A vicar claimed £30,000 in unauthorised work expenses and set up a 'breakaway' church, a tribunal heard.
Ryan Forey, 35, paid himself £300 a month and his wife £500 a month while he oversaw Citizen Church in Cardiff.
Mr Forey's monthly payments to himself were for services that 'were not conducted' and the 'clergy spouse allowance' for his wife was not a 'legitimate expense'.
The tribunal heard the payments were not concealed and he held a 'genuine, albeit misguided belief' that they were allowed because he had seen 'similar practices used in previous churches he had worked at.'
The disgraced vicar also set up a 'breakaway' church in Cardiff called Be Church.
