Ex-archdiocese Accountant Pleads Guilty In Theft

ST. PAUL, (AP) - A former accounting director accused of embezzling $670,000 from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has pleaded guilty to theft charges.

Fifty-one-year-old Scott Joseph Domeier of Cottage Grove pleaded guilty Wednesday in Ramsey County court to three felony counts of theft-by-swindle.

Domeier also pleaded guilty to two counts of filing fraudulent tax returns. The tax charges came after investigators found that he had failed to pay state income taxes on the embezzled funds. 

According to the charges, Domeier diverted archdiocese checks to pay personal credit-card bills, private-school tuition for his children and other personal expense.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 16. According to the plea agreement, Domeier faces more than three years in prison. 

Domeier's attorney declined comment.