mary margaret kreuper
Parent and former school secretaryCheryl Hugo reportedly called Kreupers actions an abuse of power in every possible way.. Her deadline to show up for incarceration is noon on June 7. When the Archdiocese of Los Angeles first confronted Kreuper about her misconduct, she argued that priests are better paid than nuns, and said she believed she deserved a raise, according to the government. We seek to build communities and bridge divides between people. Check out an array of spirituality resources. Chang and Kreuper's scheme was exposed after an internal auditor confirmed the church's suspicions. Church monsignor Michael Myers addressed a crowd of a few hundred people saying the archdiocese had launched an investigation into the matter after Kreuper became "very nervous and very anxious" about her financial review and asked for records to be altered. For three years, Byrne told the judge, the nuns in her order have kept her under severe restrictions at a convent. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper was reportedly able to escape intervention from authorities for 10 years as she diverted tuition fees and other funds to old and secret bank accounts. Unfortunately, later in her life she has been suffering from a mental illness that clouded her judgement and caused her to do something that she otherwise would not have done. They declined to go into further detail about any illness their client may have been diagnosed with, according to a report by Daily Breeze. The Sisters of St. Joseph both desire and intend to make complete restitution to St. James School. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper admits to stealing over $835k from a Catholic School. Retired nun Mary Margaret Kreuper, admitted to stealing money from St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California. To know that she had been taking money from my parents and my peers parents the whole time I was there is extremely shocking, and it sways me away from the Catholic Church, she said. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California. . Prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and restitution. A federal judge sentenced Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, a nun and former Catholic school principal, to a year in prison for embezzling more than $835,000 from the school she ran to fund a more secular lifestyle including gambling trips. }); Today, we commit to respond boldly to injustice and dare to be prophetic. Put simply, anyone who stole over $800,000 from a school would go to prison, your honor, Assistant U.S. Atty. Suite 1200 Defense attorneys said Kreuper became a nun when she was 18 years old, and for the next 59 years "dedicated her life to helping others and educating children in Archdiocesan schools. Kreuper had recently retired, which automatically triggered an audit that found irregularities, . Eighty-year-old Mary Margaret Kreuper admitted stealing the money from 2008 to 2018 while she was principal at St. James Catholic School in the LA suburb of Torrance. I apologize for the public scandal, the embarrassment and the financial burden that I have placed on the sisters in my religious community, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, St. James School, the parishioners, parents and students who placed their trust in me.. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ Kreuper's crimes occurred during her role as the school's principal, a position from which she retired in 2018. Mary Margaret Kreuper was the principal of the elementary school for 28 years. Mary Margaret Kreuper, a nun who admitted stealing more than $800,000 from St. James Catholic School in Torrance when she was its principal, spent some of the money on trips to Las Vegas and Lake. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Minyvonne Burkeis a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Copyright 2023 by City News Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved. As part of her role as the head of the institution, Kreuper oversaw all funds the school received for tuition fees and charitable donations. Most of the funds she blew on gambling trips to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe with. We, and those who share our charism and mission, are motivated in all things by our profound love of God and our dear neighbors. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS As principal -- a position she had for nearly 30 years before she retired -- Kreuper was responsible for the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees, as well as for charitable donations, according to documents filed in Los Angeles federal court. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) Mary Margaret Kreuper, a now-retired nun who was the principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance, has agreed to plead guilty to fraud and money laundering charges for stealing more than $835,000 in school funds to pay for personal expenses, including gambling trips, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. }); He previously covered state and national politics, including the 2020 presidential campaign. Kreuper controlled accounts at a credit union, including a savings account for the school and one established to pay the living expenses of the nuns employed by the school, according to the US Attorney's Office, California. }); TORRANCE, Calif. (CNS) -- The retired principal of a Catholic elementary school in Torrance who embezzled more than $835,000 in school funds to support a gambling habit was sentenced to one year and a day in prison on Monday. As the school's principal, she was responsible for managing money received by the. Michael Finnegan is a Los Angeles Times reporter covering federal courts and law enforcement. The 80-year-old dedicated 59 years of her life to the church and was appointed the principal at St. James Catholic School in 1990. Shes obviously not employable., Byrne also cited an expert report finding that Kreuper was addicted to gambling. These included: "Large gambling expenses incurred at casinos and certain credit card charges.". I was wrong, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain and the suffering that I have caused so many people, she told Wright. She reportedly claimed, after she was caught by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, that she "used the money to travel, eat out with friends and gamble in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Temecula," the site reported. Online prison records do not yet show Kreuper in federal custody. Official websites use .gov When confronted by the Archdiocese, she said "her actions were justified because priests were paid more than nuns," the site reported. She will appear for an arraignment at the United States District Court on July 1. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, admitted to stealing the money from 2008 to 2018 while she was principal at St. James Catholic School in the LA suburb of Torrance. }); WATCH LIVE: Psychic on Trial in Spousal Swindling Case, WATCH LIVE: XXXTentacion murder trial 3 men charged in 2018 shooting death of rapper, WATCH LIVE: Murdaugh Family Double-Murder Trial, Law&Crime Looks Ahead to 10 Remarkable Criminal Trials Scheduled for the First Half of 2023, 9 Shocking Times Defendants Testified at Trial, Ohio homicide detectives investigate two deaths as DNA helps identify skull and bones found decades ago, He just f***ing killed him!: Suspect identified after video shows shooter executing man in broad daylight in St. Louis, Manipulative psychic coached 20-something woman on bilking and kissing 80-year-old businessman: Prosecutors, Says it all: experts react to Buster Murdaughs facepalm during fathers testimony in double murder trial, Former NFL running back sentenced to jail following brutal video of attack on ex-girlfriend that went viral, is set to spend a year and a day in prison followed by two years of supervised release, LIVE: Closing statements begin in Alex Murdaugh double murder trial Day 25, Marilyn Manson accuser's sudden 180 won't get into court in Evan Rachel Wood case, judge rules, Alex Murdaugh has admitted to dozens of financial crimes and faces over 700 years in prison for those concessions alone, Ghislaine Maxwell appeal claims she was prosecuted to 'satisfy public outrage' over Jeffrey Epstein plea deal, jailhouse death, Unsealed search warrant reveals new evidence against accused quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger in grisly fatal stabbings of Idaho students, Elderly Florida man caught with over one ton of printed child porn images in home: Sheriff, Man sentenced for stabbing 16-year-old boy in the heart in fight over another teens ex-girlfriend, Convicted murderer identified as suspect in 1980 cold case of 21-year-old N.J. woman found shot in the head in California, Florida man indicted for allegedly killing pregnant girlfriend who wanted to celebrate his murder acquittal, He grabbed him by his head and slit his throat: Girlfriend of slain news anchor provides grisly details of terrifying attack. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Kreuper acknowledged that for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, she embezzled $835,339 from St. James Catholic School. Prior to her sentencing, the nun had already been placed under several restrictions by the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In conjunction with the criminal information, prosecutors filed a plea agreement in which Kreuper agreed to plead guilty to the two charges that carry a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in federal prison. As soon as she was confronted, she accepted full responsibility for what she had done and she has cooperated fully with law enforcement and the Archdiocese. The now-retired nun, Mary Margaret Kreuper,. Kreuper pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and . '', Riverside DA, DEA official call for CA crackdown on fentanyl dealers, Marijuana grow facility erupts in flames inside Willowbrook building, SoCal woman details encounter with alleged jewelry thief. Prosecutors told the judge at her sentencing that Kreuper "stole the equivalent of the tuition of 14 different students per year during the 10 years of her embezzlement scheme. She doesnt have any money. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. However, her arrangement came to light following a 2018 financial review after her retirement. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { We also deeply value relationships. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. '', U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II said at last year's plea hearing that he was raised as a Roman Catholic, "and was educated by nuns. At least I hope you do.. I couldnt help think this is harsher than Club Fed, he said, using a nickname for low-security federal prisons, where conditions are far less harsh than at other lock-ups. },false) Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, admitted stealing $835,000 while principal of an LA-area school. It said the parish, school and the Archdiocese: "Reported the matter and fully cooperated with authorities in the criminal investigation," adding: "We continue to offer our prayers for all impacted by this matter," CBS 9 reported. Meyers said during the meeting that around that same time a family who gave money to the school requested a copy of the check, and staff noticed that the check had been deposited into an account not associated with the school. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD. Diverting embezzled funds into secret accounts, Kreuper used the money "to pay for expenses that the order would not have approved, much less paid for,'' including large gambling expenses and trips to Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Temecula, according to her plea agreement. A bookkeeper who knew about the nuns' scheme voluntarily took a leave of absence during the investigation, Michael Meyers, the churchs monsignor, said during the meeting, according to the Press-Telegram. On Monday night, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles told parents and alumni at a meeting that Sisters Mary Margaret Kreuper and Lana Chang, described as best friends, took around $500,000 from St. James Catholic School in Torrance, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by the Press-Telegram. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison and ordered to pay $825,338 in restitution, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The charges carry up to 40 years . After reviewing all the letters, Wright said, it appeared most families had forgiven Kreuper. hitType: 'event', In her plea agreement, they noted that she used the money "to pay for expenses that the order would not have approved, much less paid for, including large gambling expenses incurred at casinos and certain credit card charges. I got exactly what I paid for. A Los Angeles nun and school principal who stole more than $800,000 to pay for a gambling habit was sentenced Monday to a year in federal prison. An 80-year-old nun who admitted stealing $835,000 from a Torrance elementary school asked a federal judge on Monday to show mercy and spare her from prison. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, was charged Tuesday with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, according to the U.S. attorney's office for the Central District of California. She doesnt have anywhere to go, he said. For a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, Kreuper embezzled money from St. James Catholic School. Margaret Mary Kreuper has pled guilty to embezzling $835,000 from St. James Catholic School to fund gambling trips and personal expenses (St. James Catholic Church) Who is Mary Margaret Kreuper? Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged last month with one count each of wire fraud and money laundering for embezzling the money over the span of 10 years, up until 2018, the . ", Kreuper, they noted in their press releases, "as a nun had taken a vow of poverty.". Kreuper controlled accounts at a credit union, including a savings account for the school and one established to pay the living expenses of the nuns employed by the school, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement. She has agreed to plead guilty to the charges for embezzling more than $835,000 from the funds of St. James Catholic School where she served as principal a couple of years ago, to pay for her personal expenses. U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II said that Kreuper was one heck of a teacher but she ran completely off the road in her life. In a letter addressed to parents and parishioners, he wrote, "Sister Mary Margaret and Sister Lana have expressed to me and asked that I convey to you, the deep remorse they each feel for their actions and ask for your forgiveness and prayers. I was wrong and Im profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering Ive caused so many people.. Assistant US Attorney Poonam Kumar told The New York Post that Kreuper even asked parents to donate more money in addition to their $6,000 annual fees. Kreuper was part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet order, which Newsweek has contacted for comment. Sisters Mary Margaret Kreuper and Lana Chang, the former a former principal at St. James Catholic School in Torrance, Los Angeles County, confessed to stealing $500,000 from the school to fund . After charges were filed, her attorneys issued a statement saying Sister Mary Margaret suffered "from mental illness that clouded her judgment and caused her to do something that she otherwise would not have done. Despite her vow of poverty, a California nun embezzled funds from the Roman Catholic school she ran in order to fund her gambling habit, according to federal prosecutors. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper was just 18 years old when she took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Urgent needs call us to bold conversation and prophetic action. hitType: 'event', Over the course of the scheme, Kreuper admitted to causing $825,339 in losses to St. James Catholic School. Our congregation was founded in St. Louis in 1836, and since then we have formed additional communities and provinces around the world. / KCAL News. At the same time, prosecutors filed a plea agreement in which Kreuper agreed to plead guilty to the two charges, which carry a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in federal prison. Officials said she would alter the checks by endorsing them with a stamp that read "St. James Convent" instead of "St. James School.". ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. On an annualized basis (approximately $83,000 per year), [Kreuper] stole the equivalent of the tuition of 14 different students per year, prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. Sisters of St. Joseph of CarondeletFebruary 7, 2022February 14, 2022. Kreuper was principal at the school for 29 years. She was the principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance for 28 years. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. SisterMary Margaret Kreuper, 80, was sentenced on Monday to 12 months and one day in federal prison byU.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II and ordered to pay$825,338 in restitution to theSt. James Catholic School in Torrance, California, according to a press release from theU.S. Attorneys Office in the Central District of California. ga('ads.send', { eventAction: 'view' Mary Margaret Kreuper, of Los Angeles, was the principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance for 28 years. She must also pay $825,338 in restitution, covering most of the losses of $835,339 from St. James Catholic School in the Arlington Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged Tuesday with one count each of wire fraud and money laundering. IE 11 is not supported. But somewhere along the line, you just ran completely off the road, and I think you understand that. 'I have sinned, I've broken the law and I . Bank records show Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper and Sister Lana Chang had been embezzling funds from St. James Catholic School in Torrance for at least a decade, the Press-Telegram reported. Is a Los Angeles, was charged Tuesday with one count each of wire fraud and forOxygen Insiderfor all letters. Your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and I byU.S... In their press releases, `` as a nun had taken a vow of,! Simply, anyone who stole over $ 800,000 from a Catholic School in Torrance for years! For a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, Kreuper embezzled from! Up for incarceration is noon on June 7 for 29 years appointed principal! ; Today, we commit to respond boldly to injustice and dare to be prophetic at St. James Catholic.... Federal prison byU.S Rights Reserved principal of an LA-area School a 2018 financial review after her retirement chastity and.! 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