Father Joe LeClair Dies After Church Fraud Conviction

Father Joe LeClair, a former Ottawa priest known for his charismatic preaching and community leadership, died Thursday night, according to the Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. LeClair had pleaded guilty in 2014 to defrauding his church of $130,000, following an investigation into financial irregularities at Blessed Sacrament Church in Ottawa's Glebe neighborhood. Father Dan van Delst of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall confirmed LeClair's death to CBC News.

The former priest had attracted a substantial congregation over more than a decade at Blessed Sacrament Church before the financial misconduct came to light. According to fraud investigators, LeClair took tens of thousands of dollars from the church through checks issued between 2006 and 2011. The financial irregularities prompted an archdiocesan investigation after media reports brought the matter to public attention.

LeClair pleaded guilty to the fraud charges in 2014. The court sentenced him to one year in prison followed by one year of probation, according to the case details reported by CBC News.

He was released from prison early for good behavior. LeClair had been diagnosed as a pathological gambler, a detail reported in connection with the case. Despite the criminal proceedings and his departure from the church, LeClair retained support among some parishioners. His reputation as an engaging speaker and community leader had helped him build a strong following during his years at Blessed Sacrament Church.

Church attendance declined after LeClair left amid his legal troubles, although some members of the congregation continued to stand by him. His case had brought scrutiny to the church's finances and marked a major disruption for the Ottawa parish.