Former Finance Director Accused of Stealing $1.5 Million from New Jersey Church

A Catholic church in Monmouth County, New Jersey, is suing its former finance director for stealing more than $1.5 million in church money over the course of several years. The Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft says that a former employee named Joseph Manzi secretly took money from the parish for his own use. Church officials call this a long-running violation of trust.

The church says in a civil action filed last Friday that Manzi was part of a planned conspiracy that lasted about six years. During that time, he allegedly changed financial systems to move church money into accounts or payments that were in his own best interest. The complaint says that the money that parishioners gave for religious programming, community outreach, and operational necessities was instead used for personal expenses.

According to church lawyers, the case shows a pattern of secret financial activities that were set up on purpose to avoid detection. Parish officials believe that the alleged theft hurt the church’s finances and made the community, which has long supported the church with donations and volunteer work, lose faith in it.

The church hasn’t said all about how the alleged plan was found out, but the complaint indicated that internal financial reviews eventually showed that something was wrong. The parish’s lawyers say that using parishioners’ donations in the wrong way is a major breach of both ethical and fiduciary duties.

The Church of Saint Leo the Great has been serving the Lincroft neighborhood for many years. Now, they are going to court to get their money back. The parish is not only trying to get back the money it says was stolen, but it is also trying to get damages for the damage and disruption to its purpose and reputation.

The church is suing in civil court as part of a larger effort to deal with the alleged wrongdoing and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Parish officials have said they are looking over their own rules and making sure that community finances are safe by putting in place stronger oversight mechanisms.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has said they know about the issue, but no criminal charges have been filed yet. The case is likely to go to court, where more information about the accusations, evidence, and defense will come to light.

The accusations are a clear reminder to church members and the community at large of how important it is for nonprofits and religious groups to be open and responsible. The lawsuit’s conclusion might have long-term effects on how churches and other similar organizations handle and safeguard their money.