RI fundraiser accused of duping nuns who run Catholic school is indicted in Mass.

Fundraiser accused of duping Mass. nuns indicted

WORCESTER, Mass. — A professional fundraiser from Rhode Island has been indicted on charges that he stole more than $360,000 from a private school in Massachusetts run by an order of Roman Catholic nuns.

A Worcester (WUS’-tur) County grand jury indicted 37-year-old Michael Hlady on Wednesday on charges of fraud, identity theft and larceny. He is accused of taking money from the Venerini Academy in Worcester.

Authorities say the Smithfield, R.I., man told school officials that he had lined up a multimillion-dollar donation for them and took the money as payment for raising the money.

His lawyer has said he did his best to raise money but was unsuccessful.

Hlady has been held on $250,000 bail since pleading not guilty in April to a larceny charge.