A priest with a gambling addiction and who allegedly stole more than US$300,000 of the parish collection money is expected to plead guilty to theft.
John Regan, the former priest at St Walter parish, Roselle Ill, is expected to enter a “blind” plea of guilty that may see him receive a 15 year prison sentence.
According to a February 2009 indictment, the former St Walter Ill, priest John Regan took cash and personal check offerings made to the church from August 2006 through July 2008. He placed the funds into an account he opened named “Church of St. Walter Special Needs Account.”
His name was the only name listed on the account and he took funds, moving them into his personal account at a different bank.
Then, according to the indictment, he withdrew funds at an ATM machine at riverboat casinos, made personal purchases and made personal credit card payments.
Regan, 47, had been ordained a priest for 20 years at the time of the alleged incident.
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