OLATHE, Kan. – The Reverend of the Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner has been charged with theft and computer crimes.
Johnson County, Kansas prosecutors charged Rev. Joseph Cramer with stealing at least $25,000 from the parish between Nov. 16, 2015, and May 2016. Cramer also faces two counts of computer crimes.
Cramer was booked into the Johnson County Jail Thursday and posted a $5,000 bond shortly thereafter.
One of his bond conditions is that Cramer is not allowed inside of a casino.
In September 2017, the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas placed Cramer on administrative leave after discovering “financial irregularities” at the parish.
As part of their investigation, the Archdiocese notified the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office of the case.
Cramer is scheduled to appear in court on May 17.
In a statement to 41 Action News Wednesday afternoon, officials asked for prayers for Cramer and the parishioners of the parish.
"This has been a very painful process for all involved," Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann said in the release.
