Apr 8, 2009 6:06 am US/Eastern
DA: Minister Used Church Money For Botox, Clothes
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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A minister at the St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Church in Staten Island is accused of stealing money from the faithful.
CBS
Plenty of people want to look younger and more attractive, but a member of the clergy? A Staten Island minister is accused of ripping off his faithful for his own vanity affairs.
The minister who allegedly stole church money for personal use is Reverend William Blasingame, who is 66. Earlier this year, he resigned as pastor of St. Paul's Memorial Episcopal Chruch in Stapleton where he served for 31 years. He's charged with two felonies for allegedly fleecing the flock of nearly $85,000.
Law enforcement sources say he took the money to pay for plastic surgery, Botox and fancy clothes.
"There are various theories we're exploring now. Some involve medical procedures. Some involve membership in clubs," said Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan.
James Hasson, the minister's attorney, says the accusations are dumbfounded.
"A couple of his friends just got off the phone to say he buys his clothes at the Salvation Army and they don't know anything about plastic surgery," says Hasson.
Suggesting a cosmetic makeover, the New York Post today dubbed Blasingame "Friar Tuck." Donovan says it was four years ago that Blasingame began tapping the church's maintenance and emergency funds for personal use. He lives modestly in a home that's in need of repair. Neighbors of the church who say they are friends of the minister applaud his many good works over the years and believe any surgery may have been related to cancer.
"He had cancer. Skin cancer," said Marjorie O'Callaghan, Blasingame's neighbor. "If he did this for skin cancer, I totally understand that. Taking money, I don't understand that."
Friends say he was also hooked on alcohol and drugs.
"We know he had an addiction. It was very evident and very sad," said Andrea DiVito, another neighbor.
Blasingame is charged with larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, and was released without bail. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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