Seminary’s Former Finance Director Pleads Not Guilty to Embezzling Over $200,000, Mercedes Benz

A former finance director of St. Patrick’s Seminary pleaded not guilty Monday to four felony counts, including $166,000 in personal purchases on the school credit card and stealing a Mercedes Benz donated to the Seminary.

Jennifer Margret Morris, 57, of Hayward served as the Director of Finance in 2004 with her then secretary, defendant Evelyn D. Vallacqua, 44. As Director, she was issued a credit card for seminary purposes.

However, instead of using the Seminary’s credit card, she used her personal credit card and then reimbursed herself from Seminary funds so she could collect airline miles on her credit card over the course of six years, according to the District Attorney’s office.

After an audit, St. Patrick’s learned that Morris had made over $166,000 in unauthorized personal purchases for which she reimbursed herself plus she overpaid herself at least $36,000, according to the District Attorney.

Morris also allegedly stole a 1982 Mercedes Benz that had been donated to the Seminary by registering the car in her name, and also charged registration and maintenance costs to the seminary. 

According to the district attorney, Morris made unauthorized severance payments to her then secretary, Vallacqua, who allegedly helped with the issuance of many improper reimbursement checks.

Morris appeared again in court Wednesday for a review and will have a preliminary hearing on Friday, April 12.

Morris posted a $200,000 bail bond and is now out of custody. Vallacqua was charged with three felony counts and posted a $10,00 bail.

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