The realm of church scandals has seen its fair share of controversies, but a unique twist arises with the involvement of Candy Crush in the recent case of Reverend Lawrence Kozak. Arrested in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on April 25, Kozak faces charges of embezzling over $40,000 from his former parish, St. Thomas More Church. The unexpected vice of mobile gaming, particularly Candy Crush and Mario Kart, allegedly fueled Kozak’s financial misdeeds.
In November 2022, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia took action, removing Kozak from his parish after discovering significant Apple transactions on the church’s credit card. These transactions, spanning from September 2019 to July 2022, raised suspicions. Moreover, Kozak purportedly dipped into church funds to purchase gifts for his goddaughter.
During a 2022 investigation, Kozak reportedly confessed to using the funds to enhance his gaming experience, citing addiction as the root cause. However, he denies deliberate misuse of church funds, attributing the charges to his cell phone’s link to the church’s credit cards.
Financial records indicate Kozak’s partial restitution efforts, with $10,000 repaid from personal funds to the parish credit card account. Additionally, Kozak mailed an $8,000 check to his former parish upon his removal, accompanied by a note expressing remorse and outlining his attempts to reimburse the church.
Presently out on bail, Kozak’s attorney plans to engage with prosecutors regarding the case in the days ahead, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The peculiar circumstances surrounding Kozak’s alleged embezzlement have sparked intrigue and concern within the community, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in religious institutions.
