Detroit Priest, Acquaintance Face Jury Trials In Angel Fund Theft

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A Catholic priest and an acquaintance have requested jury trials in the theft of money from a fund set up to help poor people in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said 57-year-old Father Timothy Kane, of Detroit, and 34-year-old Dorreca Brewer, of Jackson, were arraigned Thursday in circuit court. Both were charged last month with several counts, including conspiracy to operate a criminal enterprise, using a computer to commit a crime, embezzlement and uttering and publishing.

Prosecutors say the pair approved false applications for the Angel Fund and pocketed thousands of dollars over four years.

The fund had been run by the Archdiocese of Detroit and granted more than $17 million to needy people since 2005. Monsignor Michael Bougarans said the fund helped pay for rent, medicine, overdue utility bills and other necessities.

"It was an honor system based on the person had to apply to the local priest, the priest signed off, it was someone they knew, they signed the form saying the request was legitimate," Bougarans told WWJ Newsradio 950.

Father Kane, who became a priest in 1982, has worked at the Detroit Church of the Madonna, and St. Gregory the Great — both in Detroit. He also acted as Christian Service Contactor at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The Angel Fund is scheduled to end April 30 after its private donor ended financing.

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