The Archdiocese of Melbourne is "investigating whether there is any prospect of recovery" of more than $400,000 in parish funds that drug addicted Olivia Raymond conned from 83 year old North Fawkner parish priest Father Paul Kane, The Age reports.
Raymond, 31, was jailed this month for a minimum of 2½ years after pleading guilty in the Victorian County Court to five counts of obtaining property by deception and one of making a false document.
The case has raised questions about how the Catholic Church, the wealthiest non-profit organisation in Australia, administers money donated by parishioners, and follows the Anglican Church's embarrassing admission that it had lost $160 million in investments during the financial crisis, The Age said.
Archdiocese spokesman James O'Farrell confirmed the Church was trying to recover the money stolen by Raymond. "The parish was granted a compensation order by the County Court and we are investigating whether there is any prospect of recovery," Mr O'Farrell said.
Raymond persuaded Father Kane to write 99 cheques over two years after telling him she had cancer and had been raped and bashed. She spent the money on gambling and drugs.
FULL STORY
Church tries to recover stolen cash (The Age)
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Woman jailed for conning priest
Elderly priest conned by fraudster
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