US priest accused of stealing $1m for escorts

A ROMAN Catholic priest in Connecticut was charged yesterday with stealing $1.3 million (about €1m) in church money over seven years to use for male escorts, expensive clothing and luxury hotels and restaurants.

Police in Waterbury, Connecticut, said the 64-year-old Rev Kevin J Gray was accused of first-degree larceny.

Police said for the past seven years Gray has been spending church money to fund trips to New York and pay for sessions with male escorts, and he also racked up $200,000 in restaurant bills.