Archdiocese's ex-CFO pleads in $900k theft

PHILADELPHIA - July 2, 2012 (WPVI) -- A former financial executive of the Philadelphia archdiocese will be sentenced next month in the theft of more than $900,000 from the church.

Forty-two-year-old Anita Guzzardi of Haddon Neights, N.J. pleaded guilty Friday to charges of theft by deception, unlawful use of a computer and forgery.

Prosecutors said Guzzardi used hundreds of church checks to pay personal credit card bills from 2005 to 2011. The investigation began after American Express contacted authorities.

Guzzardi had worked for the Roman Catholic archdiocese since 1989 and had just been promoted to chief financial officer at the time of her arrest. She is scheduled for sentencing August 24.

Prosecutors said they have recovered more than $250,000 of the funds.

Guzzardi's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.

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