Church: employee steals offerings

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - A church employee allegedly admitted taking money from the weekend offerings at a Grand Haven Catholic church and is now facing charges.

Joseph Talmadge Finnigan, 72, was arraigned Monday on charges of embezzlement by an agent or trustee of between $20,000 and $50,000. If convicted, he could spend 10 years behind bars. He may also have to pay a fine of $15,000 or three times the amount stolen; whichever is greater.

Fr. Bill Langlois told the congregation at St. Patrick-St. Anthony on Sunday the man admitted taking the cash over a lengthy time period. He was fired immediately, and the police were notified.

Church officials also handed over their financial records to the police for review, in compliance with policy from the Catholic diocese.

"This announcement was the most difficult message I have ever had to make to the congregation. I delivered the same message at four liturgies and each time it was more painful," Fr. Langlois said. "I know that the parish is hurt, they feel betrayed. We will all be grieving together, but with the Good Lord's help, we will rise above this matter. While the behavior cannot be condoned, we must establish a spirit of forgiveness and seek reconciliation."

In 2003, Finnigan was charged with larceny by conversation of between $1,000 and $20,000. Those charges were dropped by the prosecutor on the day he was supposed to be arraigned.

The police report for the 2003 case was not fully available Monday evening, but 24 Hour News 8 learned a complaint over the sale of office equipment and cubicles on eBay was filed against Finnigan in November of that year.

The case was dropped after Finnigan, who worked at Corporate Asset Group in Grand Haven, made payment to ID Solutions in Indiana.

His attorney in that case, James Brady of Grand Rapids, is the same attorney he's using in the church case.