1990-1992, Charles Keating被判欺詐罪,侵吞了21,000多人的投資款達$285百萬,其中大部分是老年人畢生的積蓄。由於在80年代,Keating曾經給特雷莎捐款$1.25百萬,特雷莎就寫信給法官Ito為Keating求情,聲稱她當時不知道他是做什麼的,稱Keating是一個對窮人有善心慷慨的好人,因此請法官開恩,要法官look into his heart, do what Jesus would do。後來Keating被定罪以後,起訴他的洛杉磯地區檢察官Paul Turley給特雷莎寫了一封誠懇地信,並以「耶穌會怎麼樣做」為題勸特雷莎歸還那些Keating偷來的錢,信的摘要是這樣的:
Ask yourself what Jesus would do if he were given the fruits of a crime; what Jesus would do if he were in possession of money that had been stolen; what Jesus would do if he were being exploited by a thief to ease his conscience? I submit that Jesus would promptly and unhesitatingly return the stolen property to its rightful owners. You should do the same. You have been given money by Mr. Keating that he has been convicted of stealing by fraud. Do not permit him the 'indulgence' he desires. Do not keep the money. Return it to those who worked for it and earned it! If you contact me I will put you in direct contact with the rightful owners of the property now in your possession.