Religion Roundup
Former Top Cleveland Church Accountant Convicted
The Associated Press
July 4, 2008
CLEVELAND - A federal jury has convicted the former chief financial officer of Cleveland's Roman Catholic Diocese of tax charges, but acquitted him of more serious charges related to alleged kickbacks.
Joseph H. Smith sat calmly at the defense table and showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. The jury had been deliberating for nearly two weeks.
The prosecution portrayed Smith as a manipulator who arranged $785,000 in kickbacks and secret payments because he felt he was underpaid.
He was acquitted of mail fraud related to the alleged kickbacks, but was convicted of six tax-related charges, including conspiracy to defraud the IRS. A judge had earlier dismissed money laundering charges.
Sentencing was set for October 3rd. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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