Montco Catholic School Principal Charged With $25K theft

NORRISTOWN — A Catholic high school principal is charged with using a school credit to pay for more than $25,000 of personal expenses including rent payments on his East Norriton home, a trip to Washington, D.C., and dining out, officials said today.

John C. McGrath, 56, of the first block of Brownstone Drive, is principal of Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School, Maple Glen neighborhood of Upper Dublin Township.

McGrath is accused of using a school-issued credit card, Venmo and an Amazon account for fraudulent transactions amounting to $25,436.54, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele.

McGrath remains free on $50,000 bail after being arraigned before District Judge Patricia A. Zaffarano on numerous counts of theft, receiving stolen property and related charges.

The investigation was conducted by Upper Dublin Township police.

The high school is supported by three parishes St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen; Saint Anthony of Padua, Ambler; and St. Catherine of Siena, Horsham.

The theft occurred from March 5, 2020 to Oct. 1, 2021, according to police.

McGrath is accused of using school accounts for these personal transactions:

• Venmo for 11 transactions totaling $12,777.15, including five rent payments.

• School credit card for 76 transactions amounting to $7,905.29, for meals, taverns, Door Dash, Uber, hotel stays and Amazon for clothing and housewares.
• Vacation to Washington, D.C. totaling $3,554.10. McGrath claimed he was attending a conference about COVID-19.

In addition, McGrath is accused of collecting $1,200 via his personal Venmo account from school families to purchase “OLM Strong” T-shirts, and not transferring the money to the school’s account.

Assistant District Attorney Tanner C. Beck, captain of the DA’s Economic and Major Crimes Unit, is assigned to prosecute the case.