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Monsignor Meth: "Cross-Dresser Who Liked Sex In Rectory" And Owned Sex Shop
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 18, 2013
Modified Jan 18, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 18, 2013
Modified Jan 18, 2013
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Is there NOTHING that Monsignor Kevin Wallin cannot do? Yesterday, it was revealed that the former Connecticut priest was arrested for dealing methamphetamine as part of a cross-country meth operation. Now it turns out that he was a "cross-dresser who was having sex in the rectory at Bridgeport's St. Augustine Cathedral" and, after leaving the priesthood, "bought an adult specialty and video store in North Haven called Land of Oz that sells sex toys and X-rated DVDs." It's like Walter White meets Bosom Buddies meets that skeevy sex shop at the strip mall.
According to the Connecticut Post, the Bridgeport Archdiocese says there's no evidence that Wallin, 61, was selling drugs while he was a priest there. But they did realize something was odd:
While pastor of St. Augustine's, sources said he often disappeared for days at a time; and rectory personnel became concerned and notified diocese officials when Wallin, sometimes dressed as a woman, would entertain odd-looking men, some who were also dressed in women's clothing and engaging in sex acts.
In addition, diocese officials found bizarre sex toys in Wallin's residence, the sources said.
Diocese officials consulted lawyers about the situation and were assured none of Wallin's behavior appeared illegal.
Still, it's a "sexual circus" from a religious ringmaster!
Wallin had left the church in mid-2011, because he admitted he was "struggling" and took a sabbatical—then he dropped out of touch with officials. The authorities were tipped off about Wallin's involvement in a meth ring last year: "They said the informant had met Wallin at a party in early 2012 and struck up an agreement for Wallin to sell the informant six ounces of the drug a week for a total of $9,000. The arrangement last about six weeks, delayed only when Wallin had to go into rehabilitation for his own addiction to meth."
It's believed the Land of Oz, which is also a smoke shop in North Haven, enabled Wallin to launder the drug money. Later, at Wallin's apartment, an undercover officer saw a "gallon-size plastic bag filled with crystal meth." The feds found that the meth that he was selling was 98.5% pure.
The Connecticut Post adds, "Wallin... was fluent in drug lingo, and in text messages he would often use street phrases such as '5 Grover Clevelands,' for $500 worth of meth or 'eight balls,' for an eighth of an ounce, the indictment states." A parishioner said, "There is an evil invading our world and it has come to our church. This was a work of evil—and I am praying for the monsignor."
Tagged
bridgeport
cross dressing
kevin wallin
meth
meth addiction
methamphetamine
monsignor meth
rectory
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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