Woman accused of stealing $1m from NY archdiocese

A 67-year-old second generation Irish woman, with a criminal record for theft has been charged with siphoning $1m in donations while working in a finance office of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York, Church officials have confirmed.

Anita Collins was wearing a crucifix and handcuffs at her arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court for grand larceny and falsifying business records — charges that could send her to jail for up to 25 years if she is convicted.

Ms Collins is accused of stealing over $1m in money meant to oversee schools and using it to purchase a doll collection and clothing, among other things, prosecutors and the archdiocese said last night.