By Gretchen Keiser, Staff Writer

ATLANTA—The archdiocese has filed a civil lawsuit against an Alpharetta couple, alleging that money in excess of $50,000 was misappropriated from Holy Redeemer School in Alpharetta.

The suit filed in Fulton County State Court Sept. 22 alleges that Larry Christopher, a former school employee, misappropriated the funds “intentionally and deliberately.” He resigned three weeks ago after Mary Reiling, school principal, brought financial irregularities at Holy Redeemer School to the attention of archdiocesan officials.

Matt Coles, general counsel for the archdiocese, and Kathi Stearns, vice chancellor, met with Christopher Sept. 5 at the request of Archbishop John F. Donoghue. Following the meeting at which, according to a letter from the archbishop, Christopher acknowledged depositing some checks for Holy Redeemer School into a family account, Christopher resigned. The account is in the name of his wife, Jan.

The archbishop has written regarding the investigation to parents at Holy Redeemer School and to members of St. Brigid Church, Alpharetta, where Jan Christopher formerly served as director of religious education.

Jan Christopher is also named in the suit, the attorney said, but the allegation against her is based upon information and belief.

“The primary existing evidence really compelled us to file the lawsuit against Mr. Christopher,” Coles said.

“As to Jan Christopher, while it appears she had knowledge of what was going on, we really do not have the same degree of evidence.”

Mrs. Christopher resigned from her position Sept. 15.

The misappropriated funds do not include tuition money, Coles said, but other sources “across the board,” including lunchroom money and book money. The full amount is still being determined through audits, but is in excess of $50,000, he said. Christopher was school business manager in 1999-2000. He had a teaching position this school year.

“The civil suit is designed to ensure that the school and the church are repaid the money,” Coles said.

Coles said Christopher has cooperated with the archdiocese in giving access to bank records so an accurate accounting can be done. He has given assurances that he will repay the funds, Coles said, but as of Sept. 26 no funds have been recovered.

Reached for comment, Christopher said, “I know we are both named here. My wife had no knowledge of this whatever and she had nothing to do with this.”

He added that he is going “to make it right.”