A North Carolina man has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for defrauding a student parish at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Federal prosecutors say 27-year-old Brian Lee Cansler, who pleaded guilty to charges in May, used his position to defraud the UNC Newman Center Catholic Student Parish. He was sentenced on Nov. 27.

A news release from the U.S. Department of Justice said Cansler was financial director at the parish. Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston said Cansler forged the serving pastor’s signature on checks made out to Cansler from the parish, and he also fraudulently misused credit cards issued to the parish to make unauthorized purchases, including travel, computer equipment and clothing.

A judge also ordered Cansler also has been ordered to pay more than $171,000 in restitution.

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