Despite his failure to appear for a court appearance on May 27, the Rev. Don Armstrong is not a fugitive from justice. A bench warrant, issued shortly after his failure to appear, was quashed, according to Fr. Armstrong. The priest said his absence was because of a misunderstanding.
“Apparently, there was some confusion and miscommunication about my appearance date, which resulted in a warrant being issued,” he told The Living Church. “My attorney and I went down and spoke with the judge, who immediately straightened everything out and quashed the warrant.”
Fr. Armstrong served as rector of Grace and St. Stephen’s Church, Colorado Springs, from 1987 until 2006, when he was deposed following a diocesan investigation of parish finances. He is now rector of St. George’s Anglican Church, which is comprised of a majority of members from the Episcopal congregation.
The Diocese of Colorado initiated an investigation of parish finances and turned over the results to the Colorado Springs district attorney, who executed a search warrant of the church and rectory in November. Fr. Armstrong was indicted on 20 felony theft counts and voluntarily surrendered to police on May 21. He was freed after posting $20,000 bound later that day. Fr. Armstrong denies all charges and said he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name “of unbridled false accusations” in a court of law.
http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/5/29/fr-armstrong-misunderstanding-led-to-missed-court-date
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