A Catholic priest in Durham's due in court later charged with two counts of fraud.
Fr John Reid, 69, is yet to enter a plea against the allegations.
It's yet to be officially disclosed how much money is involved in the alleged fraud.
The priest stepped down from his ministry at St Cuthbert's Church in Chester-le-Street and St Bede's Church in Sacriston when he was first arrested in 2014. He'd served in a number of other churches prior to the arrest.
The Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said in a statement: "Following his arrest, Father John Reid voluntarily withdrew from public ministry during the course of the investigations, and this will remain in place during court proceedings.
"The Right Reverend Seamus Cunningham, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, has been aware of the situation throughout, and arranged for another priest to provide pastoral care of the parishes of Chester-le-Street and Sacriston.
"The bishop also provided for the pastoral care of Father John Reid.
"The Diocese is cooperating fully with Durham Constabulary over this matter until it is resolved."
Fr Reid will be appearing at Peterlee Magistrate's Court.
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Article by Aaron James
Tola Mbakwe is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
