Former Newburgh pastor William Damroth appeared in Orange County Court on Tuesday for sentencing, but the proceeding was adjourned until March 31 to allow time for restitution funds to clear.

Damroth, who was dressed in plain clothes, was accompanied by several supporters in the court gallery and his attorney, Joseph Gulino. Several other cases were called before Damroth appeared before Judge Craig S. Brown. Following a brief discussion at the bench between Gulino and other counsel, Brown rescheduled the sentencing for 9:15 a.m. on March 31.

“We were here for sentencing. Sentencing ended up being adjourned to March 31 because Judge Brown would like the restitution funds to be cleared into my attorney escrow account before sentencing,” Gulino said after the hearing. “That was a condition that restitution be paid, and I believe if it is paid and cleared, it’s going to be a show of good faith that’s going to be considered for sentencing.”

Damroth, formerly the pastor of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta parish in Newburgh, was transferred in summer 2022 to Immaculate Conception Parish in Port Jervis. That same summer, an audit by the Archdiocese of New York uncovered financial discrepancies at St. Mother Teresa, prompting an investigation. Damroth stepped down as pastor during the inquiry.

He was charged in December 2023 and pleaded guilty a year later to second-degree grand larceny. As part of his plea, he agreed to repay $300,000 in restitution to the Newburgh parish.

Prosecutors initially recommended a sentence of five years’ probation, but the judge later imposed a split sentence of six months in the Orange County Jail followed by five years of probation. Gulino said he would argue for a straight probation sentence.

“Our position is going to be advocating for straight probation. We did have a positive pre-sentence investigation report in that regard that did suggest straight probation was appropriate,” Gulino said. “Father Damroth has significant medical issues, so with the restitution clearing and being paid, hopefully at sentencing, it will go forward on the 31st. Our position would be advocating for straight probation.”

If the restitution is successfully processed, Damroth could receive five years’ probation without jail time. The $300,000 restitution would cover all allegations against him.

“Mr. Damroth was very adamant about the funds being there, so I don’t expect that to be an issue,” Gulino said.

Gulino said he received the check from Damroth that day and needed time to deposit it. He added that there had been confusion regarding payment and that he had not been able to meet with Damroth earlier due to his medical issues.

“I requested a little bit more time for the check to be deposited and cleared so we can come back and hopefully get the result that we think is fair in the scope of the range that Judge Brown promised,” Gulino said.

Gulino said he did not know what the funds were allegedly used for but acknowledged that others have said they were spent on personal expenses. He added that Damroth has expressed remorse, which was reflected in the pre-sentence investigation report.