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Wednesday 14 July 2010

Priest used church money on male escorts

You never know what goes on behind closed doors, especially when they are the doors of the church.

Father Kevin Gray, 64, a former pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Waterbury, Connecticut , allegedly embezzled money from the church over the course of seven years. To many of his congregants, he lived a humble life, being a good pastor for the community. To the local escort agency, he was a good customer, hiring male escorts for company and using money from the church to pay for the escort services. The escort agency had no idea that he was a pastor taking money from his church.

This high-flying Connecticut priest was charged this week for stealing almost $1.3 million from his church's coffers to fund a lavish double life. He used the money to pay for hotels, fancy restaurants, fashion clothes, holidays, a New York City apartment and nights out in clubs. It is also believed that he paid for a male escort's fees at Harvard University.

When staying in New York City, the pastor used to stay at the Waldorf Astoria, Omni Berkshire, and the W Hotel Times Square, all very smart hotels in the city. He also enjoyed designer fashion including Barneys, Armani and Saks Fifth Avenue.

One escort, Islagar Labrada, allegedly charged more than $49,000 to an account provided by the priest.

Another male escort, Weirui Zhong, said that the priest paid for his rented apartment in New York, a piano, and Harvard University fees since 2008 so that he could finish his studies.


A routine audit commissioned by the church highlighted to many accounting discrepancies which lead to a more thorough investigation into Father Gray's lifestyle. And they were shocked to be paying for a male escort, no matter how hot and sexy he might be.