Catholic Priest Avoids Jail Time After Stealing $40,000 for Gaming Addiction
By BETHAN SEXTON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM | 30 April 2025
POTTSTOWN, PA — Father Lawrence Kozak, a 52-year-old Catholic priest, has received an unusual sentence after pleading guilty to embezzling $40,000 from St. Thomas More Church to support his addiction to online games such as Mario Kart and Candy Crush. He was spared jail and instead sentenced to 80 hours of community service and required to write an apology letter to his parishioners.
The shocking revelation came to light during a financial review in 2022, which exposed Kozak’s extensive spending on in-game purchases for online casinos and gifts for family members. While the funds were intended for church-related activities, records showed Kozak had gained little from his gaming endeavors, as these online platforms do not pay out real money.
In court, Kozak attributed his misdeeds to stress from the pandemic, grief from his father’s passing, and recovery from a serious car accident that led to a partial leg amputation. Despite initially denying the misuse of church funds, he later acknowledged his inattention to financial responsibilities. “I am deeply sorry for the pain and difficulty that was caused to the parishioners,” he stated.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has put Kozak on administrative leave and initiated a canonical investigation into his actions. Critics, including the advocacy group Catholics4Change, have labeled his apology as insincere, suggesting it reflects broader issues within church hierarchy. They argue that this incident demonstrates deep flaws in the promotion of clergy, calling for accountability from higher church officials.
Kozak has been barred from any future roles involving financial responsibility. His actions have raised serious questions about oversight and accountability within the church.
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