A former Warwick priest accused of stealing some $40,000 from Saints Rose and Clement Parish is free on $5,000 personal recognizance following his arrest Tuesday, the Rhode Island State Police said.
Steven Matthew Glover, 42, now of Coventry, was arrested by the state police financial crimes unit and charged with one count of obtaining money under false pretenses, one count of larceny over $1,500, and one count of fraudulent use of a credit card, all felonies, according to a news release from Detective Maj. Timothy Sanzi.
As a result of their investigation, the state police allege that Glover purchased several thousand dollars worth of items, including furniture, a television, a video game console and laptop computers with his personal credit card, then reimbursed himself using parish funds, according to the state police.
The police also allege that Glover used the church credit card to buy furniture for his new home in Coventry. Detectives also say they uncovered a scheme in which Glover bought furniture from a local store, reimbursed himself for the purchase with church funds, then canceled the furniture delivery, which reversed the charge on his personal credit card.
The police executed a search warrant at Glover's home on Tuesday and removed several items that they allege belong to the parish, including electronics and furniture.
Glover was processed at state police headquarters, arraigned by Justice of the Peace John McCaffrey, and released on $5,000 personal recognizance, according to the state police.
Glover had been a priest from 2004 to 2019, according to the state police. His last assignment before leaving the priesthood was as pastor at Saints Rose and Clement Parish. He left the priesthood in 2019 for personal reasons not related to the charges, according to the police. He'd started at the parish in July 2015.
The state police began investigating after the director of compliance for the Diocese of Providence contacted them on Nov. 14, 2019, alleging that Glover had committed fraud before leaving the priesthood.
The diocese, in a statement Wednesday morning, said, "The Diocese of Providence and SS. Rose and Clement Parish are saddened by the charges against Matthew Glover which are very serious and deeply disturbing.
"The diocese and the parish will continue to cooperate with the Rhode Island State Police as this matter goes forward," the diocese said. "We pray for God's grace and guidance for all who are affected by this troubling news, particularly the faithful parishioners of SS. Rose and Clement Parish."
The larceny and obtaining money under false pretenses charges carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison. The credit-card fraud carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.
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