Archdiocese employee fired over credit card irregularities

by Nancy Lebens, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says it has fired an employee investigated for irregularities involving credit card transactions.

A brief statement released via email Wednesday reads "the Archdiocese's accounting staff recently identified irregularities related to documentation of certain credit card transactions by a lay employee in the accounting department."

The Archdiocese began the investigation, and then appointed an "independent committee" to look into the matter. The findings were turned over the police, which are investigating, according to the Archdiocese.

The church adds the financial losses will not affect the church's finances, and is expected to be "substantially" covered by insurance.

Archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath said he can't comment further, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.