A 68-year-old Buffalo man was sentenced Monday by an Erie County Court judge for stealing more than $10,000 in contributions from a church in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood.
Francis R. Winiarski was sentenced to 364 days in jail. In October, Winiarski pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree grand larceny, the most serious allegation that could be sustained.
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Winiarski stole money from the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Amherst Street between August 1, 2023, and March 3, 2024. He was volunteering currently and was taking cash during the offering by messing with the collection bags.
As part of his plea agreement, Winiarski signed a Confession of Judgment promising to pay the victim $10,699 in compensation. However, as of his sentence date, he had not returned any of the stolen funds, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
Winiarski was also condemned in another case before this one.
A separate criminal prosecution sentenced Winiarski on February 10, 2025. In that case, he admitted to one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office stated that the incident was yet another financial crime against the church.
Between November 2, 2024, and November 24, 2024, Winiarski unlawfully gained roughly $1,942.35 by making unauthorized transactions on a friend’s credit card.
The sentences will be served concurrently.
