Former New Jersey church official charged with theft of 0,000 to support extravagant lifestyle.
A former employee of a Catholic church in New Jersey has been charged with embezzling over 0,000 from his parish to finance a luxurious lifestyle that included high-priced designer clothing, a luxury vehicle, and tickets to New York Yankees games. Joseph A. Manzi, 78, of Atlantic Highlands, has served as the director of finance, operations, and development for the Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft for more than a decade. He was terminated from his position in June 2023.
In July, following his dismissal, an audit revealed significant financial discrepancies within the parish’s accounts, prompting a civil lawsuit filed by the Diocese of Trenton on August 8 in Monmouth County Superior Court. The complaint accuses Manzi of systematically misappropriating parish funds for personal gain. The church’s legal representatives allege that he used his position of trust to act dishonestly and covertly, leading to the misallocation of funds.
Authorities from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and the Division of Criminal Justice have reviewed the financial records of St. Leo’s and subsequently filed criminal charges against Manzi. The allegations include theft by unlawful taking, as he reportedly utilized church funds for personal expenses rather than for legitimate needs or emergencies.
Manzi had exclusive control over the church’s credit cards, a privilege he allegedly abused by making unauthorized transactions exceeding 0,000. This includes expenses for luxury items, chartered fishing trips, home repair services, and sporting event tickets, including those for the Yankees. Furthermore, investigators reveal that he diverted more than 0,000 in cash from the church for personal use between January 11, 2019, and May 7, 2023.
Statements from the authorities have underscored the seriousness of the allegations. Theresa L. Hilton, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice, emphasized that parishioners who contribute their hard-earned money expected those donations to support the church and its activities. Instead, they allege that Manzi enriched himself through these funds.
If convicted, Manzi faces a prison sentence of five to 10 years and could be liable for fines up to 0,000. The case raises significant concerns regarding financial oversight within religious institutions and the potential vulnerabilities that exist when individuals are entrusted with managing significant sums of money. As the legal proceedings move forward, the Diocese and the community are left grappling with the implications of this breach of trust.
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