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Clerk Who Stole More Than $1M from Archdiocese Indicted, DA Says

By DNAinfo Staff on March 1, 2012 7:52pm

St. Patrick's Cathedral.
St. Patrick's Cathedral.
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DNAinfo/Mathew Katz

MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A frail-looking former clerk for the Archdiocese of New York accused of stealing more than $1 million from the church turned down a plea offer from prosecutors and is hoping to pay restitution in exchange for less time behind bars.

Prosecutors offered Anita Collins a recommendation of six to 15 years in prison if she were to plead guilty to grand larceny, falsifying records and other charges related to her lucrative alleged scam, the profits of which she allegedly used to buy high-end clothing and an extensive collection of collectible dolls.

Her attorney, Howard Simmons, said that's way too much time in prison for the 67-year-old woman who is in poor health and who is getting weaker by the day. She appeared in court, wilting in her seat on Thursday.

Instead of accepting the offer, she pleaded not guilty and is hoping her family will come through with the cash that could get her out of prison sooner.

"She's suffering greatly at Rikers," Simmons said. "In the last month she's lost more than 15 pounds while incarcerated."

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Lewis Bart Stone told her he would give her less time if she could pay back the stolen funds in full.

"If all of it is paid back I could consider a lesser upstate situation," the judge said, adding that she'd still have to do the minimum amount of time required by law, which is 4 1/2 to nine years.

"You have very little leverage with me," he added.

Her family has already raised about $100,000 for her to give back to the church, her lawyer said.

Collins, who was convicted of stealing from two previous employers, used phony checks to route church funds to her son's bank account and then took the money, prosecutors said. She allegedly stole from the church throughout her eight year employment there, beginning in 2003.

Collins was being held on $750,000 bail and is due back in court on April 19.