Former Archdiocesan Schools Employee Sentenced for Embezzlement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kenneth Gaughan, a former assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, was sentenced Sept. 2 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 78 months in prison on charges related to embezzling $427,000 from the Archdiocese and fraudulently obtaining more than $2.1 million in coronavirus relief funds from the federal government.

The sentence included 78 months in prison on each of three counts to which he pleaded guilty, which will run concurrently. He will be on probation for three years upon his release. Gaughan also was ordered to pay restitution. A future hearing will establish the amount.

The Archdiocese released this statement:

Today, Mr. Kenneth Gaughan, a former employee of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, received his punishment from the court for the crimes he committed as part of his fraudulent scheme to embezzle funds from the archdiocese’s Catholic Schools Office over the course of several years. We are grateful for the efforts of the FBI and the United States Attorney’s offices in the District of Columbia and Maryland in investigating and prosecuting these crimes. 

 We pray that Mr. Gaughan’s acceptance of responsibility will be a step toward healing for all those impacted by his crimes, and we pray for Mr. Gaughan, as well.   

 Responsible stewardship of the financial gifts generously entrusted to the Church is a responsibility that the archdiocese takes very seriously. 

 Anyone who may suspect financial or other misconduct involving any archdiocesan employee, office, or other setting is encouraged to make a report to the archdiocese.