Cops: Priest Used Stolen $1.3M for Male Escorts

Conn. priest lived the high life
By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 7, 2010 4:37 AM CDT
Cops: Priest Used Stolen $1.3M for Male Escorts
Rev. Kevin Gray, 64, poses for his mug shot.   (AP Photo/Waterbury Police Department)

A Connecticut Catholic priest spent $1.3 million in stolen church funds on male escorts, Armani suits, and stays at the Waldorf-Astoria, according to law enforcement authorities. Rev. Kevin Gray, until recently a parish priest in Waterbury, also paid the college tuition and rent of two of the young men he met. Gray, 64, embezzled a combination of parish savings and money earmarked to pay off church debts, the AP reports.

Gray faces charges of first-degree larceny. The Archdiocese of Hartford issued a statement that the parish was "deeply saddened" and "the archdiocese continues to work with the parish to improve its financial controls" while "we continue to pray for healing and consolation for the parish family as it moves forward and for guidance and reconciliation for Father Gray." Police investigated Gray upon the archdiocese's request. (More Catholic priest stories.)

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