Former Catholic Archdiocese Chancellor Facing Additional Theft Count

  

    A former chancellor for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha already charged with two theft-related felony counts has been charged with a new count of theft.

     Authorities say the Rev Michael Gutgsell stole more than $100,000 from a church in Sarpy County and faces a preliminary hearing on the new charge on Feb. 8. 

     Gutgsell was first arrested in October and charged with attempted theft and abuse of a vulnerable adult. 

     The first charge stemmed from his allegedly stealing $106,000 from his former parish, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Springfield, while the other was for stealing $180,000 from the bank accounts of a fellow priest. 

      Police say Gutgsell stole from retired priest Theodore Richling of Omaha, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s at the time.