Reverend Lawrence Kozak of St. Thomas More Church in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, found himself in legal trouble, facing accusations of theft and felony. Kozak’s downfall began in November 2022 when he was removed from his position due to financial irregularities detected in the parish funds.
An official statement from the archdiocese shed light on the situation, stating, “Father Lawrence Kozak was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese in November of 2022. His administrative leave followed a review of Saint Thomas More Parish’s financial activity by the Archdiocesan Office for Parish Services and Support.” The investigation revealed questionable expenses, prompting the matter to be referred to law enforcement.
Kozak’s arrest on April 25th marked a significant development in the case, with the former priest now facing felony theft charges. Despite the allegations, he remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The shocking revelation emerged that Kozak had allegedly misappropriated over $40,000 from the church’s funds. Astonishingly, the funds weren’t used for conventional purposes but were purportedly squandered on mobile and slot machine games, including titles such as ‘Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Cash Frenzy,’ and ‘Willy Wonka Vegas Casino Slots.’
In an interview, Kozak defended his actions, claiming he viewed the spending as merely “powering up” in the games rather than gambling. He asserted that he sought counseling for his addiction and denied the accusations, suggesting that the charges were fueled by the church’s credit card being linked to his device.
However, evidence presented by the Pennsylvania State Police detective painted a damning picture. Over 2,000 transactions labeled as “gaming” were allegedly traced to Kozak’s billing statements from September 2019 to June 2022. Shockingly, he purportedly spent $214,000 from personal savings, with an additional $44,000 charged solely to the church’s credit card. The same credit card was also allegedly used for purchasing gifts for Kozak’s goddaughters.
Efforts to make amends were evident as records showed Kozak attempting to repay the church, with $10,000 reportedly transferred from his personal savings to the church’s account. He also sent an $8,000 check to Father Kletzel, the new priest, accompanied by a letter of apology detailing the items purchased.
Kozak, who has posted bail, is scheduled to appear in Chester County Magisterial District Court to answer the criminal charges.