Priest Spent $1.3 Mil on Escorts, Clothes

By Michelle Garcia

KEVIN GRAY X390 (WATERBURY POLICE) | ADVOCATE.COM

A former Catholic priest in Connecticut turned himself in to police Tuesday morning after having been accused of embezzling $1.3 million from the Sacred Heart Church of Waterbury since 2003.

Kevin Gray, 64, went to police after learning that there was a warrant out for his arrest, according to WFSB News. Gray is alleged to have spent the money on hotels, restaurants, clothing, male escorts, and other personal expenses.

Gray was put on medical leave from his priestly duties April 15 after seven years with Sacred Heart; he had served various Waterbury churches for a total of 26 years. However, he was suspended completely in June by the archdiocese of Hartford, which said he could no longer function as a priest in Connecticut or anywhere in the country.

Archdiocesan officials said Gray's spending was uncovered during a review of parish accounts. The Reverend John Gatzak told United Press International that Sacred Heart Church did not have a parish financial council, nor did Gray submit annual financial reports to the diocese, which prompted the investigation.

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Name: Daniel
Date posted: 7/7/2010 3:25:07 PM
Hometown: Boston

Comment:
@ozzy-I in no way am trying to say that my experience with the church was the experience for all, I am a non member. Nor do I deny many many people the right to disavow the church, I think they are a bunch of degenerates personally. My issue was saying that all catholics were scumbags, I disagree with that kind of blanket statement. I was a member of the church that started the whole priest abuse issue in Newton Ma years ago, and had friends who were abused so please understand that I am very aware of the deceptive practices of the church. But don't call me a scumbag for having been born one-not fair.
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Name: CountryBoy
Date posted: 7/7/2010 12:49:14 PM
Hometown: MO

Comment:
Once again, the catholic church has demonstrated its moral 'bankruptcy'. Sadly, that doesn't stop them from continuing to spew their hate. Hopefully, fewer and fewer are actually LISTENING to them.
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Name: ozzy
Date posted: 7/7/2010 11:52:54 AM
Hometown: sacramento

Comment:
@Daniel Not all gays experience the same relation with the church. My experience with the church growing up was always positive, I wasn't molested, they genuinely cared about the community and they were great role models. But then I grew up and realize I was gay, I guess we chose different paths, it was a clean break. Other people wasn't so lucky like me, because of what the church has put them through (pain, suffering, self hate, threats of going to hell, etc). Today I don't call my self catholic because I realize I don't belong and the outdated teachings of the church are not for me. You need to realize not everyone experience the church the same. And you need to listen to other members of the gay community, (especially the old timers) how they experienced the church and you will see that some have EARNED the right to condemn the entire church for what they did to them.
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Name: Daniel
Date posted: 7/7/2010 10:57:38 AM
Hometown: Boston

Comment:
@shawn-Where do you get off saying ALL catholics are scumbags. As a catholic I am offended. DO NOT lump all people into one grouping. It is unfair and ignorant on your part. Believe me I am not defending ANY catholic priest or any member of the clergy, as they are beyond redemption. Your comment would suggest that all gay people are exactly the same, which of course we know is not true.
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Name: Greg
Date posted: 7/7/2010 9:43:58 AM
Hometown: RI

Comment:
shawn: Let's ask Michael Lucas!
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Name: shawn
Date posted: 7/7/2010 9:16:41 AM
Hometown: shawn's peak

Comment:
Geeez. How do I become part of this "wealthy" gay establishment???
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Name: Greg
Date posted: 7/7/2010 8:25:49 AM
Hometown: RI

Comment:
Actually the wealthy Gay Establishment has its "hierarchy" too and is cooperating behind the scenes with the evil Catholic Church. They are both conniving to help tens of millions of the church's uneducated, superstitious, homophobic parishioners emigrate to the U.S. Then the Gay Establishment, desperate to maintain its steady supply of cheap pool cleaners, landscapers and (ahem) "houseboys," orders the rest of us to boycott Arizona! ... Not so different from this guy, really, especially if he's into Latino boys, which in Waterbury is probably a safe bet.
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Name: Daniel, former seminarian
Date posted: 7/7/2010 8:14:14 AM
Hometown: missouri

Comment:
The hierarchy is trying to spin this. They knew criminal charges had to be made public. The little old ladies in the pew needed a reason for his actions. Mention the male escorts and abracadabra... He stole the money because he was gay, PR problem solved.
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Name: d
Date posted: 7/7/2010 7:32:48 AM
Hometown: raleigh

Comment:
Please PLEASE donate to the Catholic Church. We need the money for toys, candy and lots and lots of lube! God Bless!
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Name: John in SF
Date posted: 7/7/2010 7:07:54 AM
Hometown: San Francisco

Comment:
The entire "leadership" from the catholic church should be arrested, locked up, and forgotten about.

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