ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — A longtime Brevard County priest is out of jail and out of the ministry after he was accused of stealing more than $80,000 from an elderly woman.
Nicholas King, 73, was arrested Saturday on larceny charges.
Investigators said he was living outside of his $28,000 a year means, with two Cocoa Beach condos, Brevard County property records show are owned by him.
A 15-page arrest warrant shows the priest took $88,700 from a 79-year-old widow.
Investigators said it happened from last September until July of this year when the victim’s account was overdrawn.
Police said the victim gave King pre-signed blank checks with an understanding King would ask permission to obtain money for repairs and needs at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockledge.
King is accused of writing all the checks out to himself.
The arrest report said he paid off a new car, gave money to his sister and spent hundreds of dollars buying alcohol and eating at restaurants.
Investigators said when questioned about the expenses, the priest admitted to hiding the money from the Diocese so they would not spend it.
The Diocese sent a statement saying, “We are saddened by the news of his arrest and ask that people of good will pray for Father King during this difficult time.”
The arrest warrant said the Diocese paid the victim $31,000 to help get her back on her feet again.