The Associated Press State & Local Wire
March 19, 2004, Friday, BC cycle

Church’s former priest admits tax fraud

ALBANY, N.Y.

The former priest of an upstate church has pleaded guilty to tax
fraud, admitting he failed to report to the Internal Revenue Service
the church funds that he deposited in a private account for his own
use.

Megerdich Megerdichian, 47, of Cranston, R.I., faces up to three
years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and restitution to the IRS of
the $9,442 tax underpayment, according to U.S. Attorney Glenn
Suddaby. Sentencing is scheduled July 14 in federal court

Megerdichian was the priest at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church
in Troy for about 16 years until his removal in 1998, according to
Suddaby. Two years later, he repaid the church funds, which had come
from various sources including congregation members.