mary margaret kreuper

Sister Lana, her 67-year-old accomplice, worked there for 20 years as. }); The 80-year-old nun also was ordered to pay a total of. }); LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mary Margaret Kreuper, a now-retired nun and a Los Angeles resident was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on Tuesday, June 8. The couple sacrificed family trips and restaurant meals to pay for their children to attend a Catholic school that would build moral character, he said, but instead several of them now question their faith. Today, we commit to respond boldly to injustice and dare to be prophetic. }); For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Kreuper pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Have a tip or story idea? } },false) She must also pay $825,338 in restitution, covering most of the losses of $835,339 from St. James Catholic School in the Arlington Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper admitted embezzling $835,000 from St James Catholic School in the LA suburb of Torrance. Meyers also said at the meeting that Kreuper began displaying "very nervous and very anxious" behavior about the audit and allegedly asked staff to change records. Central District of California (Los Angeles) Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. IE 11 is not supported. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper had taken a vow of poverty A now-retired nun has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $800,000 from the St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California, from 2008 to 2018, the last decade of her 28-year tenure as principal of the institution.Sister Kreuper who took a vow of poverty confessed to using the . Mark Byrne, Kreupers attorney, acknowledged that Kreuper abused her trust, but called on Wright to sentence her to probation. A Los Angeles nun jailed for stealing more than $800,000 to fund a gambling habit has admitted "I have sinned". Suite 1200 Parent and former school secretaryCheryl Hugo reportedly called Kreupers actions an abuse of power in every possible way.. The revelation came as a rude shock to parents who were led to believe that school was struggling to stay afloat because of a lack of funds. She pleaded guilty last July . I was wrong, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain and the suffering that I have caused so many people, she told Wright. Chang and Kreuper's scheme was exposed after an internal auditor confirmed the church's suspicions. hitType: 'event', Kreuper, who was principal at the elementary school for 28 years, was responsible for the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees as well as charitable donations. }); A nun has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $835,000 in school funds, which she spent on gambling and other expenses. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, the retired principal of St. James Catholic School in California, has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison on charges of money laundering and federal wire fraud for embezzling nearly $835,000 from school funds. Kreuper acknowledged that for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, she embezzled $835,339 from St. James Catholic School. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { After charges were filed, her attorneys issued a statement saying Sister Mary Margaret suffered "from mental illness that clouded her judgment and caused her to do something that she otherwise would not have done. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Mary Margaret Kreuper, retired nun, pleads guilty to stealing more than $830,000 from St. James Catholic School - The Washington Post This article was published more than 1 year ago Morning Mix. This is merely an explanation.. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, entered her plea to wire fraud and money laundering charges, which . Kreuper, who as a nun had taken a vow of poverty, diverted school funds into the St. James Convent Account and the St. James Savings Account and then used the diverted funds to pay for expenses that the order would not have approved, much less paid for, including large gambling expenses incurred at casinos and certain credit card charges, according to court documents. Kreuper had recently retired, which automatically triggered an audit that found irregularities, . Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, was also ordered to pay $825,338 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) Mary Margaret Kreuper, a now-retired nun who was the principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance, has agreed to plead guilty to fraud and money laundering charges for. She further admitted "lulling St. James School and the administration into believing that the school's finances were being properly accounted for and its financial assets properly safeguarded,'' which allowed her to maintain access to the school's finances. Warmer storms could cause problems, Two nuns known for their casino outings allegedly stole at least $500,000 from a Torrance school, Torrance Catholic school embroiled in nun theft scandal can be sued for firing teacher with breast cancer, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Im visiting all 600 L.A. spots on the National Register. Her crime came to light after her retirement was announced in 2018 and the archdiocese began an audit of the school's finances to prepare for its change in leadership. Prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and restitution. Since our first sisters gathered in 1650, our members have been called to do all things of which women are capable. Today, we commit to respond boldly to injustice and dare to be prophetic. After reviewing all the letters, Wright said, it appeared most families had forgiven Kreuper. Her plea agreement from June 8 with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said the 79-year-old had diverted funds into the St. James Convent Account and the St. James Savings Account. Kreuper is also accused of directing St. James employees to alter and destroy financial records during a school audit. Mary Margaret Kreuper, a nun who admitted stealing more than $800,000 from St. James Catholic School in Torrance when she was its principal, spent some of the money on trips to Las Vegas and Lake. In a memo to the judge, prosecutors cited letters from parents and students, including one from a 12-year-old saying Kreuper was just like any other robber.. The nun has also been asked to pay a total of $825,338 in restitution to St. James Catholic School. (Youtube/KCAL) Kreuper agreed to both charges which carry a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in federal prison. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ was part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet order, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. At the time of her plea agreement, her attorney, Mark Byrne, suggested another reason in a statement to Courthouse News. }); Urgent needs call us to bold conversation and prophetic action. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), At about $83,000 a year, the amount matches the tuition of 14 students a year, prosecutors said. A lock ( Kreuper falsified monthly and annual reports to the school administration to cover up her fraudulent conduct and lulled St. James School and the Administration into believing that the schools finances were being properly accounted for and its financial assets properly safeguarded, which, in turn, allowed defendant Kreuper to maintain her access and control of the schools finances and accounts and, thus, continue operating the fraudulent scheme, according to court documents. Shes obviously not employable., Byrne also cited an expert report finding that Kreuper was addicted to gambling. On screen in one of the Zoom windows were five fellow nuns from her order, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. "Sister Mary Margaret and Sister Lana have expressed to me and asked that I convey to you, the deep remorse they each feel for their actions and ask for your forgiveness and prayers," Meyers said in a Nov. 28 letter to parents. ", Baby Mia Jade Riley: Parents Lani and Tom Riley speak out after dog attack killed their 5-week-old infant, Kyle Sambrook: Hiker falls 100ft to death while carrying his dog in one hand through 'appalling' weather, Bruce Willis's mom Marlene 'not sure if her son still recognizes her' as 'aggressiveness' creeps in, Julia Faustyna: 21-yr-old girl who claims to be Madeleine McCann admits to making 'pornographic videos' in past, Killer mom Lindsay Clancy was suffering from drug withdrawal and had 'worst side effects,' says friend. Church officials previously said they did not want to press criminal charges against the nuns. As principal -- a position she had for nearly 30 years before she retired -- Kreuper was responsible for the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees, as well as for charitable donations, according to documents filed in Los Angeles federal court. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), When confronted by the Archdiocese, she said "her actions were justified because priests were paid more than nuns," the site reported. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, will plead guilty on July 22 to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Be the first one to comment on this story. Kreuper's crimes occurred during her role as the school's principal, a position from which she retired in 2018. Kevin de Len just postponed Wakanda Forever screening after uproar, I-5 closed through Grapevine as last wave of winter storm hits Southern California, Dictators and criminals fear this USC instructor whos making the case for an Oscar, Photos: Mountain communities buried in snow | More on the way, Prosecutor in controversial Hannah Tubbs case suspended for misgendering defendant, Environmentalists sue to overturn San Diego County climate plan. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on Tuesday for defrauding St. James Catholic School over a period . It said the parish, school and the Archdiocese: "Reported the matter and fully cooperated with authorities in the criminal investigation," adding: "We continue to offer our prayers for all impacted by this matter," CBS 9 reported. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged Tuesday with one count each of wire fraud and money laundering. These funds were intended to further the students education, not fund [Kreupers] lifestyle. ", She also admitted in the plea agreement to falsifying monthly and annual reports to the school's administration to cover up the fraudulent conduct and "lulled St. James School and the Administration into believing that the school's finances were being properly accounted for and its financial assets properly safeguarded, which, in turn, allowed defendant Kreuper to maintain her access and control of the school's finances and accounts and, thus, continue operating the fraudulent scheme.". At the same time, prosecutors filed a plea agreement in which Kreuper agreed to plead guilty to the two charges, which carry a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in federal prison. The Sisters of St. Joseph both desire and intend to make complete restitution to St. James School. Kreuper also directed St. James School employees to alter and destroy financial records during a school audit. She will also be placed under two years supervision after the completion of her one-year and one-day prison sentence. We do know they had a pattern of going to casinos, and the reality is, they used the account as their personal account," an attorney told the crowd at the meeting. For a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, Kreuper embezzled money from St. James Catholic School. We, and those who share our charism and mission. }); Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Kreuper pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and . Wright also said that as someone who had been educated by nuns, "unlike most cases, this one will be a struggle.". In their letters [to the court], several students and parents commented on how the school was lacking in resourcesAnother parent discussed [in a letter to the court] how [Kreuper] said there was no money for an awning at school and no money for field trips.. eventAction: 'load' A California nun is heading to jail after she admitted to stealing more than $835,000 in funds from a Catholic school to pay off her credit card and gambling debts. The nun served as the principal of the elementary school for nearly 28 years until her retirement in 2018. Earlier in January this year, former president Donald Trump pardoned Steve Bannon who was facing a federal case when he was charged with defrauding donors of more than a million dollars as part of a fundraising campaign to build the US-Mexico border wall. } Torn between parents and students who forgave her and those who demanded retribution for her theft of tuition money that she used to pay for Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe vacations, U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II acknowledged his own anguish in finding a punishment to fit the crime. When an audit threatened to expose the scheme, Kreuper instructed St. James employees to destroy documents. After charges were filed, her attorneys issued a statement saying she suffered "from mental illness that clouded her judgment.". Despite her nun's vow of poverty . Our community is concerned and saddened by this situation and regret any injury to our long relationship with the families of the school. "Unfortunately, later in her life she has been suffering from a mental illness that clouded her judgment and caused her to do something that she otherwise would not have done. She has agreed to plead guilty to the charges for embezzling more than $835,000 from the funds of St. James Catholic School where she served as principal a couple of years ago, to pay for her personal expenses. Though the statutory maximum on those two charges was 40 years, prosecutors asked that she serve two, according to Courthouse News, and the judge in the case sentenced the senior citizen to just 12 months. She said that she falsified monthly and annual reports to cover up her actions to assure the school's administration that its financial assets were in safe hands. Our congregation was founded in St. Louis in 1836, and since then we have formed additional communities and provinces around the world. We pray that in time those impacted will find healing and the seeds of forgiveness. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, was sentenced to one year and one day for fraud and money laundering. I havent slept well in God knows how long, Wright told a Zoom hearing audience, rejecting prosecutors call for a two-year term and saying he could not bring himself to judge Kreuper solely on the worst thing that shes done in her life.. ", Kreuper, they noted in their press releases, "as a nun had taken a vow of poverty.". ga('ads.send', { Julija Garunkstis, who attended the small school of three stucco and red-brick buildings from 2005 to 2014, told the judge about the fear that Kreuper instilled in children when they misbehaved. Church monsignor Michael Myers addressed a crowd of a few hundred people saying the archdiocese had launched an investigation into the matter after Kreuper became "very nervous and very anxious" about her financial review and asked for records to be altered. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, the retired principal of St. James Catholic School in California, has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison on charges of money laundering and federal wire. But Phil Rhilinger, who with his wife, Debby, sent five kids to St. James, called on Wright to impose the maximum sentence up to 20 years for each of the two crimes. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ ga('ads.send', { I have sinned, Kreuper said during a Monday teleconference, according to The New York Daily News. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II said that Kreuper was one heck of a teacher but she ran completely off the road in her life. My son got the best education possible, in fact, I probably wouldve paid double the tuition rate in order for my son to attend St. James.. Kreupers attorneys Mark A. Byrne and Daniel V. Nixon told The Washington Post that the nun took responsibility for her actions right after she was confronted by the L.A. archdiocese. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges. The two embezzling sisters are Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper and Sister Lana Chang. Prosecutors alleged that she was also responsible for controlling credit union accounts, including a savings account for the school and another account to pay the living expenses of nuns hired by the institution. Prior to her sentencing, the nun had already been placed under several restrictions by the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. gads_event = event; But it doesnt mean hes a criminal, Rain check! While at the organization, she was responsible for the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees as well as charitable donations. Kreuper has paid back $10,000 of what she owes, according to The Long Beach Press-Telegram. 312 North Spring Street Nuns stole over $500,000 from struggling Catholic school to fund trips and gambling habit, FBI recovers over $2M out of $4.4M ransom paid to Colonial Pipeline hackers. In private letters to Wright and remarks at the video hearing, some former St. James students asked him to put the nun behind bars. Shes 80 years old. As a Catholic nun, Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper had taken a vow of poverty. She was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison in addition to . She also controlled accounts at a credit union, including a savings account for the school and one used to pay for the living expenses of the nuns employed by the school. She admitted that she had caused losses amounting to $835,000 to St James Catholic School. The Torrance Police Department, the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation in this matter. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, of Los Angeles, was sentenced Monday to one year and one day for fraud and money laundering charges. Mary Margaret Kreuper was so close to getting away with it. A federal judge sentenced Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, a nun and former Catholic school principal, to a year in prison for embezzling more than $835,000 from the school she ran to fund a more secular lifestyle including gambling trips. Mary Margaret Kreuper had been principal at St. James Catholic School, where Sr. Lana Chang had been a teacher. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, was charged Tuesday with wire fraud and money laundering for ripping off St. James Catholic School for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, according to . However, the nun started diverting the money into secret accounts in 2008 to fund her gambling habits and personal credit card charges. Prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of. "I don't look at nuns as ordinary people," he said, according to FOX 6. She will appear for an arraignment at the United States District Court on July 1. Myers said both the nuns had confessed to their crimes. Auditors at the meeting said that checks made out to the school for tuition and other fees first went to Kreuper before being handed over to the bookkeeping staff. She even attempted to destroy documents when an audit nearly exposed her arrangement. Michael Finnegan is a Los Angeles Times reporter covering federal courts and law enforcement. At this point, prosecutors said that she directed her employees to alter and destroy financial records; according to court documents reviewed by Courthouse News, the employees reported her requests to other school administrators instead. The school became aware of the alleged embezzlement in a routine audit when one of the nuns retired as the school's principal. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Yosemite breaks decades-old snowfall record, closing national park indefinitely, San Diego federal judge had defendants 13-year-old daughter handcuffed. . I apologize for the public scandal, the embarrassment and the financial burden that I have placed on the sisters in my religious community, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, St. James School, the parishioners, parents and students who placed their trust in me.. She is very sorry for any harm she has caused.". Today, she has been held accountable by the United States criminal justice system. They both retired at the end of this past school year, shortly before St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach was made aware of the alleged embezzlement happening at its school. The charges against the 79-year-old were leveled on Tuesday, June 8, and prosecutors at the same time filed a plea agreement. hitType: 'event', I got exactly what I paid for. Emailus. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper is an 80-year-old nun from Torrance and a former principal of St. James Catholic School. The archdiocese did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment. Author of the article: Mary Margaret Kreuper admitted to stealing the money from 2008 to 2018 while she was principal at St. James Catholic School in the LA suburb of Torrance. Sisters Mary Margaret Kreuper and Lana Chang, the former a former principal at St. James Catholic School in Torrance, Los Angeles County, confessed to stealing $500,000 from the school to fund . The 80-year old nun was ordered to pay $825,338.57 she embezzled while principal at St. James in Torrance, CA and spent gambling in Las Vegas. She is not allowed to leave the premises without permission and is always required to be accompanied by somebody. In March 2017, for instance, Kreuper deposited $5,700 in checks made out to the school into the convent account and then, in April 2017, wrote a check against the convent account for $6,000, made out to person who deposited the check and gave her the cash, the site reported. She must also pay $825,338 in restitution, covering most of the losses of $835,339 from St. James Catholic School in the Arlington Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Assistant United States Attorney Poonam G Kumar of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting the case. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, who took a vow of poverty, begged a judge to show her mercy and spare her prison, saying: "I have sinned, I've broken the law and I have no excuses." She called her crimes a "violation of my vows, my commandments, the law and, above all, the sacred trust that so many had placed in me". Kreuper pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Have a question about Government Services? An official website of the United States government. First published on June 8, 2021 / 8:30 PM. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ The 79-year-old former nun pleaded guilty to federal charges for stealing more than $800,000 from St. James Catholic School earlier this month. Kreuper had pleaded guilty in July to one count each of wire fraud and money laundering. Official websites use .gov The investigation into this matter is being conducted by the Torrance Police Department, the FBI, and IRS Criminal Investigation. Sisters Mary Margaret Kreuper and Lana Chang, who belong to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, are suspected of embezzling a "substantial" amount of money from a Catholic school in. Mary Margaret Kreuper, a nun who admitted stealing more than $800,000 from St. James Catholic School in Torrance when she was its principal, spent some of the money on trips to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. The charges carry up to 40. }); Some parents at her hearing said their children felt betrayed by her decision to take their tuition money. To know that she had been taking money from my parents and my peers parents the whole time I was there is extremely shocking, and it sways me away from the Catholic Church, she said. Church 's suspicions ; Get browser notifications for breaking News, live events, and exclusive reporting we..., where Sr. Lana Chang the students education, not fund [ Kreupers ] lifestyle scheme was exposed after internal! ' request for comment ' request for comment her to probation Kreuper abused her trust, but called Wright! And those who Share our charism and mission Parent and former School secretaryCheryl Hugo reportedly Kreupers... 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Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was sentenced to count. Community is concerned and saddened by this situation and regret any injury to long. Restitution to St. James employees to alter and destroy financial records during a School audit charges the! Reason in a routine audit when one of the School became aware of the School... Losses amounting to $ 835,000 to St James Catholic School and former School secretaryCheryl Hugo reportedly Kreupers... Who Share our charism and mission with one count of money laundering funds were intended to the... Amounting to $ 835,000 to St James Catholic School, where Sr. Lana.! Prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and who.
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