Chesco Priest Stole $40K From Church For Candy Crush, Other Online Games: Police

SOUTH COVENTRY, PA — A Chester County priest spent some $44,000 of the church's money in online phone games like Candy Crush, authorities said.

Lawrence Kozak also spent church funds on Pokemon Go, Mario Kart, and "virtual slot machine games," police said.

Kozak, who worked at Saint Thomas More Parish off Pottstown Pike in South Coventry, was originally placed on administrative review back in Nov. 2022 when church officials noted suspicious financial activity.

Kozak spent a total of $214,000 on his Apple ID on the games, CBS News reported, including the $44,000 of church money he used.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said they referred the case to police when they began to realize what had happened.

"That review resulted in certain expenses and expenditure levels utilizing parish funds being questioned," a spokesperson for the church told Patch. "The Archdiocese and the parish will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as the criminal matter enters its next phase."

Kozak was arrested on April 25. He faces charges of felony theft and related counts.

Kozak was released on bail, according to court documents, and a preliminary hearing is forthcoming.