A Catholic church in New Jersey has filed a major lawsuit against its bookkeeper, who is being accused of stealing approximately $1.5 million from the church fund to go on a spending spree that included everything from fancy cigars to sports tickets to expenses from his daughter’s wedding, leading the church to demand restitution.
For background, on August 12, 2025, the Church of Saint Leo the Great, located in Lincroft, New Jersey, filed a legal complaint against its bookkeeper, Joseph A. Manzi, accusing Manzi of misappropriating a staggering amount of the church’s money for “his own personal benefit.” In a statement issued alongside the lawsuit, the church confirmed that an investigation was underway, but the Monmouth County Police have yet to clarify whether they are participating.
In its complaint, the church’s attorneys alleged of Manzi, “Instead of managing and overseeing the administration of St. Leo’s financial dealings, including the managing of its business operating account in accordance with his fiduciary duty, Manzi systematically, secretly, and dishonestly utilized parish funds for his own personal benefit.” The complaint went on, “Charges on those cards were paid directly out of St. Leo’s operating account.”
Continuing, the complaint detailed how Manzi had “treated the St. Leo’s operating account as his personal piggy bank,” making purchases ranging from lavish meals to payments related to his Cadillac. St. Leo’s described Manzi’s actions as “widespread fraud and theft,” adding, “Pursuant to St. Leo’s policies, which Manzi was aware of, St. Leo’s business credit cards were to be used for business purposes only.”
Moreover, the lawsuit detailed how, based on the church’s investigation, it was determined that for over six years, “Manzi utilized St. Leo’s business credit card accounts, to pay for tickets to sporting events; personal vehicles, construction projects on his personal home; landscaping, gift cards; expenses related to his daughter’s wedding; his own personal taxes; meals and cigars; among other things.”
Furthermore, in a statement issued alongside the lawsuit, the Catholic Diocese of Trenton wrote, “Concerns recently surfaced about possible financial improprieties committed against the parish.” The statement continued, “A preliminary investigation conducted by the parish and officials of the Diocese of Trenton confirmed a basis for these concerns, and the parish and Diocese took immediate steps to address them.”
Continuing, the diocese clarified that the allegations against Manzi “were reported to both local and state law enforcement and civil remedies are being explored in connection with all misappropriated funds.” The statement continued, “The parish and Diocese are continuing to investigate this matter and have committed full cooperation with law enforcement efforts. As this is a subject of a law enforcement investigation and civil litigation, we are not able to comment further at this time.”
In addition, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office told the Monmouth Journal that prosecutors were “aware of the claims made in the civil suit,” adding, “However, we can neither confirm nor deny that an investigation was, or is, underway into those claims.”