MELISSA MONTOYA

MMONTOYA@NEWS-PRESS.COM

A priest at a Sanibel church was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office for allegedly exploiting a elderly parishioner.

Rev. Christopher Senk, of the St. Isabel Catholic Church, has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to the Diocese of Venice.

The criminal investigation was sent to the state attorney's office, but no charges have been brought forward at this time, said Susan Laielli, director of communications for the Diocese.

Senk declined to comment when reached by phone Saturday evening.

"I think I would be advised not to comment," he said.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office has not responded to a request for comment regarding the investigation.

According to the Diocese, investigators interviewed a number of people, including Senk. The victim who Senk allegedly exploited suffers from dementia. Personal records of Senk and the victim were subpoenaed for the investigation.

"Officials believed that Father Senk took advantage of his position of trust to financially exploit an elderly and vulnerable parishioner, and that he continued to do so even after family members, acting as appointed guardians, directed him to stop," the news release by the Diocese of Venice states.

While criminal charges have not been filed, the Diocese will review the incident to see if the alleged actions by Senk broke the Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct, Laielli said.

"Pope Francis reminds all, that priests are called to live simply and to identify with the poor, and to avoid seeking personal financial gain," the Diocese said in a statement. "It is necessary to ensure that priests who serve in the name of the Church act with compassion and respect, especially in the care of elderly and vulnerable parishioners."

Senk, originally from western Massachusetts, arrived in Southwest Florida in 2003 and made a home at the small Sanibel parish. He oversaw the reconstruction of St. Isabel after Hurricane Charley ravaged its building on Sanibel Captiva Road.

Diocese of Venice sued for damages in sex abuse case

Diocese of Venice to ordain 3 into priesthood