By Staff
New Castle News
NEW CASTLE —
A pretrial conference for August and Kimberly Santillo has been postponed to next week.
The new hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 6 before Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge John W. Hodge in Courtroom 4.
August Santillo, 52, and Kimberly Santillo, 49, of 404 W. Clayton St., are charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft by disposition and criminal conspiracy. Both are free on bond.
The couple was charged last year with amassing in excess of $335,000 from St. Vitus Church. Court documents allege the two used the funds to live a lavish lifestyle. Officials claim the Mahoningtown couple obtained cash and Giant Eagle gift cards from the church and its school and used the funds to purchase jewelry, diamonds and luxury cars.
In 2008, church officials learned of discrepancies in parish finances.
Kimberly Santillo was a secretary at St. Vitus Church. Court documents state her husband occasionally assisted with her duties, which included making bank deposits. He also coordinated the gift card program, which was primarily a fundraiser for the church’s school.
Officials claim August Santillo purchased a large amount of gift cards and gained $3,835 in Giant Eagle fuelperks.
Police said a source at Giant Eagle contacted the church when the large number of cards drew his attention.
