In what has been a recurring theme in PCG’s news coverage this week, a Catholic priest in Pottstown, Pennsylvania has been accused by police of spending over $40,000 of church funds on mobile games. The games include Candy Crush, Mario Kart Tour, Pokémon Go, slot machine games, and Cash Frenzy, among others.
According to a report by The Philadelphia Inquirer (via Kotaku), Reverend Lawrence Kozak was charged by Pennsylvania police for using a credit card tied to Saint Thomas More Parish to make these purchases totaling $41,879.83 over several years.
The irregularities were first brought to light by church officials in 2022, leading to police involvement.
Kozak explained to investigators that he had both his personal bank card and the parish credit card connected to his iPhone for payments related to “streaming” and “Microsoft Office.”
He claimed he may have accidentally used the parish card for game purchases because he did not pay close attention to details on bills.
Police documents reveal extensive Apple transactions associated with Kozak’s Apple ID from 2018 to 2022, totaling $214,265.08, some of which match irregular transactions found in the church’s financial records.
Additionally, Kozak made payments toward the parish’s credit card balance from his personal bank account, totaling $10,600.
Aside from the Apple transactions, records show parish funds were used to purchase items on Amazon, including a Fire Tablet and a child’s backpack shipped to Kozak’s goddaughter, with notes signed as “Uncle Larry.”
Following the investigation, church officials placed Kozak on administrative leave in November 2022. He later sent a check for $8,000 labeled as “Parish reimbursement” along with an apology letter to his replacement at Saint Thomas More Parish.
Kozak, who admitted to struggling with video game addiction, has been charged with theft and related offenses and was released after posting $250,000 bail.
