Priest charged with embezzling

An area priest who resigned following investigation into inappropriate use of church funds has been charged with embezzling more than $100,000.
Richard Fritz is due back in court later this month, after an arraignment in April in St. Joseph County District Court.
Michigan State Police investigated the case and submitted their findings to the Branch County prosecutor in February, requesting that embezzlement charges be filed. The case was later assigned to St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough.
Fritz was a priest in the Diocese of Kalamazoo for 35 years until resigning last year. Investigation into his use of church funds from St. Barbara Church in Colon and St. Mary’s in Bronson covered a period from 2010 through 2016.
A preliminary exam has been scheduled to take place Tuesday.