WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Two priests in Florida go on trial this week for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Roman Catholic parish, officials said.
The Revs. John Skehan, 81, and Francis "Frank" Guinan, 66, each are charged with one count of grand theft over $100,000. They each face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported Sunday.
The men served at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Delray Beach, Fla.
They accused of misappropriating more than $8 million in church funds outright stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Detective Thomas Whatley referred to the priests at the time of their 2006 arrest as "professional money launderers."
Prosecutors said Skehan stole $370,751 between 2001 and 2005. He was pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer for 40 years before retirement in 2003, when Guinan replaced him. Guinan is accused of stealing at more than $487,000.
