(05/24/06) DARIEN - Darien police say they've ended their investigation of a former church pastor and have turned case information over to federal authorities.

Former St. John's Church pastor Father Michael Jude Fay is accused of stealing $200,000 to support a lavish affair with another man. He resigned from his post last week. Acting administrator Father Michael Madden has also stepped down from his post after he admitted hiring a private investigator to look at Fay's actions.

Madden will remain with the church as its parochial vicar for now. Although Madden says he made the decision to resign, many parishioners believe he was pressured to step down. Bishop William Lori of the Bridgeport Diocese says Madden will eventually go on sabbatical. Fay has not yet been charged in the case.