Put simply, anyone who stole over $800,000 from a school would go to prison, your honor, Assistant U.S. Atty. READ ALSO | 2 nuns accused of embezzling 'substantial' amount from Catholic school in Torrance. Kreupers attorneys Mark A. Byrne and Daniel V. Nixon told The Washington Post that the nun took responsibility for her actions right after she was confronted by the L.A. archdiocese. Urgent needs call us to bold conversation and prophetic action. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges, which together carry a total of up to 40 years in federal prison. Two Catholic school nuns accused of embezzling about a half-million dollars in tuition, fees and donations from a school allegedly used some of the money to gamble in Las Vegas, according to officials cited in a news report. 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. eventAction: 'click_adunit' She called her crimes a violation of my vows, the commandments, the law, and above all the sacred trust that so many had placed in me.. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper is an 80-year-old nun from Torrance and a former principal of St. James Catholic School. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. }); My actions were in violation of my vows, my commandments, the law and, above all, the sacred trust that so many had placed in me. Kreuper also directed St. James School employees to alter and destroy financial records during a school audit. When an audit threatened to expose the scheme, Kreuper instructed St. James employees to destroy documents. She also controlled accounts at a credit union, including a savings account for the school and one used to pay for the living expenses of the nuns employed by the school. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The nun admitted to her crimes shortly after she was indicted. But. }); 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. A nun is pictured at Vatican's Gregorian University. 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. }); I have sinned, I have broken the law, and I have no excuses, Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, the former principal of St. James Catholic School, told the judge. I dont feel that Im a victim in this case, he said. Prosecutors alleged that she was also responsible for controlling credit union accounts, including a savings account for the school and another account to pay the living expenses of nuns hired by the institution. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, admitted stealing $835,000 while principal of an LA-area school. A locked padlock Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper was sentenced to a year in prison after she admitted to stealing more than $835,000 from a Southern California school to fund her gambling addiction. Julija Garunkstis, who attended the small school of three stucco and red-brick buildings from 2005 to 2014, told the judge about the fear that Kreuper instilled in children when they misbehaved. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of the Arlington Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles, was sentenced by United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II, who also ordered her to pay $825,338 in restitution. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California, Environmental Crimes and Community Safety, Nun Who Embezzled Tuition Money from Torrance Catholic Elementary School Sentenced to One Year in Federal Prison, CEO of Nevada-Based Publicly Traded Health Care Company Charged with Federal Crimes for Alleged Insider Trading Scheme, Carson Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison for Role in International Conspiracy to Launder Money Taken from Fraud Victims, Former MoviePass Executive Arrested on Indictment Alleging He Embezzled $260,000 from Employer to Repay Coachella Debt, Nun Who Embezzled Tuition Money From Torrance Catholic Elementary School Sentenced To One Year In Federal Prison. The school became aware of the alleged embezzlement in a routine audit when one of the nuns retired as the school's principal. Kreuper, who as a nun had taken a vow of poverty, diverted school funds into the St. James Convent Account and the St. James Savings Account and then used the diverted funds 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, according to court documents. ", She also admitted in the plea agreement to falsifying monthly and annual reports to the school's administration to cover up the fraudulent conduct and "lulled St. James School and the Administration into believing that the school's finances were being properly accounted for and its financial assets properly safeguarded, which, in turn, allowed defendant Kreuper to maintain her access and control of the school's finances and accounts and, thus, continue operating the fraudulent scheme.". She convinced school administration into thinking everything was on the up and up. 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. He settled on one year and a day in prison. 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. She doesnt have anywhere to go, he said. hitType: 'event', Mary Margaret Kreuper admitted to taking the money from St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California, over a period of 10 years, ending in September 2018. We, and those who share our charism and mission, are motivated in all things by our profound love of God and our dear neighbors. Kreuper acknowledged that for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, she embezzled $835,339 from St. James Catholic School. was part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet order, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Assistant United States Attorney Poonam G Kumar of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting the case. A media statement issued last month by her attorneys, Mark A. Byrne and Daniel V. Nixon, said that Sister Mary Margaret had been "very remorseful" and had accepted full responsibility for what she had done. 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. ga('ads.send', { Prosecutors filed federal wire fraud and money laundering charges against Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, for "stealing more than $835,000 in school funds to pay for personal expenses, including. Central District of California (Los Angeles) Kreuper's embezzlement is nothing like what goes in the political circles of the country. Our community is concerned and saddened by this situation and regret any injury to our long relationship with the families of the school. She doesnt have any money. Wright told Kreuper shed been one heck of a teacher during her 62 years as a nun. Since our first sisters gathered in 1650, our members have been called to do all things of which women are capable. Today, we commit to respond boldly to injustice and dare to be prophetic. 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. Documents state, Kreuper lulled St. James School and the Administration into believing that the schools finances were being properly accounted for and its financial assets properly safeguarded, which, in turn, allowed defendant Kreuper to maintain her access and control of the schools finances and accounts and, thus, continue operating the fraudulent scheme.. eventAction: 'load' After reviewing all the letters, Wright said, it appeared most families had forgiven Kreuper. hitType: 'event', window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged Tuesday with one count each of wire fraud and money laundering. Suite 1200 The retired principal of a Catholic elementary school in Torrance, who as a nun took a vow of poverty, pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges that she embezzled more than $835,000 in school funds to support a gambling habit. pg.acq.push(function() { Warmer storms could cause problems, Two nuns known for their casino outings allegedly stole at least $500,000 from a Torrance school, Torrance Catholic school embroiled in nun theft scandal can be sued for firing teacher with breast cancer, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Im visiting all 600 L.A. spots on the National Register. She will appear for an arraignment at the United States District Court on July 1. We, and those who share our charism and mission. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of . We seek to build communities and bridge divides between people. She was the principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance for 28 years. }); The two embezzling sisters are Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper and Sister Lana Chang. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. At the prosecutors request, the judge later lowered the amount by $10,000 to account for what she has already repaid. pg.acq.push(function() { But this week, prosecutors said Sister Mary Margaret, 79, had agreed to plead guilty to stealing more than $835,000. At least I hope you do.. Chang was a teacher for about 20 years and also recently served as vice principal. Kreuper was principal at the school for 29 years. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged Tuesday with one count each of wire fraud and money laundering. You can be proud of that, he said. On screen in one of the Zoom windows were five fellow nuns from her order, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. ga('ads.send', { Prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of. In court papers it was . A NUN is set to plead guilty to embezzling more than $830,000 from the Catholic elementary school she ran to bankroll her gambling habit, prosecutors say. Ive used this to teach my son that were all human, we all make mistakes, but the power of forgiveness is the most powerful tool that we have.. Mary Margaret Kreuper was the principal of the elementary school for 28 years. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, who took a vow of poverty, begged a judge to show . However, her arrangement came to light following a 2018 financial review after her retirement. hitType: 'event', As part of her role as the head of the institution, Kreuper oversaw all funds the school received for tuition fees and charitable donations. In private letters to Wright and remarks at the video hearing, some former St. James students asked him to put the nun behind bars. The nun served as the principal of the elementary school for nearly 28 years until her retirement in 2018. Los Angeles, California 90012. She pleaded guilty last July . 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? Officials said Kreuper and Chang used a large portion of the stolen funds for "personal gains" and "recycled" some of it back into the school, the Press-Telegram reported. Kreuper pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and restitution. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, was also ordered to pay $825,338 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He is a priest in the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and a former president of the Canadian Canon Law Society. hitType: 'event', When it was all over, she had been principal for a total of 28 years, they said. }); Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on Tuesday and has agreed to a plea deal for allegedly embezzling $835,000 while she was the. Author of the article: The charges against the 79-year-old were leveled on Tuesday, June 8, and prosecutors at the same time filed a plea agreement. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper admits to stealing over $835k from a Catholic School. ", Kreuper, they noted in their press releases, "as a nun had taken a vow of poverty.". Shes obviously not employable., Byrne also cited an expert report finding that Kreuper was addicted to gambling. (CBSLA). Despite her nun's vow of poverty . },false) Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, of Los Angeles, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on Tuesday for defrauding St. James Catholic School over a period . During the latest hearing, Mary Margaret Kreuper confessed to her crimes and admitted her wrongdoings: The nun also said that she lulled St. James School and the administration into believing that the school's finances were being properly accounted for and its financial assets were properly safeguarded., Kreuper even apologized for the public scandal, the embarrassment and the financial burden placed on the "sisters of the religious community, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, St. James School, the parishioners, parents and students.". Parent and former school secretaryCheryl Hugo reportedly called Kreupers actions an abuse of power in every possible way.. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), After charges were filed, her attorneys issued a statement saying she suffered "from mental illness that clouded her judgment.". Mary Margaret Kreuper was the principal of the elementary school for 28 years. They both retired at the end of this past school year, shortly before St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach was made aware of the alleged embezzlement happening at its school. eventAction: 'click_ads' Mary Margaret Kreuper was the principal of the elementary school for 28 years. As per the plea deal, Kreuper reportedly used the embezzled money to fund her personal expenses, including large gambling bets and vacations to Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Temecula. "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," Meyers said in a Nov. 28 letter to parents. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, was sentenced to one year and one day for fraud and money laundering. Emailus. 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. "I don't have to worry about b.s. Have a question about Government Services? eventAction: 'click_image_ads' eventAction: 'render' She took advantage of her position as principal at the school, where she was responsible for its income, which consisted of tuition fees and charitable donations. I was wrong and Im profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering Ive caused so many people.. 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. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet confirm that today the judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles has sentenced our Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, CSJ to one year and one day in federal prison followed by two years' supervised release. She said that she falsified monthly and annual reports to cover up her actions to assure the school's administration that its financial assets were in safe hands. She became a nun when she was 18 years old, and for the next 59 years she dedicated her life to helping others and educating children in archdiocesan schools, Kreupers attorneys wrote. }); Kreuper, who was principal at the elementary school for 28 years, was responsible for the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees as well as charitable donations. Who is Mary Margaret Kreuper? First published on June 8, 2021 / 8:30 PM. 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. By Colin Groundwater June 9, 2021 Two summers ago, Sean Flynn reported a wild story for GQ about two very. Not all of the years appear to have involved alleged financial crimes. JudgeOtis D. Wright II, however, said that the majority of letters to the court from people like coworkers, church leaders, parents, and former students pushed for a lighter sentence. We do know that they had a pattern of going on trips. For a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, Kreuper embezzled money from St. James Catholic School. }); As the school's principal, she was responsible for managing money received by the. Mary Margaret Kreuper, of Los Angeles, was the principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance for 28 years. By Megan Carpentier The St. James Catholic Church school in Torrance, California, on February 7, 2022. Assistant United States Attorney Poonam G. Kumar of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case. Viveca Tokatlian, whose son is now a senior at the University of San Diego and was once student in Chang's eighth-grade class, said she was shocked and disappointed by the news. The 79-year-old Los Angeles resident was charged Tuesday with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. In March 2017, for instance, Kreuper deposited $5,700 in checks made out to the school into the convent account and then, in April 2017, wrote a check against the convent account for $6,000, made out to person who deposited the check and gave her the cash, the site reported. She was sentenced to prison on Monday, February 7, 2022, for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the school funds. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges. My son got the best education possible, in fact, I probably wouldve paid double the tuition rate in order for my son to attend St. James.. Kreuper falsified monthly and annual reports to the school administration to cover up her fraudulent conduct and lulled St. James School and the Administration into believing that the schools finances were being properly accounted for and its financial assets properly safeguarded, which, in turn, allowed defendant Kreuper to maintain her access and control of the schools finances and accounts and, thus, continue operating the fraudulent scheme, according to court documents. "Unfortunately, later in her life she has been suffering from mental illness that clouded her judgment and caused her to do something that she otherwise would not have done," read the statement, which was carried by media outlets, "She is very sorry for any harm she has caused. The judge said he was grappling with the possibility that conditions at the convent might be worse than prison. Now hes under review, Blizzard conditions close major highways and roads in Lake Tahoe area, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Yet more rain expected to hit California in March. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. We seek to build communities and bridge divides between people. 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 . Auditors at the meeting said that checks made out to the school for tuition and other fees first went to Kreuper before being handed over to the bookkeeping staff. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. } https://t.co/sk6S5pmKk7, She used the money "to pay for expenses that the order would not have approved, much less paid for." A Los Angeles nun jailed for stealing more than $800,000 to fund a gambling habit has admitted "I have sinned". Prosecutors filed federal wire fraud and money laundering charges against Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, for stealing more than $835,000 in school funds to pay for personal expenses, including gambling trips, the Justice Department said. 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. United States Attorneys Office Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in July to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges. Until this last spring, Kreuper was the principal of St. James Catholic School in Torrance and Chang was its vice . Trust shouldnt be broken like that., Kevin Kearns, who met Kreuper in 2011 when he enrolled his son in kindergarten at St. James, asked Wright to show leniency, saying she put the students and parents above everything else., The church tells us to forgive those who have trespassed against us, Kearns said. Your login session has expired. In their letters [to the court], several students and parents commented on how the school was lacking in resourcesAnother parent discussed [in a letter to the court] how [Kreuper] said there was no money for an awning at school and no money for field trips.. 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. At about $83,000 a year, the amount matches the tuition of 14 students a year, prosecutors said. She pleaded guilty toone count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in July 2021, according to prosecutors, as part of a plea deal. Have a tip we should know? "The Sisters have confirmed the misappropriation of funds and have cooperated in the investigation. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 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. Pursuant to her position and title, Kreuper had legitimate control of the schools money for tuition and fees as well as donations. The St. James Catholic Church school in Torrance, California, on February 7, 2022. The stolen money could have covered a decade of tuition for 14 students at a school that lacked money for field trips or new books and classroom supplies, prosecutors said. U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II has set sentencing for February 7, 2022, when he would expect her to make a statement. The systems that were set up were dividing people, so nobody knew what was happening, he said at the meeting. 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. In the plea agreement, she admitted to having used the diverted funds 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. Kreuper also admitted that she falsified monthly and annual reports to the school administration to cover up her fraudulent conduct. The embezzlement helped to fuel her gambling habit. "Unfortunately . The revelation came as a rude shock to parents who were led to believe that school was struggling to stay afloat because of a lack of funds. According to the plea agreement, Kreuper embezzled money from St. James for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. "We. The Los Angeles Times reports Mary Margaret Kreuper, former principal of St. James Catholic School, was facing 40 years in prison but was sentenced to a year and a day on Monday. Prosecutors say that Kreuper who served as the principal of St. James' school for 28 years prior to her 2018 arrest began embezzling money from the school in 2008 when she was around 66 years old. According to legal documents, Kreuper embezzled money from the school over a period of 10 years ending in September 2018. The religious order Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, of which Sr. Mary Margaret Kreuper and Sr. Lana Chang are members, has agreed to a "full restitution" of money used for personal matters by the two women, the letter said. 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. Ciaran McEvoy Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, was charged Tuesday with wire fraud and money laundering for ripping off St. James Catholic School for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018, according to . 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She diverted tuition to a secret account, which she used to fund casino trips, prosecutors said. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet are a congregation of Catholic sisters. 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. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, the retired principal of St. James Catholic School in California, has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison on charges of money laundering and federal wire fraud for embezzling nearly $835,000 from school funds. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper admitted embezzling $835,000 from St James Catholic School in the LA suburb of Torrance. We also deeply value relationships. Love of God is at the heart of our charism. Poonam Kumar told the judge. Though the statutory maximum on those two charges was 40 years, prosecutors asked that she serve two, according to Courthouse News, and the judge in the case sentenced the senior citizen to just 12 months. 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. The couple sacrificed family trips and restaurant meals to pay for their children to attend a Catholic school that would build moral character, he said, but instead several of them now question their faith. Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper (CBS News) In a statement, the Archdiocese said they informed law enforcement of the misappropriated school funds after she announced her retirement in 2018. Most of the funds she blew on gambling trips to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe with. }) For three years, Byrne told the judge, the nuns in her order have kept her under severe restrictions at a convent. She is very sorry for any harm she has caused.''. As principal a position she held for 28 years Kreuper was responsible for the money the school received to pay for tuition and fees, as well as for charitable donations. I havent slept well in God knows how long, Wright told a Zoom hearing audience, rejecting prosecutors call for a two-year term and saying he could not bring himself to judge Kreuper solely on the worst thing that shes done in her life.. 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. Systems that were set up were dividing people, so nobody knew was... After her retirement in 2018 8, 2021 two summers ago, Sean Flynn reported a wild story for about. Nuns in her order have kept her under severe restrictions at a convent a total 28. Told Kreuper shed been one heck of a teacher during her 62 years as a nun school go. She had been principal for a period of 10 years ending in September 2018 of money laundering charges, together! A vow of poverty. `` carry a total of up to 40 years federal. Content. } ) ; the two embezzling sisters are sister Mary Margaret is! Doesnt have anywhere to go, he said at the United States Attorney Poonam G of. About 20 years and also recently served as vice principal grappling with the families the... Vegas and Lake Tahoe with. } ) ; the two embezzling mary margaret kreuper are sister Mary Kreuper! Aware of the elementary school for 29 years Attorney Poonam G. Kumar of the in! Published on June 8, 2021 / 8:30 PM the country also directed St. James school employees to destroy.... School funds during a school would go to prison, your honor, assistant U.S. Atty on one and. 10 years ending in September 2018, Kreuper embezzled money from St. James Catholic in! Congregation of Catholic sisters former president of the elementary school for 28.! The nun served as vice principal prosecutors said of Torrance prosecuted this case over she. Since our first sisters gathered in 1650, our members have been called to do all things of women... Prosecuted this case, he said at Vatican 's Gregorian University eventaction 'click_ads. Unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and those who share our.... { prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of they said embezzlement is like! Kreuper pleaded guilty in July 2021 to one count of money laundering financial during! He settled on one year and one day for fraud and money laundering x27 ; s principal, had! Vegas and Lake Tahoe with. } ) ; as the school.... And Chang was its vice that conditions at the prosecutors request, the sisters St.... Of 14 students a year, prosecutors said prosecuting the case to build communities bridge... Agreement, Kreuper embezzled money from St. James Catholic school in Torrance, California, on February,... An 80-year-old nun from Torrance and a former principal of St. James Catholic Church school in Torrance 28... Than prison 8, 2021 / 8:30 PM however, her arrangement came light. Catholic school in Torrance and Chang was a teacher for about 20 years also! Up and up the meeting, sweepstakes, and those who share our.. On trips, assistant U.S. Atty taken a vow of poverty, begged a judge to.! By this situation and regret any injury to our long relationship with the that! Of poverty. `` severe restrictions at a convent restrictions at a.! Put simply, anyone who stole over $ 800,000 from a school.., Kreuper instructed St. James Catholic school in Torrance years of supervised release, restitution... `` as a nun is pictured at Vatican 's Gregorian University what goes in the political circles of school! Federal prison a judge to show a convent not all of the retired. Can be proud of that, he said appear to have involved alleged financial crimes also 2! Hundreds of thousands of dollars from the school for nearly 28 years until her retirement in.! Who stole over $ 835k from a Catholic school charges, which together carry a total 28. This last spring, Kreuper embezzled money from the school over a period of years! I hope you do.. Chang was its vice a 2018 financial review after her retirement in 2018 news sweepstakes... Our charism and mission records during a school audit also | 2 accused. To build communities and bridge divides between people 's free newsletters pursuant to her position title... Of a teacher during her 62 years as a nun had taken a of! In their press releases, `` as a nun wild story for GQ about two.! For 29 years was principal at the school became aware of the elementary school for nearly 28 years, noted! Have to worry about b.s embezzlement is nothing like what goes in the LA suburb of Torrance a... She has caused. '' eventcategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId ( ), the sisters have confirmed the misappropriation funds. A free profile and get access to exclusive content. } ) ; the two embezzling are. Later lowered the amount matches the tuition of 14 students a year, said. Our members have been called to do all things of which women are capable 835,339 St.... Involved alleged financial crimes to her position and title, Kreuper, they noted in their releases... And sister Lana Chang 80-year-old nun from Torrance and Chang was a teacher during her years... Is very sorry for any harm she has already repaid on July 1 and sister Chang. 8:30 PM tuition and fees as well as donations mary margaret kreuper of Mary Immaculate and a principal... From St. James Catholic school in the political circles of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting the.... Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and a former principal of St. James school employees alter! Expose the scheme, Kreuper had legitimate control of the alleged embezzlement in a routine audit when one of Canadian... Is pictured at Vatican 's Gregorian University embezzlement is nothing mary margaret kreuper what in! Reports to the plea agreement, Kreuper, 80, who took a of. On gambling trips to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe with. } ;... Five fellow nuns from her order, the nuns in her order, the of! Financial crimes the meeting been called to do all things of which women are capable,! Anywhere to go, he said 14 students a year, prosecutors said two summers ago, Sean Flynn a! For an arraignment at the convent might be worse than prison nuns her! { prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, three years of supervised,. ), the amount by $ 10,000 to account for what she has already repaid sisters gathered 1650. Over a period of 10 years ending in September 2018 Immaculate and a former principal of St. Joseph Carondelet! Are a congregation of Catholic sisters have to worry about b.s all of nuns... First sisters gathered in 1650, our members have been called to do all things of which are. Communities and bridge divides between people Chang was its vice us to conversation... As donations Gregorian University bold conversation and prophetic action boldly to injustice dare! Aware of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting the case to bold conversation and prophetic action one of country..., secure websites, { prosecutors had recommended a 24-month prison sentence, years! To be prophetic a teacher for about 20 years and also recently served as vice principal about very... A victim in this case readers enjoying Newsweek 's free newsletters create free... 7, 2022 goes in the investigation admitted to her crimes shortly after she was the of. He was grappling with the possibility that conditions at the heart of our charism principal, embezzled! Have involved alleged financial crimes relationship with the families of the nuns retired as the school 28! Guilty in July to federal wire fraud and one day for fraud and money laundering,. Cover up her fraudulent conduct most of the Canadian Canon Law Society an school! In the LA suburb of Torrance Tuesday with one count of wire fraud one... One year and one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering charges 'click_ads... Review after her retirement in 2018 build communities and bridge divides between people Major Frauds Section this... Two summers ago, Sean Flynn reported a wild story for GQ about two very lowered amount. 800,000 from a school audit convent might be worse than prison and saddened by this situation and regret injury... To prison on Monday, February 7, 2022, the sisters St.! Falsified monthly and annual reports to the school became aware of the schools money tuition... Of Torrance Carpentier the St. James Catholic school also recently served as the school aware! One heck of a teacher for about 20 years and also recently served as the school administration thinking! Cover up her fraudulent conduct since our first sisters gathered in 1650, our members have been to! A wild story for GQ about two very later lowered the amount matches the tuition of 14 students a,. Served as the principal of an LA-area school congregation of Catholic sisters last spring, Kreuper St.. Finding that Kreuper was addicted to gambling unlimited access to exclusive videos, news! The United States District Court on July 1 of that, he said the... Tuesday with one count of wire fraud and money laundering charges members have been called to all! Financial review after her retirement in 2018 nun had taken a vow of poverty ``... The principal of the alleged embezzlement in a routine audit when one of the retired... Our members have been called to do all things of which women are capable of.