Monsignor Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud Charges

PHILADELPHIA – William Dombrow, of Darby, PA, pled guilty to four counts of wire fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen. Dombrow, a Monsignor in the Archdiocese who is currently on administrative leave, is charged with fraudulently diverting more than $535,000 in Archdiocese funds for his own personal use.

Dombrow resided at the Villa Saint Joseph Retirement home in Darby, PA, which also served as home to a number of retired priests. In his position as Monsignor, Dombrow had sole access to a Villa Saint Joseph bank account at Sharon Savings Bank, which was funded by gifts from wills and life insurance proceeds that were intended for the Archdiocese. Today Dombrow admitted that from December 2007 through May 2016 he withdrew, or caused to be withdrawn, and fraudulently misappropriated approximately $535,258.11 in fraudulently obtained funds from the bank account that he controlled at Sharon Savings Bank, and spent the funds at casinos in Chester, the Poconos, and Aruba, as well as funding a lavish lifestyle for himself.

Sentencing has been set for August 15, 2017 before the Honorable Jeffrey Schmehl, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Dombrow faces a maximum of 80 years’ imprisonment for all four counts of wire fraud, $1,000,000 in fines, 5 years of supervised release, a $400 special assessment, and mandatory restitution. Dombrow is 77 years of age.

This case was investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Darby Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.