Raymond Smyth, a former top official of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul, a charity affiliate of the Buffalo Diocese, pleaded guilty this afternoon to stealing $324,388 of its funds before he resigned from the organization last September. Erie County Judge Sheila A. DiTullio did not give Smyth, 44, a sentencing commitment but allowed him to remain free without bail with the agreement of prosecutors pending his June 14 sentencing.
Smyth, who was chief financial officer of the Main Street charity for 19 years prior to his resignation, pleaded guilty to a single count of second-degree grand larceny and signed a confession of judgment for the full amount of his embezzlement.
Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III and John C. Doscher, chief of the DA's Special Investigations Bureau, said Smyth admitted illegally using society credit cards from July 1, 2002 through last Aug. 31.
The prosecutors said Smyth, of Delaware Avenue, pleaded guilty before indictment to the highest charge a grand jury could have lodged against him for the thefts. Smyth, who faces a possible prison term of up to 15 years, declined comment following his plea proceeding.
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