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NEW YORK---Although prosecutors charged Msgr. John Woolsey last year with stealing some $800,000 of church funds, a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court this week claims that Woolsey actually stole $1.3 million.
Woolsey, 66, is the former pastor of the Church of St. John the Martyr on the Upper East Side.
The church has filed suit against the Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. of America, saying that while the insurance company hasn't rejected the claim, it hasn't paid it either and the statute of limitations to file claims in the case will expire in several weeks.
According to a spokesman for the New York Archdiocese, the church was insured against employee theft in a $5 million blanket policy. A claim for $1.2 million was filed by the church in June 2004 after a $100,000 deductible was subtracted.
Woolsey has also been accused of swindling an elderly parishioner of nearly $500,000 including most of a $241,500 donation made to the church.
Woolsey had final control over the parish's finances. A church audit showed $1 million missing from a variety of parish funds.
Woolsey has denied the charges.
Prosecutors said that Woolsey maintained a high-style of living, driving a tan Lexus, maintaining memberships in exclusive golf clubs, and owning condos in Florida and New Jersey. 1-26-06
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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