METAIRIE, La. -- The former bookkeeper at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church and School in Metairie is facing four counts of felony theft over $1,500 for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition money from the school over a period of four years.
Parents and parishioners have been left with many unanswered questions, as the investigation has stretched on for more than two years.
The discovery was first made in 2013, according to the incident report filed by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigators.
In July of that year, a new pastor, Father Beau Charbonnet, took over the parish and the school. He requested a tuition audit. The numbers didn't add up.
According to the sheriff's report, the previous pastor and school principal said they thought it had been put into a separate account for the school. But when Charbonnet requested a second, outside audit of the school's books, the CPA found more than $223,000 missing.
Eight days before Christmas in 2013, with the blessing of the archbishop, Charbonnet reported the theft to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
A month later, the school's accountant, Linda Benedetto, was booked on four counts of felony theft.
None of the parents we talked to wanted to go on the record or on camera for this story. But a source close to the case said Benedetto reached out to parents who were behind on their tuition and told them if they paid cash, she would waive any late fees.
It took the district attorney's office more than a year to officially charge Benedetto.
During that time, Magistrage Commissioner Paul Schneider gave Benedetto permission to take a Norweigan cruise that she had bought and paid for before her arrest.
Benedetto's attorney Michael Ciaccio didn't return our calls for comment.
While parents knew there was an investigation going on, they have anonymously said they knew little about what really went on.
In March 2015, after Benedetto was charged, Charbonnet sent a letter to the congregation and to the school, saying, "As further information comes to light, I would ask you as a faith family to continue to join with me in prayer for those needing our prayers."
The incident report shows Charbonnet and Wendy Vitter, a lawyer for the Archdiocese, interviewed Benedetto about the missing money before they reported it to the sheriff's office. The report says Benedetto admitted misappropriating $38,000 of it and said she stole, but paid back, $3,000 more.
Again, in all, auditors found $223,000 in tuition missing.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans wouldn't say what has been done about the missing money and the implications for the school.
They issued the following statement about the situation:
"Over a year and half ago, pastoral leadership at St. Angela Merici discovered discrepancies in a routine financial audit. The pastor, Fr. Beau Charbonnet immediately informed both Archdiocese of New Orleans officials and law enforcement. Since then archdiocesan and St. Angela Merici leadership have been working with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office on this investigation. Earlier this year, following several months of cooperation between St. Angela parish staff and civil authorities, former staff member at St. Angela Merici, Linda Benedetto, was charged with the theft from the school. We will continue to work with authorities as the case moves forward. Because of the ongoing investigation we cannot make any further statements at this time but ask for prayers for all involved and that this issue may be quickly and justly resolved."
Benedetto appeared in court Monday for a status conference. Her next court appearance is set for July 27.
