Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jan 2013
Source: Stamford Advocate, The (CT)
Copyright: 2013 Southern Connecticut Newspaper, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1522
Author: Daniel Tepfer

CHURCH MIGHT WITHOLD METH PRIEST'S PAYCHECK

BRIDGEPORT -- Diocese officials might stop paying "Msgr. Meth" his
church stipend following accusations he was a cross-dressing drug
dealer who sold upwards of $9,000 of crystal methamphetamine a week.

"It wasn't anything he could get rich off of, we were providing just
enough to maintain basic sustenance," said Roman Catholic Diocese
Spokesman Brian Wallace during discussions Friday about whether to
pull Monsignor Kevin Wallin's pay.

But after reading in the Connecticut Post that Wallin, 61, is accused
by federal authorities of making so much money from selling the drug
that he purchased an adult sex shop in North Haven named The Land of
Oz to launder the money, Wallace said they may stop the payments.

Wallace repeated Friday that he was aware only that parishioners had
complained of Wallin acting erratically in the spring of 2011. He said
the complaints came from a number of parishioners and not all at one
time. He said there was a concern about Wallin's health.

Wallin resigned from his post July 2011 as pastor of St. Augustine's
Cathedral Parish in Bridgeport, and was granted a sabbatical.

He had served at St. Peter Church in Danbury from 1996 to
2002.

Diocese officials later suspended him after they said Wallin failed to
go for treatment.

Sources with knowledge of the case told the Connecticut Post that
while pastor, Wallin was observed dressing as a woman and was visited
in his residence by men dressed as women who performed sex acts with
him in the Cathedral's rectory. The sources said an assortment of sex
toys was found in Wallin's residence.

"We've seen this happen over and over and over," said Barbara Dorris,
spokeswoman for SNAP, the survivors network for those abused by
priests. "A priest steps down for vague reasons. Later, it emerges
that the resignation stemmed from sexual misdeeds.

"Many priests must get ill. They must struggle with addictions. They
must have family issues, like ailing parents. All of these are, of
course, perfectly legitimate reasons to leave one's job. Sadly, it
must be hard for priests to do this now, knowing that bishops' long
pattern of deception means many will question whether the reasons
given are true or false."

In the early 1990s, Wallin was secretary to then-Bishop Edward Egan.
During that time his name often appeared on church documents detailing
sex abuse allegations against other priests in the diocese. Sources
said Wallin often went on trips with Egan including Broadway musicals
which Wallin loved.

Wallin was arrested Jan. 3 and charged with distributing
methamphetamine from his Waterbury apartment after federal authorities
said he made numerous sales of crystal meth to an undercover officer
and a police informant last September and November.

Federal authorities also arrested Wallin's alleged suppliers,
43-year-old Chad McCluskey and his girlfriend, 47-year-old Kristen
Laschober, along with Wallin's alleged partner in drug dealing,
Kenneth "Lyme" Devries and another Connecticut, resident, Michael
Nelson, who has a lengthy criminal record in the state including a
drug conviction.

Their Facebook profiles state that McClatchey is from Evaston, Ill.,
and works in "global distribution" for Pure Chip, an Orange County
company that distributes electronic equipment. McCluskey and Laschober
had been dating since 2008. She is a fashion stylist, offering
closet-organization services.

On Facebook they appear as a seemingly average American couple,
posting vacation photos, and remodeling a home in San Clemente. There
is nothing in evidence to support federal allegation that they were
supplying large amounts of crystal meth to Wallin. Both were arrested
Jan. 10 in Las Vegas in the case.

Wallin would order the drug from the couple and then deposit the
payments in an account they had at a Connecticut bank, the criminal
complaint states. In a text, intercepted by federal authorities, on
Dec. 12 Wallin texted McCluskey that he had just deposited $3,800 in
the bank account.

"Check it. And let me know how you are. I will be home soon but have a
long line coming by," the text read. Authorities said Wallin was
refering to a large number of customers coming to his home.

Two days later in a telephone call recorded by the feds, they
discussed holiday vacation plans. McCluskey and Laschober were going
to Chicago while Wallin said he was going to London. But before they
left, Wallin asked them to send him another shipment of crystal meth.

Wallace did not have the specific amount of stipend Wallin is paid by
the church. 
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