Former Gesu business manager charged with stealing more than $500,000

5/2/2012

A Toledo woman who served as business manager for the Gesu Parish was charged today in U.S. District Court in Toledo with two criminal counts for allegedly stealing $525,757 from the parish over three years.

Patricia Ann Stanz, 61, was charged with one count each of counterfeit securities and fraudulent use of access device. The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

According to court documents, Ms. Stanz was the parish business manager from August, 2007, to August, 2011.

The first count of the information, which is similar to an embezzlement charge, alleges that Ms. Stanz used the parish’s signature stamp to cash “approximately 97 checks totaling approximately $295,000 from the Gesu Parish checking account” during a period of time spanning June, 2008, through February, 2011.

In a second count, Ms. Stanz is charged with using a Gesu credit card for purchases, including cash advances, of about $230,757 from September, 2008, through August, 2011.

Gesu parishioners were informed about the fraud in August and told earlier this year that the money stolen totaled more than $500,000. They were assured that despite the loss, parish and school financial obligations were being met.