Gambling nun pleads guilty to stealing $128,000 from church
Officials believe Sister Rapp spent the money at casinos, and she reportedly had previously sought treatment for a gambling addiction.
A Catholic nun pleaded guilty in a US court Tuesday to stealing $128,000 from rural churches to fuel a casino gambling addiction.
Sister Mary Anne Rapp, 68, was charged with grand larceny in November when the theft was uncovered during a routine audit, the BBC reported.
Authorities allege Rapp, who had previously sought treatment for a gambling addiction, stole the money from St Mary’s Church in Holley and St. Mark’s Church in Kendall between 2006 and April 2011.
A nun for almost 50 years, Rapp served at both churches and has told investigators she stole the money because she was a gambling addict, the Daily News reported.
At the time of her arrest, Rapp's attorney, James Harrington, said his client was a good person who had served her community well.
"She's been a nun for a very long time, been a very good person, never in any trouble before," he told AAP.
"She did great work wherever she was assigned."
Rapp faces up to six months jail for her crime. She will be sentenced on 1 July.