Nun charged with stealing $300,000

[Janice]

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) -- A 71-year-old nun who co-wrote a popular marriage-preparation program was arrested on charges of improperly spending more than $300,000 on casinos, gifts and air travel.

Sister Barbara Markey, who was fired in January as director of the Omaha Archdiocese's family life office, turned herself in Wednesday and was released on her own recognizance.

According to the arrest warrant, an audit found that Markey spent $307,545 for her own use or without documentation. Some of the money was spent on cash advances, casinos, gifts and airfare, the audit said.

Defense attorney John Stevens Berry Sr. said the case stems from a disagreement about ownership and funding priorities related to the FOCCUS marriage preparation program, which Markey helped develop. The program is widely used in the Roman Catholic Church.

Markey was charged with theft by deception, a felony punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.