Prosecutors say former New Jersey church official used stolen funds for Cadillac SUV, Yankees tickets and fishing trips
TRENTON, N.J. — A former New Jersey church finance official admitted stealing more than $1.2 million from a Roman Catholic parish while using the money to fund luxury purchases, sports tickets, fishing trips and personal expenses, prosecutors said Friday.
Joseph A. Manzi, 78, of Atlantic Highlands, pleaded guilty in Monmouth County Superior Court to second-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Investigators said Manzi previously served as the director of finance, operations and development for the Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft.
Authorities said church staff uncovered suspicious spending after Manzi’s employment ended around June 26, 2025, prompting a review of church credit card statements.
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According to prosecutors, investigators discovered numerous unauthorized charges allegedly tied to Manzi’s personal spending.
The investigation determined Manzi used church credit cards for vehicle financing and purchases, including a Cadillac SUV, luxury clothing, home repairs, medical and dental bills, personal insurance, sports tickets including New York Yankees games, chartered fishing trips and payments to fraternal organizations.
Authorities initially identified approximately $673,874 in stolen funds before uncovering additional thefts and tax-related crimes during the expanded investigation.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending a five-year New Jersey state prison sentence.
The agreement also requires Manzi to pay $1.2 million in restitution to the Church of Saint Leo the Great and $73,032 in unpaid taxes to the New Jersey State Treasury.
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The case was investigated by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice with assistance from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Middletown Township Police Department.
Key Points
- A former New Jersey church finance official admitted stealing more than $1.2 million from a Catholic church
- Prosecutors said the stolen money funded luxury purchases, Yankees tickets and fishing trips
- The plea agreement includes a recommended five-year prison sentence and restitution payments
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