UPDATE:: Probation but no prison time for Catholic priest who embezzled $200K from California church
A former reverend at Tulare's St. Rita's Catholic Church was sentenced Wednesday to five years of probation, a recommendation from the county's probation department and a request from the Fresno diocese.
The sentencing was issued despite Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward asking for a stiffer penalty.
Ignacio Villafan, 52, pleaded guilty to one felony count of grand theft of personal property with the special allegation that the financial amount was more than $200,000.
UPDATE:: Former Tulare pastor pleads no contest in embezzlement case, will be sentenced in August
On Monday morning, Tulare County Presiding Judge Gary Paden made it perfectly clear to Ignacio Villafan that he wants him to start making some money immediately.
He wants Villafan to repay St. Rita's Catholic Church in Tulare, where he was pastor from 2005 to 2012. Father Villafan is charged with stealing more than $300,000 from the church during that time.
Villafan's attorney says his client's no contest plea on Monday was a way to avoid a possibly stiffer sentence at trial but is not an admission of guilt.
"I know the allegation is that he took much from the church but I think what's been overlooked here is that he put much into the church," said attorney Victor Perez.
A South Valley priest accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church was back in court Monday.
52-year-old Ignacio Villafan was the former priest at Rita's Catholic Church in Tulare. His preliminary hearing continued on Monday, and Gerrie Lenn Pimentel again took the witness stand.
As director of parish financial reporting for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, she discovered discrepancies that eventually lead to Villafan's arrest in late 2014.
Prosecutors say Villafan stole $425,000 from St. Rita's between 2005 and 2012.
Prosecutors review checks as part of priest embezzlement case | abc30.com
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