White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Priest Accused of Looting OLS of $432,000 Considers Taking Plea: Attorney

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. October 16, 2009 UPDATED (In italics) 3:45 P.M. E.D.T.: The Law Clerk for Judge Jeffrey A. Cohen of New York Supreme Court reported to WPCNR Friday morning that Father Patrick Dunne, formerly pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows parish in White Plains, charged with one count of 2nd Degree Grand Larceny, will return to Judge Cohen Tuesday, October 20 at which time the matter will "go to a hearing" or Father Dunne "will take a plea." Powell said the conference with Judge Cohen with Dunne's attorney was lengthy and took place privately Thursday. WPCNR has contacted the District Attorney's office and asked whether Dunne has been offered a lesser charge in return for pleading guilty. Richard Ferrante, the attorney representing Father Dunne, confirmed to WPCNR that the District Attorney has offered a plea bargain. He told WPCNR today that on Tuesday his client would either accept the offer or go to trial, with jury selection beginning Wednesday. He said he was not at liberty to discuss the terms of the plea bargain, and that Tuesday, "all would become clear." Father Dunne is accused of stealing over $432,000 from Our Lady of Sorrows over six years from January 1,2002 to December 30th, 2007. Dunne is accused of "diverting monies donated by parishioners for several collection campaigns including: the church building fund, a collection for Hurricane Katrina victims, and the weekly offertory received by the church for general church operations, and used the money for his personal expenses and recreation (Editor's note: allegedly gambling) without the permission or authority to do so." The Second Degree Grand Larceny charge carries a maximum of five to fifteen years in state prison.


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