Ex-manager of Catholic church pleads guilty to misdemeanor

TROY (AP) — The former manager of a Catholic parish in Troy says she kept her divorced husband on the church's health insurance at a cost of $26,000.

Janice Verschuren recently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in federal court.

The plea deal ends a case that began with more serious charges of fraud and conspiracy involving her boss, the Rev. Ed Belczak, at St. Thomas More Church in Troy.

Judge Arthur Tarnow will have flexibility when he sentences Verschuren on Oct. 26. She could avoid a prison term.

Belczak recently pleaded guilty to fraud in a scheme to conceal the theft of more than $500,000. He used a portion of the money to buy a Florida condominium from Verschuren.

Belczak will get his sentence on Dec. 1.