New York City, N.Y., Jan 30, 2012 / 22:58 pm
An Archdiocese of New York employee allegedly stole about $1 million from the archdiocese’s Department of Education Finance Office in a “sophisticated fraud” over several years’ time.
Anita Collins, an employee of the archdiocese since 2003, was fired on Dec. 6, 2011 when the alleged fraud was discovered.
The archdiocese and outside auditors discovered the theft after new oversight controls and safeguards were implemented in 2011, archdiocesan spokesman Joseph Zwilling said Jan. 30.
The theft was initially believed to be at least $350,000, but an investigation from the Manhattan District Attorney determined the new estimate.