Father William Damroth, former pastor of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta in the City of Newburgh, has been charged with grand larceny in the second degree. Damroth, 64, pled not guilty and has since been released on his own recognizance.

The former pastor came under investigation in the summer of 2022 after an audit conducted by the Archdiocese of New York discovered discrepancies with the finances of the parish. Prior to the audit findings, Damroth had been reassigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Port Jervis.

A letter, written and signed by The Most Reverend Edmund J. Whalen, Vicar for Clergy, was distributed to the parishioners of the parish the coming weekend explaining the situation on Damroth.

“Dear Parishioners of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, As you may recall, last July I wrote to notify you that a regular audit of your parish revealed some possible financial irregularities on the part of your former pastor, Father William Damroth. These irregularities were being investigated by the District Attorney, to whom the archdiocese turned over the case immediately upon learning of it, and with whom we have continued to cooperate. Father Damroth voluntarily took a leave of absence as pastor from his new parish while the investigation was underway,” wrote Whalen. “This week, as a result of that investigation, Father Damroth was charged with grand larceny in the second degree. He has pled not guilty, and retains the presumption of innocence. He has been released on his own recognizance. While we are sorry to once again be the bearers of somber news, we wanted to share it with you directly. We will continue to do our best to keep you informed. Please keep all those who have been affected by this sad situation in your prayers, and know that you will be remembered in mine.”

The signed letter was shared on Friday, December 15 via email by Joseph Zwilling, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of New York. The diocese also declined to comment any further on the case and other inquiries involving funds. Senior Assistant District Attorney Ryan Greenbaum of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office provided a statement via email: “At this time we can confirm the arrest but won’t have any further comment as the matter has not yet been presented to a grand jury.”

According to New York State Penal Law, grand larceny in the second degree is classified as a class C felony. The New York State Unified Court System lists a class C felony can lead to 15 years of jail time, and felonies are the most serious types of crimes.

An individual is guilty of grand larceny in the second degree when that person steals property and it exceeds $50,000.

The former pastor served the community of Newburgh for seven years and was ordained as a priest in May 1993. In the Newburgh area, Damroth was a police chaplain and oversaw the surrounding parishes of St. Francis of Assisi and Sacred Heart Newburgh before they merged into one larger parish. Damroth also served in Pine Bush, Yonkers, Stony Point, Mount Kisco and Staten Island.