PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A man is facing several charges after officials say he stole more than $1 million from a Bala Cynwyd church.
Last December, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau launched an investigation into 60-year-old Sean Sweeney, of South Carolina, after the Archdiocese of Philadelphia reported possible theft and embezzlement of $1.1 million at Saint Matthias Church.
Sweeney served as the church’s business manager from 2017 until he was fired in 2024.
The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said Sweeney was in charge of providing the church’s payroll records processing company, PrimePay, with records for who should be paid and how much.
PrimePay would then use direct deposit to put money in bank accounts owned by Sweeney. From 2018 to 2024, approximately $1,134,906.35 was deposited into the accounts.
Investigators said Sweeney used the money for personal expenses, like educational tuition, vehicle-related payments and vacation costs.
Sweeney turned himself in on Thursday. He is charged with felony theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, unlawful use of a communications facility, as well as misdemeanor tampering with records and securing execution of documents by deception.
Bail was set at $100,000 unsecured. He also had to surrender his passport and is not allowed to have contact with employees associated with the case or go anywhere near Saint Matthias Church.