Nun Sentenced For Embezzling Catholic School Funds To Support Gambling Addiction
The retired principal of a Catholic elementary school in Torrance, and a Los Angeles nun has been sentenced for embezzling the school’s funds to support her gambling addiction.
CBS LA reports that Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, from Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering and was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison. She also has to pay back the $825,338 in restitution.
“I have sinned, I’ve broken the law and I have no excuses,” Kreuper said. “My actions were in violation of my vows, my commandments, the law and, above all, the sacred trust that so many had placed in me. I was wrong and I’m profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering I’ve caused so many people.”
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During sentencing prosecutors said Kreuper “stole the equivalent of the tuition of 14 different students per year,” adding that the embezzled funds “were intended to further the students’ education, not fund (Kreuper’s) lifestyle.”
“She is very sorry for what she’s done, very remorseful, very ashamed, very embarrassed and accepts full responsibility for her actions,” said Kreuper’s lawyer, Mark Byrne.
Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, was sentenced to one year and one day for fraud and money laundering. 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. pic.twitter.com/LAgSZGvql3
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