A priest accused of stealing church funds and swindling parishioners has pleaded guilty to theft charges. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says a Jefferson County judge on Tuesday accepted Father Thomas Marr’s guilty pleas to charges of theft in a business setting and theft by fraud.
According to the criminal complaint, Marr served as priest for a Watertown area parish. Between 2007-2009, the complaint alleges Marr took money from various parish accounts, and also allegedly solicited money from parishioners, family members, other clergy, and friends, claiming that he Marr intended to use the funds to assist parish members in financial distress. Marr promised that he would repay these people quickly. Marr provided the money he obtained to assist a second person in recovering money that person claimed was owed him from an overseas business transaction. A presentence investigation report will be completed before Marr is sentenced. He faces up to 10 years or a $10,000 fine, or both, on each count.