Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Villa St. Joseph rector charged with theft
The monsignor in charge of Villa St. Joseph in Darby is charged with stealing more than $500,000.
The rector for Villa St. Joseph retirement home was charged Wednesday with embezzling more than $500,000 from the Darby Borough facility in for personal use. The Rev. Msgr. William A. Dombrow, 77, was arrested on four counts of wire fraud, according to a release issued by Acting U.S. Attorney Louis D. Lappen. Dombrow, who is currently on administrative leave, is charged with fraudulently diverting $535,258.11 in funds intended for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The money may have been used to cover fancy dinners, Philadelphia Pops concerts, and his tab at Harrah’s casino in Chester, according to Philly.com.
Dombrow resides at Villa St. Joseph, which also serves as home to a number of retired priests. In his position, Dombrow had sole access to Villa St. Joseph bank accounts at Sharon Savings Bank, which was funded by gifts from wills and life insurance proceeds that were intended for the archdiocese, according to the federal release. From December 2007 through May 2016, Dombrow allegedly withdrew or caused to be withdrawn and fraudulently misappropriated about $525,258.11 from the bank account.
Quoting Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rotella, who is prosecuting the case, Philly.com reported that the theft was discovered after Sharon Savings Bank, which administered the account, flagged payments and deductions at Harrah’s and notified the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
“He was the one who had sole access to this account and misappropriated the funds for his personal use,” Rotella told Philly.com. “He used it to fund a more lavish lifestyle for himself.”
If convicted of all charges, Dombrow faces a maximum of 80 years imprisonment, possible fines, and three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Darby Borough Police Department.