Richard Storey, the former pastor of Curé of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, pleaded guilty Tuesday, Oct. 27, to a felony theft charge in Johnson County District Court.

Storey was accused of spending more than $159,000 in unauthorized charges on the parish credit card from 2021 to 2025, according to Fox 4. Court documents alleged the spending included more than $77,000 on cruise vacations, over $20,000 for a casino cash withdrawal, and purchases of eyewear and weight-loss medication, KMBC reported.

News outlets disagreed on the exact tier of the amended charge. Fox 4 reported Storey pleaded guilty to one count of theft totaling $100,000 to $250,000.

KSHB, KCTV5 and KMBC each reported the amended charge as theft of $25,000 to $100,000. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said in a statement that Storey pleaded guilty to "theft in excess of $100,000, severity level 7, a non-person, non-drug felony."

As part of the plea agreement, Storey paid $159,362.92 in restitution to Curé of Ars Parish, the archdiocese said.

Storey had originally pleaded not guilty to felony theft with a value over $100,000 in June, according to KMBC. He surrendered to police in May and was released on a $25,000 bond, the Johnson County Post reported. He appeared in court Oct. 22 over alleged violations on the conditions of his release.

Archbishop Shawn McKnight expressed "deep sadness" at the guilty plea and asked the faithful to keep those affected in their prayers, according to the archdiocese's statement.

The archdiocese said it will now open a preliminary canonical investigation into all allegations involving Storey, including the financial matter and a separate allegation involving an adult victim. Prairie Village Police notified the archdiocese of that separate criminal investigation in September 2025, according to Fox 4. That investigation remains ongoing.

The archdiocese also said it hired an independent outside firm in July to review its financial processes.

Storey led Curé of Ars, at 9401 Mission Road, from 2015 until his resignation in September 2025. Father John Riley was appointed temporary administrator following Storey’s resignation and was subsequently named pastor.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Robert Short and Jill Icenhower, with assistance from the Leawood and Prairie Village police departments, according to Fox 4. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2027, at 9 a.m. in Johnson County Court.