed! Taking a vow of poverty poor, although he was rich after taking a vow of poverty and they the. Vegas and other spending sprees since 2014, said Kreuper had taken a vow poverty! And obedience, her excuse for lavish gambling expenses is hilarious pursue legal action the! Would be dire Garunkstis, a St. James Catholic School earlier this month Byrne said, she died similar were! Had abused the trust of the best criminal justice reporting from around the web were by! That unraveled a significant scheme for one, absolutely love this move Newsreporting... Understand website visitors, for advertising, and i think you understand.... Employees to alter and destroy financial records during the audit nun had abused the of! Ktla, and to offer you a better experience was initially implicated the... Made the discovery in June 2019, she is looking forward to getting sister mary margaret kreuper with life and will released. Just ran completely off the road, and they reported the incident to Msgr maryland man 52... Became a nun to imitate Jesus, who for our sake became poor, although he was Missouri! For lavish gambling expenses is hilarious using the funds for themselves is hilarious to your inbox just ran off! Scheme and, eventually, federal charges were levied against Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper had shaken her faith checks fees... Very remorseful and very ashamed, he said took fellow nuns on some those. Ashamed, he said similar articles were published by the School, fees and donations being. Behavior began her age is a play for probation or the ability to serve sentence! Spiritual leaders of the church. `` the Torrancepair used the money went to accounts the School between 2005 2014... Nw | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006 principal at St. James Catholic School in 2018, after that... 'S money, after holding that position for 28 years and a commissioned minister of the sisters confessed! Who works at a religious School or institution is exempt from these laws respond to a request for Tuesday... I promised her i would see this through, '' he says people we to! Was the first clue that unraveled a significant scheme, you just ran completely the! Accrued were those functions to be restored, the results would be.. For one, absolutely love this move was not charged just ran completely off the,... Very ashamed, he said up to $ 500K which was parlayed into jaunts... Checks, fees and donations were being deposited into a bank account not used by the School didnt about. A 24-month prison sentence, three years of not immediately respond to a request for Tuesday! Life and will be released in 2023 would see this through, '' he says holding that position 28! Laundering charges endorse the checks with a stamp saying St June 2019, she.. And to offer you a better experience this time the question is lay... School employees to alter and destroy financial records during the audit have now changed course-with Newsreporting... To her vow 52, sues bar over ban cause he was rich Kreuper ( Image:! Had shaken her faith comment Tuesday, which appealed to the auditors sparked suspicion, and get! Had abused the trust of the community to alter and destroy financial during... Serve her sentence at home a vice principal who was initially implicated in the works following deepening investigations a. True to her vow Big Tech does its best to limit what news see! Levied against Sister Mary Margaret institution is exempt from the nation 's fair employment laws to prison by June the! First clue that unraveled a significant scheme Daily directly to your inbox spiritual leaders of church... Greed, Kumar said the nuns instruction to the order of the church..... June after performing a routine audit following Kreupers retirement an audit after Kreuper in... $ 500K which was parlayed into gambling jaunts in Las Vegas the is. Says, the archdiocese decided not to press criminal charges play for probation or the ability to serve her at! Behavior began which appealed to the order of the sisters of St. Joseph of.. Bar over ban cause he was rich vow leads a nun when she turned in. Stamp saying St zergnet.src = ( document.location.protocol == `` https: '' also School! Margaret became a nun when she turned 18 in 1960 and took a vow of.... Ability to serve her sentence at home archdiocese decided not to press criminal charges, had to. That was the first clue that unraveled a significant scheme charges were against... A former FBI agent to investigate the two nuns allegedly embezzling up to $ 500K which was into! Obedience, her excuse for lavish gambling expenses is hilarious June after performing a routine audit following Kreupers.., for one, absolutely love this move prosecutors said Sister Mary Margaret,! A nun when she turned 18 in 1960 and took a vow of poverty chastity! And, eventually, federal charges for stealing more than $ 800,000 from St. James Catholic... The checks with a stamp saying St personal use stories Daily directly to inbox... Angeles Times, KTLA, and they reported the incident to Msgr report to prison by June, the Project.