Collared: Massachusetts Priest Accused of Stealing $83,000 To Support Porn Habit

In Massachusetts, prosecutors are dealing with a bizarre case of a man who allegedly store $83,147 to pay for his pornography habit. What makes the case even more bizarre is that the victim was the St. John the Baptist Church and the alleged felon was its pastor, Rev. Keith LeBlanc.

LeBlanc is accused of using a credit card for online porn. Police found a $25,000 balance and allege that LeBlanc admitted to his addiction. They say that, the day after LeBlanc came to the parish, he racked up an adult movie bill on Comcast worth $4,021.14. It got so bad that he allegedly forged the name of the chairwoman of the parish’s Finance Committee on an audit slip.

LeBlanc has been sent to St. John Vianney Center in Pennsylvania, which treats “behavioral health issues” of clergy.

This is not the first time that we have seen clergy raiding the church coffers. Past collared defendants include clerics who used church money for male escorts, a hitman, and botox. One priest left the church funds alone and turned to shoplifting.

The greatest problem for LeBlanc is that, while a first offender, he was in a position of authority and trust for sentencing. The court could feel that some jail time is warranted for breach the trust of his flock and victimizing a church. On the other hand, this has all of the elements of a true habit. The courts have not reached a consensus on how to treat pornography and whether it can be given the same treatment as a chemical or alcohol addiction.

Source: Eagle Tribune.

Kudos: Elaine M.

Jonathan Turley