Court rulings, which precluded the diocese from presenting any witnesses from testifying before the court and allowed only one piece of evidence to be introduced, resulted in the court granting the Rev. Bollinger's motion for dismissal, according to a diocesan news release. The court rulings were made because the diocese had not met procedural requirements. 
 
Bollinger is the former rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Owego, New York. The Diocesan Review Committee received charges against Bollinger alleging financial misconduct and the breaking of ordination vows. After investigating the charges, the Diocesan Review Committee issued a presentment against Bollinger on February 24, 2006, according to the release.
 
A presentment is an accusatory instrument issued by the Diocesan Review Committee and is utilized in disciplinary cases when charges are made against clergy for misconduct. The Ecclesiastical Court holds trials on presentments so that evidence from all involved parties can be presented for consideration by the court of five judges.
 
"It is unfortunate that the facts regarding the charges were unable to be heard in an open court. My concerns and prayers remain with the members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church as they seek to be faithful to God's call to ministry in their community," Central New York Bishop Gladstone B. Adams said in the news release.

The Charities Bureau of the Office of the New York State Attorney General continues to conduct a criminal investigation in the matter, according to the release.