Draft:Gradilone Embezzlement Scandal

The Gradilone Embezzlement Scandal was an embezzlement of funds by Monsignor Thomas J. Gradilone at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs church.

Background
Gradoline had been a long-time member of the parish's clergy, and had retired from his post as pastor less than a year before the investigation (in early 2002).

Investigation
The investigation started when accountants from the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens came to check the church's amounts received from Sunday collections and transactions by the church. Soon after, it was found that a number of the recorded amounts were erased, casting suspicion on the priest in charge of financial security, Thomas Gradilone. After further investigation on the transactions of the church led by the Queens County District Attorney, Richard A. Brown, it was discovered that a total of 2 to up to 8 million dollars was taken from the church's funds by Gradilone over the past 20 years of his service to the parish. Part of the money was claimed by some of the diocese' financial officers to be in the possesion of "at least one convicted felon". When questioned by the church's Bishop, Thomas V. Daily, Gradilone said he "gave significant sums to people in need", which the bishop expressed doubts about.

Aftermath
Gradilone was sent to a Canadian retreat for troubled priests, and now lives in the rectory of St. Margaret Mary Church in Brooklyn.