Conn. priest convicted of stealing $1M to support a lavish lifestyle dies, diocese says

Conn. priest convicted of $1M theft dies in prison

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport says a Connecticut priest who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1 million from a Darien parish to support a lavish lifestyle has died.

The diocese says the Rev. Michael Jude Fay died Saturday morning. Fay had prostate cancer and was serving a three-year sentence at Butner Federal Correctional Complex in North Carolina after being convicted in December 2007.

Fay’s death came a day a judge refused to dismiss a suit against the diocese by a former bookkeeper at St. John Roman Catholic Church. Bethany D’Erario says she was harassed for exposing Fay’s crimes.

Fay set up secret bank accounts and spent the money on international travel, expensive gifts and a Florida condominium.