Detroit Priest Gets 'Unusual' Sentence In Charity Theft

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) — A Detroit-area Catholic priest will spend two months in jail each calendar year for the next five years for stealing money from a charity for the poor.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Bruce Morrow's sentence calls for the Rev. Timothy Kane to be jailed during the months of December and June. Another eight weeks will be determined by probation officials.

Kane also was sentenced Monday to five years' probation and restitution of $131,400. He was ordered to report Tuesday to the Wayne County Jail.

Kane told Morrow "the sadness and embarrassment is overwhelming." Kane's Attorney Stephen Sharg spoke with WWJ's Marie Osborne after the ruling.

"I consider this the right decision by the judge," Sharg said. "It could always be better, but it was the right decision to make. I think it was a just sentence, the judge really took his time and evaluated the whole situation. I think it was a just verdict under the situation."

A jury found Kane guilty in October of crimes including embezzlement between $1,000 and $20,000 from the Angel Fund, an Archdiocese of Detroit charity created to help people in need. The 58-year-old denied the charges and said he wrongly signed a confession to police.

Assistant prosecutor Maria Miller says sentencing guidelines called for 36 months to 60 months.

"This is a most unusual sentence that is below the defendant's guidelines," Miller said. "It is especially troubling considering that he was convicted as charged of multiple counts of stealing money from the poor. We will be determining whether we will appeal the case in the next several days."

Kane was offered a plea deal before the trial but declined.

A woman who authorities say conspired with Kane was sentenced in October to five years of probation and a $5,000 fine. She pleaded no contest to charges including embezzlement and conspiracy.

Kane begins serving the first portion of his sentence on Dec. 16.

MORE: Michigan Priest Faces Sentencing In Charity Theft From 'Angel Fund'

Detroit-Area Priest Convicted Of Stealing From Angel Fund Charity

Investigator Says Priest Confessed To Theft After Arrest: 'He Did It For Prison Inmate'

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