(Crankers) A Catholic priest from Chester County in Pennsylvania is facing felony theft charges after allegedly spending over $40,000 of parish funds on mobile games such as *Candy Crush*, *Mario Kart Tour*, and *Pokémon GO*. Rev. Lawrence Kozak, 51, who served as pastor at St. Thomas More Church in Pottstown, was arrested on April 25, 2024, following an investigation into unauthorized expenditures charged to the church’s credit card.
According to court documents, between September 2019 and June 2022, Kozak made approximately 2,200 transactions categorized as “gaming,” totaling nearly $41,000. These purchases were linked to an Apple ID registered to Kozak and included in-app expenditures on games like ‘Candy Crush Saga’, ‘Cash Frenzy’, and ‘Wizard of Oz Slot Machine Game’.
The misuse of funds came to light during a routine financial review by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Parish Services and Support. An accountant noticed an unusually high number of Apple transactions on the parish credit card statements, prompting further investigation. The Archdiocese subsequently placed Kozak on administrative leave in November 2022 and referred the matter to law enforcement.
In addition to gaming expenses, the parish credit card was used to purchase gifts for Kozak’s goddaughter, including an Amazon Fire tablet and a children’s chemistry set, which were shipped to her residence in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
During interviews with investigators, Kozak claimed that the charges were unintentional, stating that the parish credit card was linked to his phone for authorized church-related purchases, such as streaming services and software subscriptions. He expressed remorse, acknowledging that he should have been more attentive to the charges.
Kozak has since made efforts to reimburse the church, sending a check for $8,000 labeled “parish reimbursements” to his successor at St. Thomas More. In a note accompanying the check, he apologized for the mistake and indicated his intention to repay the owed amount.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has stated that it will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as the legal proceedings progress. Kozak remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 9, 2024. If convicted, Kozak could face significant legal consequences for the alleged misuse of parish funds. Rev. Lawrence Kozak eventually pleaded guilty to theft by receiving stolen property after misusing over $40,000 in parish funds. He was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to perform 80 hours of community service, and required to write a letter of apology to his former parishioners at St. Thomas More Church in Pottstown. Additionally, he is barred from holding any financial responsibilities without oversight due to his conviction, reported Daily Mail.
During the court proceedings, Kozak attributed his actions to personal struggles, including the death of his father and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated pain from a prior leg amputation. He expressed deep remorse, stating, “I allowed my playing of games to get away from me, and due to lack of attentiveness failed in my responsibility to be vigilant over the administrative part of my responsibilities.”
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has confirmed that Kozak remains on administrative leave and is subject to an ongoing canonical investigation.