Former pastor is making restitution to defrauded congregation

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September 7, 2010

By Rick Pfeiffer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Tue Sep 07, 2010, 10:38 PM EDT

NIAGARA FALLS — A defrocked priest who defrauded his flock will have a violation of probation charge that was filed against him withdrawn.

After a brief hearing in Niagara County Court on Tuesday morning, Assistant Erie County District Attorney Michelle Cianciosa said she will drop the charge because former Falls pastor Peter DelRio is now making restitution payments to his former Falls congregation.

“I have withdrawn my petition,” Cianciosa said, “because he has been paying the restitution. So we are done with him right now.”

Cianciosa has been acting as a special prosecutor in the case because current Niagara County District Attorney Michael Violante once represented DelRio.

The veteran Erie County prosecutor yanked DelRio back into court in April because DelRio was not making payments of $400 a month to settle $44,318 in restitution he owes to the congregation of the now-closed St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Seventh Street. As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, DelRio pleaded guilty in 2007 to charges of fourth-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree falsifying business records.

DelRio was sentenced to six months in jail, five years probation and the restitution payments.

In an deal reached at an April 1 hearing, Cianciosa and DelRio’s defense lawyer agreed to modify the payment plan and reduce it to $200 a month. Cianciosa had said if DelRio made all his payments for six months, she would withdraw the violation of probation charge.

The former cleric admitted that he took funds from his church “without going through proper channels.” Specifically, he was accused of using a church debit card, credit card and checking account to access parish funds.

Prosecutors said, at the time of his indictment, that DelRio purchased an engagement ring for his wife using a church credit card and paid off a car loan with parish money.

St. Paul’s parish closed after the fraud was discovered and the building is now used by another congregation. DelRio has surrendered his clergy orders to the bishop of the United Methodist Church.

His lawyer had maintained that DelRio has very limited income because he has only been able to find seasonal employment. Cianciosa said it appears DelRio is employed by his wife who operates a wedding chapel type of business in the Falls.

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