Church worker sentenced for stealing money | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- A man who admitted to stealing money from his Wyoming Catholic church and a youth ministry will spend at least eight years in prison.

A judge Thursday sentenced James Kulfan, 55, to 8-20 years on a charge of embezzlement of $100,000 or more.  Kulfan was also sentenced to 5-10 years in prison for a separate charge of embezzling between $1,000 and $20,000.

Kulfan stole $135,000 from St. John Vianney Church in Wyoming -- where he was the church's business manager -- and almost $20,000 from Dymo Ministries in Grandville.  He pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges in October.

The judge ordered Kulfan to pay back the money taken from the church and the youth ministry.

According to the Grand Rapids Press, Kulfan spent the stolen money at strip clubs and on gambling.