Former Philly archdiocese CFO arrested in $900K theft

The former chief financial officer of the Philadelphia Archdiocese was arrested Tuesday and faces charges of stealing $900,000.

The city district attorney’s office notified archdiocese officials over the summer about the theft after irregularities were reported by a credit card company.

CFO Anita Guzzardi, who cooperated in the investigation, was placed on administrative leave and then fired July 22.

“Estimates show that Guzzardi embezzled more than $900,000 from the general operating fund of the archdiocese,” said Kenneth Gavin, an archdiocese spokesman.

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The loss of most of the stolen money is covered by insurance, Gavin said. The theft had no effect on decisions to close any of the archdiocese schools, he said.

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