A Catholic priest in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, allegedly used a church credit card to spend over $40,000 on “power-ups” in mobile games Mario Kart Tour And Candy Crush over a period of three years.
As reported by The Philadelphia InquiryROn April 25, Rev. Lawrence Kozak, 51, was charged with theft and other related offenses, according to an affidavit outlining probable cause for his arrest. He has since been released after posting $250,000 bail. His lawyer is reviewing the charges.
According to investigators, an accountant who works at Kozak’s church discovered “an astronomical amount of Apple transactions” on the church’s credit card statements while reviewing its finances in 2022. The purchases reportedly began in September 2019, shortly after Rev. Kozak joined the church, and ended in July 2022. The Apple ID is said to be used to purchase content in mobile games Candy Crush And Mario Kart Tour was registered with Kozak. Investigators also discovered that an Amazon account linked to the priest had used church funds to purchase items such as a fire tablet for Kozak’s goddaughter. The gifts included a note signed by “Uncle Larry.”
Other records showed Kozak once used his personal bank account to pay off $10,000 from the church’s credit card bill.
Kozak was questioned by police in 2022
Investigators reportedly interviewed Kozak in 2022 and the priest told them he was seeking counseling for his mobile gaming addiction. He clarified to investigators that he did not spend the money on gambling, but instead spent thousands of dollars on items to make himself “stronger” and gain an advantage at various games.
Kozak allegedly denied intentionally using the church’s credit card for in-app purchases, claiming that the cards were already linked to his accounts and phone to pay church-authorized bills. But he told investigators that it was possible he accidentally used church funds to buy power-ups in the game, saying he was not a “details guy” and that he was sorry for taking it “to that point.” let come.”
The priest was removed from his position at the church in November 2022 after an internal investigation into Kozak’s expenses revealed his gambling addiction and use of church funds.
After he was deposed, he sent an $8,000 check marked “Church Reimbursements” to the church’s new leader. In a note accompanying the payment, Kozak reportedly apologized to the new priest for his “mistake” and planned to pay back all the money owed to the church.
.
