Judgment Day for Priest Accused of Larceny
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PITTSBURGH — In life, the law never quite caught up with Father Walter Benz. But in death, say Benz’s fellow priests and parishioners, it is impossible to escape judgment.
Benz, 72, died of leukemia in a nursing home Friday night, one month after authorities decided he was too sick to be arraigned. He was accused of stealing $1.3 million from the collection baskets at two Roman Catholic churches and using the money for gambling trips with a church secretary.
Police revealed the scandal last month after Benz allegedly admitted stealing $1,000 a week for 20 years at two suburban churches: Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament and St. Mary of the Assumption church.
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