A Canadian priest has been charged with fraud after more than $500,000 (£290,000) intended for the resettlement of Syrian refugees was stolen and allegedly gambled away, reports AFP news agency.
Amer Saka, 51, a clergyman of the Chaldean Catholic church – based in Baghdad – had allegedly collected the funds to support refugees arriving from the war-torn nation, according to local police.
“This investigation spanned throughout the province of Ontario, the United States and other countries where refugees were attempting to come to Canada,” police in London, Ontario said in a statement.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, head of the Chaldean Catholic church in Canada, told The London Free Press that Saka had called him to say he had gambled and lost all of the money.
The priest had been involved in a sponsorship program for refugees for several years. He was suspended by the diocese of Hamilton, Ontario, after police opened an investigation in February and was placed in an institute for priests suffering addiction and mental health issues.
Saka was arrested on Wednesday and granted bail after being charged with fraud and a related possession charge. The newspaper said a court ordered Saka not to enter any casino.
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