Monday, April 26, 2010

Convicted priest released from prison

A Florida priest who pleaded guilty to stealing money from his church has been released from prison after serving about a year of his 14-month sentence.

The Rev. John Skehan, 82, was released early Sunday morning.

He was sentenced last year for stealing more than $370,000 from St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach where he served for 40 years.

Authorities claimed Skehan and another priest took the money to fund lavish lifestyles, including upscale homes, gambling trips and rare coin collections.

The Rev. Francis Guinan was sentenced last year to four years in prison after being found guilty of second-degree grand theft for stealing from the same church.

He remains jailed.

SIC: MHCOM