Gambling Nun Stole School Funds, Gets 366 Days in Jail
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Nun, Maria Kreuper, embezzled more than $835,000 from St. James Catholic School in Torrance, California to fund her gambling habit. She was sentenced to 366 days in prison and ordered to pay $825,338.57 in restitution.
Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, 80, stole money from the Catholic school and was sentenced to 366 days in prison. She will be under supervision for 2 years after her release.
Kreuper stole $83,000 from St. James Catholic School in 10 years. She asked parents to donate more money to the school. The school had no money for awnings or field trips. She was in charge of the money St James received through charitable donations and tuition fees. Her embezzlement spree earned her a number six place in Vegas Slots Online News’10 Worst US Gambling Crime Headliners of 2021.
Prosecutors asked for a two-year prison sentence for Kreuper. The crimes she committed carried a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in federal prison. Judge Wright expressed his struggle to find the proper sentence.
