Nuns Stole From Redondo Beach Catholic School: Investigation

REDONDO BEACH, CA – Two longtime nuns stole money from the Redondo Beach Catholic school where they worked, according to an internal investigation by the St. James School. For years, the duo misappropriated a "substantial" amount of school funds for their personal use, according to a letter sent to school families Wednesday obtained by Patch.

The nuns' order, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is cooperating with the parish and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to determine exactly how much was taken by the school’s former principal, Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, and former teacher Sister Lana Chang, Msgr. Michael Meyers, the pastor at St. James Catholic Church, said in the letter.

Financial reviews after a change in leadership is what exposed the matter, the letter said. No other staff members were implicated or responsible.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet has agreed to fully reimburse the school and is imposing “appropriate” penalties and sanctions against each of the nuns in accordance with the order’s policies. The Archdiocese declined to pursue criminal charges against the nuns, and decided to handle the matter internally, Meyers said in the letter.

“I want to assure you that the investigation has disclosed that, notwithstanding this misappropriation, no student or program at St. James has suffered any loss of educational resources, opportunities, or innovations,” he wrote. “In sum, the education of your children has not and will not be affected by these events.”

Both nuns have expressed "deep remorse" for their actions and ask for forgiveness and prayers, Meyers said.

“They and their Order pray that you have not lost trust or faith in the educators and administrators of the school,” he wrote.

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