Mobile games can require a lot of time and money. This was once again proved by a Catholic priest who was recently arrested and accused of stealing over $40 thousand from his former parish. He spent this money not on good deeds, but on worldly pleasures such as Candy Crush and Mario Kart, reports ITC.UA.
51-year-old Reverend Lawrence Kozak was accused of theft and other related crimes for allegedly using the church's credit card to make purchases in mobile games totaling $41,879.83. He engaged in these frivolous activities from September 2019 to July 2022. Kozak preferred games like Candy Crush, Mario Kart Tour, Pokémon Go, and Cash Frenzy, as well as various slot machines and hidden object games.
The sinful deeds of the reverend could have continued further, but, as investigators say, in 2022, an accountant working at the church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, discovered "an astronomical amount of transactions in favor of Apple" in the parish's credit card statements. This happened during a financial audit. The Apple ID was allegedly registered to Kozak.
However, not only games warmed the soul of the holy father. The church's credit card was also used to purchase items through an Amazon account registered to Kozak. The priest's soulful grace for someone else's funds also brought him a Fire tablet and a children's backpack for his goddaughter.
Kozak denied deliberately using the church's credit card, claiming that both his personal bank card and the church's credit card were linked to his iPhone. He said the church card was used to pay for authorized streaming services and Microsoft Office software, but admitted that he may have used it to buy game items, as he was not very familiar with the details. He added that these purchases were made for "enhancement" purposes, not for the sake of gambling. Additionally, he testified under oath that he sought counseling for his gaming addiction and spending money on online games.
Records show that Kozak actually made payments totaling $10,600 from his personal bank account to the balance of the church's credit card. In November 2022, the church sent Kozak on administrative leave. He subsequently sent a letter with a check for $8000 as "reimbursement to the parish." The handwritten letter said:
"I am very sorry that I made this mistake, which has been a source of stress for you."
Last Thursday, Kozak was charged and released on $250,000 bail.
Source: techspot
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