Presiding Judge Mann Valentine announced that a sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 10, 2004 at 10 a.m. in the Tilford Room of Christ Church Cathedral. The court’s recommendation will be given to Bishop Stacy Sauls. It is his obligation to impose the discipline, which could be a reprimand, suspension or deposition.

The charges stemmed from a presentment filed against Platt, former canon to the ordinary, administrator for the diocese, and chaplain at St. Augustine’s Chapel at the University of Kentucky, after discrepancies in records for the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund, over which Platt was a signatory, were discovered as the books were reviewed following a change in administrative officer for the diocese. Accounts at St. Augustine’s Chapel, over which Platt was signatory , were subsequently reviewed with numerous transactions questioned for authorization and documentation.

 Platt served under three bishops of the Diocese of Lexington. During the tenure of the late Bishop Addison Hosea, he was deacon-in-charge and vicar of the yoked missions of St. James and St. David’s in eastern Kentucky. Under Bishop Don A. Wimberly, he served as canon to the ordinary, archdeacon and chaplain. Under Bishop Stacy Sauls, he was named interim administrator and then administrator, while continuing his work as chaplain.

Defense testimony focused on Platt’s “good faith understanding” that he was fully authorized to write the checks in question, on the informal processes of St. Augustine’s Chapel and its “blanket authorizations,” and on Platt’s self-described poor record keeping and lack of background and training for the positions which gave him signatory authority. Platt also states that he has “no memory” of a period between late November and early December 2002, but would not consent to full release of medical records for inclusion in the proceedings.

According to witnesses for the prosecution, diocesan officials made a thorough investigation into the apparent misappropriations in an investigation that took nearly a month to complete, in search of any possible explanation other than Platt’s culpability. Opportunities for voluntary submission to discipline were offered and ultimately rejected. After its own investigation, the insurance company paid the claim in the amount of $42,884.25 , following restitution of $5,200 paid by Platt. Should any trial evidence lead to a reevaluation of questionable transactions, the diocese will reimburse the insurance company for any amount later learned to have been justified.

In a letter to the clergy, Executive Council and Standing Committee of the diocese, Sauls wrote: “I think that it is safe to say that none of us, and certainly not I, are happy about this situation. For whatever reasons, something went very, very wrong with a priest of the church with much potential for the service of God’s people. I am very sad about that. I very much regret that this action had to be taken. As Bishop, however, I am absolutely committed to handling the affairs of the church in an open and forthright manner where they can be seen and held accountable to the people of God. I have learned that that can be a difficult, painful and costly thing to do. Still, I am convinced that nothing less is acceptable.”

Sauls asked for continued prayers for Platt, for the diocese and for himself as bishop.