Man accused of stealing from church

BOSTON (AP) - A Boston masonry contractor has been charged with stealing more than $30,000 from the Winthrop church he was supposed to be working on.

Prosecutors allege Michael Bocchino failed to complete $10,000 worth of work he had agreed to do at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic church, then stole another $20,000 using checks he took from the rectory. Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley called the alleged thefts "appalling."

The 50-year-old Bocchino, owner of Bocchino Masonry, is charged with multiple counts of larceny and writing false checks.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last week and was released on $1,000 bail.

He is due back in court on Dec. 21. He did not immediately return a call for comment.