Archive: Former St Vincent’s Headmaster Jailed After Arrest Warrant Issued

Days after a warrant was issued for his arrest, documents showed former St. Vincent de Paul College Prep principal Patrick Daly was being held in the Sonoma County Jail on Monday.

Jail records show the 59-year-old man was arrested at 2:48 p.m. Monday and is scheduled to appear in Sonoma County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Petaluma police told the Argus-Courier last week that the warrant was related to an investigation into embezzlement of at least $100,000.

Jail records did not list any charges against Daly or his bail amount. Court records showed no charges had been filed by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office as of Monday evening.

Daly’s attorney was not immediately available for comment Monday.

Last August, the school suddenly fired Daly, sparking protests from upset students supporting the former principal.

Shortly thereafter, the parish school’s spiritual leader, the Reverend William Donahue, told the school community that Daly had spent thousands of dollars in “unauthorized charges” on a school credit card issued to the principal.

According to Donahue, Daly charged $52,000 in advance fees, $3,500 at the San Leandro Marina and $3,000 in pet-related expenses, among other things.

Petaluma Police Officer Ryan McGreevy said last week that a criminal investigation into the allegations began in late August, after Daly was fired.

In March, Daly filed a lawsuit against the parish, the school and church leaders, alleging wrongful termination, defamation and other allegations.

The issue revolved around Petaluma’s only Catholic high school, which until late May was operated by St. Vincent de Paul Parish within the Diocese of Santa Rosa.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at [email protected]. On Twitter @colin_atagi