In a shocking turn of events, a Catholic priest from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, found himself in legal trouble after allegedly spending over $40,000 of church funds on in-app purchases for mobile games. Father Lawrence Kozak was formally charged with theft and related offenses on April 23, 2024, and was subsequently released on bail set at $250,000.
The saga began to unfold when an accountant at Saint Thomas More Church in 2022 noticed an unusual pattern of transactions linked to the App Store. These transactions, totaling tens of thousands of dollars, occurred between September 2019 and July 2022, coinciding with Father Kozak’s tenure at the church.
Following an internal investigation, Father Kozak was asked to leave the church in November 2022, after it was discovered that his Apple ID was associated with the purchases. Additionally, records revealed that the church’s credit card had been used for personal purchases on Amazon, including a child’s chemistry set, a backpack, and a fire tablet, sent to the priest’s goddaughter in Bensalem, PA, with a note signed “Uncle Larry.”
During questioning by detectives in 2022, Father Kozak admitted to using his personal funds to cover $10,000 of the church’s credit card bill. He claimed that the excessive spending was not due to gambling but rather stemmed from an addiction to mobile games such as Mario Kart Tour and Candy Crush. Kozak maintained that the church’s credit card was previously linked to his personal accounts and phone for managing church expenses.
While he denied intentionally using the church’s credit card for in-app purchases, Father Kozak acknowledged the possibility of accidental use. Since his departure from Saint Thomas More Church, he has taken steps to repay the church, including sending a check for $8,000 to the new priest, along with a promise to settle the debt in full.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of responsible financial management and oversight, even within religious institutions. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community awaits further developments in this unexpected case.
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