Armstrong case isn't over
A former honcho of the Anglican Communion Institute is back in court in Colorado Springs today and tomorrow for sentencing. That's not all that confronts The Rev. Donald Armstrong (CANA):
Armstrong still must appear today and Friday, Feb. 24 and 25, for a sentencing hearing before District Judge Gregory Werner, who could accept all or part of the plea bargain while also determining possible fines, restitution, and either the recommended four-year probation or possible incarceration.The entire article from the Colorado Springs Independent is a must read. Be sure sure to scroll to the background history.Meanwhile, in addition to that $291,000 from the grand jury indictment, []Episcopal Church of] Grace and St. Stephens' lay leaders have filed an extensive "victim impact statement" with Werner, more than 50 pages outlining Grace funds either missing or unaccounted for, which could amount to more than $1 million.
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The alleged lost money includes:• $261,703 — college and related expenses for Armstrong's children;
• $136,354 — clergy discretionary funds used, according to church documents, "for his personal benefit and for improper operating expenses," including travel, parking tickets and tax withholding payments;
• $110,920 — other personal expenses for Armstrong's family members;
• $81,588 — unpaid loans from Grace to Armstrong, with no interest;
• $52,021 — undocumented petty cash checks;
• $41,864 — car payments, life insurance, parish reimbursement and payment
Other issues or uncertainties involve eight leased vehicles (four for Armstrong's family, four for staff), which were costing Grace $45,000 a year; extensive travel, including to a Grace-sponsored seminar in Paris; and Armstrong selling four houses owned all or in part by Grace for a total of $927,850 — without permission and with no apparent accounting, church sources say, for where the net proceeds went.
In addition, Grace has calculated: "Between 1998 and 2005, at least $548,097.27 in compensation and benefits to Fr. Armstrong was not reported on Form W-2s submitted to the IRS and Colorado Department of Revenue."
One thing that doesn't confront Armstrong is discipline by CANA head The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, ACNA's head Bob Duncan, or the Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria. Minns is in Armstrong's court.
Eventually the TaxMan or TaxWoman will cometh. He has been notably quiet since his initial outbursts after his plea. I assume counsel quieted him so as not to incense the judge by his cavalier proclamations of vindication.
Posted by Michael Russell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 24, 2011 12:45 PM
It seems to me it´s very sick/sad to keep bemoaning victimhood when one is a exposed thief...even as a small child I kept wondering why the gangsters in movies were soooo mad when they were caught and then demonstrated to be ¨guilty as charged¨ with REALLY solid evidence against them...didn´t seem to make sense, still doesn´t in the right vs. wrong department of my mind...especially doesn´t make sense when the crook wears a religious collar and arrogantly continues to thrive with self-deception.
In our Anglican Communion World we seem especially challenged with anti-LGBT fear/hate, vertical corruption, female clergy bashing and superstious spewing biggoted nonsense of all sorts...nonsense that promotes ignorance, lacks individual/collective accountability and is often dangerously contaminating to innocents (mostly) at Church.
Holy men, and they are mostly men, they are not.
Posted by Leonardoricardosanto.blogspot.com![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 24, 2011 1:48 PM