A Trust Betrayed: Church Worker Accused of Stealing Half a Million Dollars

A former church worker in New Jersey is in hot water after being accused of stealing over half a million dollars from his own parish. Joseph A. Manzi, who worked as the director of finance, operations, and development at the Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft, is said to have used the money to fund a lifestyle that many can only dream of. This included designer clothes, a fancy car, and even tickets to Yankees games. The trouble started when Manzi was fired in June. About a month later, an auditor noticed something fishy in the church's accounts. The Diocese of Trenton then filed a civil lawsuit, accusing Manzi of secretly using parish funds for his own benefit. Prosecutors later charged him with theft by unlawful taking. Manzi had sole control of the church's credit cards. Investigators say he used them to make unauthorized purchases and payments totaling over $300, 000. This included chartering fishing trips, buying luxury items, paying for home repairs, and buying tickets to sporting events. Additionally, he is accused of diverting over $200, 000 in cash from the church for his personal use. The attorney general's office said that Manzi used his position of trust to steal from the church. They emphasized that the money was not used for any emergency or to feed his family, but rather to live a more lavish lifestyle. The director of the Division of Criminal Justice stated that church members who donate their hard-earned money expect it to be used for the good of the parish. Instead, Manzi allegedly enriched himself with church funds. If convicted, he faces five to ten years in state prison and a fine of up to $150, 000. This case raises questions about the importance of oversight and accountability in organizations, especially those that handle large sums of money. It also highlights the potential consequences of unchecked power and the betrayal of trust.