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Sarasota News Leader March 8, 2013 Page 67 es users to keep volumes muted or to wear for persons 65 years or older and eligible perheadphones. sons with disabilities. The Express fares are $2.50 one-way or $5 for round trips, the release points out. A 30-day For more information, contact the Sarasota pass is $85, and a discounted pass costs $42.50 County Call Center at 861-5000 or TTY: 7-1-1. CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR CHARGED WITH GRAND THEFT The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested Robert Kondratick, 67, of 11722 Tempest Harbor Loop, Venice, for allegedly embezzling more than $50,000 from church funds intended to help parishioners who have fallen on hard times, the office has announced. Kondratick was employed as administrator of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church on Shamrock Boulevard, a Sheriff's Office report says. Church council members contacted the Sheriff's Office at the end of January after discovering funds had been misused over a six-month period from June to December 2012, the report notes. Church officials fired Kondratick at that time, the report adds. Witnesses say Kondratick requested signed blank checks to pay what he said were church expenses, according to the report. However, the investigation revealed he cashed 28 checks, 14 of them made out to "cash" — totaling $25,950 — with the remainder made out to himself, totaling $28,000, the report says. "A large number of the checks noted in the memo section that they were intended for the 'Good Samaritan Fund,' the report points out. That is a fund the church uses to assist parishioners who need financial assistance, the report continues. Robert Kondratick/Contributed photo an explanation and would not have any documentation or receipts." When confronted by church council members at one point, the report adds, Kondratick said, "What do you want me to do? Work it off?" Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Kondratick, who turned himself in March 6 to face one felony count of Grand Theft, the report adds. The Orthodox Church of America relieved Kondratick of his duties as priest in 2007 following an investigation into financial misconduct while Kondratick was working in SyosWhen questioned about the expenditures, the set, NY, the report says. Criminal charges were report says, "Kondratick would rarely have not pursued at that time.%