Former Pastor pleads guilty to Grand Larceny

Father William Damroth pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny charges on Dec. 17, and will pay $300,000 in restitution to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Newburgh. Damroth is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on March 18, 2025.

The case stemmed from an investigation that began in the summer of 2022 when the Archdiocese of New York conducted an audit and discovered financial discrepancies at the parish. Damroth, who served as pastor of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, which included Saint Francis and Sacred Heart churches in Newburgh, was transferred to Immaculate Conception Parish in Port Jervis that same summer.

Following news of the investigation, parishioners were informed by letters sent out by the archdiocese. Damroth stepped away from his duties during the investigation, which led to grand larceny charges in December 2023.

Damroth’s case is being handled in Orange County Court, with his next appearance scheduled before Judge Craig Brown. His defense attorney, Joseph Gulino confirmed the plea and explained that prosecutors had recommended five years of probation. However, Judge Brown imposed a split sentence: six months in Orange County Jail, followed by five years of probation.





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