Priest accused of stealing $1.3m for male escorts and shopping

A Catholic priest was today charged with stealing $1.3m (€1.55) from the church to spend on 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. Gray is the former pastor at Sacred Heart/Sagrado Corazon Parish in the town.

The Hartford Archdiocese last month asked police to investigate after it discovered during a financial review that he might have taken more than a million dollars for personal use.

Gray was Sacred Heart’s pastor from January 2003 until April 15, when he was granted a medical leave. He was later suspended but still lives there.