 Father Joseph LeClair, formerly of Blessed Sacrament in Ottawa, in a 2005 QMI Agency file photo. (Tony Caldwell/QMI Agency)
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OTTAWA — An Ottawa priest who previously admitted to gambling problems has been charged after an investigation found more than $240,000 in cheques were misappropriated.
Joseph LeClair, 55, was charged with one count each of fraud of $5,000 and theft over $5,000.
A complaint was filed by the Ottawa Archdiocese in August in relation to concerns about the financial administration at Blessed Sacrament Parish.
Police investigations uncovered more than $240,000 in the form of cheques from the parish were misappropriated. Further, more than $160,000 in cash was missing.
The investigation covered a review period from Jan. 2006 to May 2011.
Police investigations also found about $20,000 in furniture and household items belonging to the parish were taken when LeClair left.
Police say fraud investigators recovered a portion of those items in a home outside of Ontario.
QMI Agency reported that in April, 2011, LeClair admitted to his congregation he was struggling with depression and had lost control of a gambling problem.
However, LeClair said his addiction was supported with his own money -- not church funds.
This past March, QMI learned the church had hired accountants to keep a watchful eye over funds and would require two signatures on church cheques.
LeClair is scheduled to appear in court July 25.
marlo.cameron@sunmedia.ca
