TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) -
The former business
manager of Gesu Catholic Church in West Toledo is headed to prison.
Patricia Stanz, 61, was
sentenced Friday in Toledo Federal Court to two years in prison.
In September, Stanz
pleaded guilty to counterfeit securities and fraudulent use of an access
device.
Federal prosecutors said
she stole money from Gesu's checking account and used the parish's credit card
for purchases and cash advances.
The total amount missing
is $525,000.
Stanz blames the raid on
church coffers on a gambling addiction.
The Gesu parishioners
Toledo News Now talked to were stunned by the theft and are still angry.
"I think it's
terrible," said Thomas Schiel. "It's intolerant to me. To steal from any church
is not right. Especially when you work here and make money for the church as it
is, and you're going to steal from them, too."
"Well of course
that's a very low thing to do," added Maryann Schiel. "But it has gone on since
the world began with churches. As I listen to the radio and TV, it goes on.
People that are around money, many times, they take it."
In addition to prison
time, Stanz has been ordered to pay $505,000 in restitution.
Copyright 2013 Toledo News Now. All rights reserved.
Patricia Stanz
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and Toledo News Now, a Raycom Media Station. 
