A former New Jersey church executive has admitted stealing more than $1.2 million from parish funds, using the money for luxury purchases, home repairs, and personal entertainment expenses, prosecutors said.
WEBDESK – NJNEWSLINE
A former chief executive of a Monmouth County church in New Jersey has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1.2 million from parish accounts to finance a lavish personal lifestyle that included a luxury SUV, fishing trips and New York Yankees games.
Authorities said 78-year-old Joseph Manzi of Atlantic Highlands admitted to misusing church funds while serving as CEO of Church of Saint Leo the Great in the Lincroft section of Middletown.
Investigators said the scheme was uncovered after Manzi left the church in June 2025, and a bookkeeper discovered suspicious expenses linked to a Cadillac SUV.
A wider review of church credit card records allegedly revealed hundreds of unauthorized purchases totaling nearly $674,000, including payments for home repairs, medical and dental bills, insurance, chartered fishing trips, and contributions to fraternal organizations.
Prosecutors also uncovered tax fraud and tax evasion tied to the stolen money.
“The defendant admitted in court that he used his position of trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the church,” said Jennifer Davenport. “He did so to fund a lavish lifestyle, and he is now facing the consequences of his greed.”
Manzi pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree filing of a fraudulent tax return.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors said he must repay $1.2 million in restitution to the church and an additional $73,032 in unpaid taxes to the state.
Authorities are also seeking a five-year prison sentence as part of the case.
The incident has shocked parish members and renewed concerns about financial oversight within nonprofit and religious organizations.
