ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque man has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $2 million in funds from the Norbertine Community of New Mexico and Santa María de la Vid Abbey and filing a false federal tax return.
James Joseph Owens, 68, a former member of the Norbertine Community of New Mexico and the treasurer for NCNM and Santa María de la Vid Abbey, allegedly transferred more than $2 million in abbey funds to accounts he controlled from May 2022 to March 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Owens allegedly used the funds for personal benefit, including deposits into investment accounts and the purchase of a residence in Placitas…