Volunteer Pleads Guilty for Stealing More Than $10k from Church in City's Black Rock Neighborhood

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Francis R. Winiarski, 67, of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class "D" felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

On or about between August 1, 2023, and March 3, 2024, the defendant stole a sum of money from Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Amherst Street in the City of Buffalo while volunteering at the parish. The defendant pocketed cash, given by parishioners during the offering, by tampering with the collection bags. As a condition of the plea, the defendant signed a Confession of Judgment to pay $10,699 in restitution to the victim.

Winiarskifaces a maximum sentence of up to 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.

Acting DA Keane commends ECDA Confidential Criminal Investigators Natalie Perez and Robert Bebak for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.