Fr. David Rosenberg was accused of stealing roughly $830,000 from the elderly priests he was charged with helping; the Michigan priest was charged in 2022 and convinced in 2024. The priest pled innocent to all crimes. He faces a raft of charges, from embezzlement to criminal fraud. Rosenberg faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. As part of sentencing, he was ordered to pay restitution to the victims.
“David Rosenberg, 72, of DeWitt, was sentenced by Judge Cori Barkman in the 29th Circuit Court to 4 to 20 years’ incarceration and ordered to pay restitution to the victims’ estates,” said the Michigan DOJ in a press release. ” A Clinton County jury found Rosenberg guilty of eight felonies, for embezzling or stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from retired, elderly priests.”
The document explained that Rosenberg, also a priest, was employed as Director of the Lansing Catholic Diocese’s St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt between 2015 and 2021. He embezzled or stole approximately $780,000 from three priests and gave the stolen funds to his charitable foundation, FaithFirst, formerly the Rosenberg Family Corporation.
Police became aware of the situation after Rosenburg had an elderly priest, who had recently suffered a stroke, give him a power of attorney. Rosenburg then transferred thousands of dollars into his personal accounts. In another case, he transferred $178,000 from an elderly pastor in hospice. According to investigators, ” [the victim] thought he was going to get his money back,” but the “paperwork indicates that that would not have happened.”
His defense tried to paint him as a misguided philanthropist. “At worst, Father David is a holier version of Robin Hood,” attorney Dustyn Coontz said. “At best (and in reality), Father David Rosenberg is completely innocent of the accusations against him.” He added that “each of the allegations will be easy for Father David to overcome.” His defense was unsuccessful with this line of reasoning.
His lawyer said at the time, “What’s more reasonable: the Attorney General’s story of a mastermind manipulator who doesn’t even personally benefit from the crimes or the possibility that clergy wanted to be charitable with their earthly treasures as they contemplated the eternal? We think the latter is far more reasonable.” He ironically added, “Fortunately, he’s innocent of these allegations and will be vindicated in the end.”
A local Catholic official expressed his dismay at the situation. “Bishops have a duty to care for their elderly and infirm priests, especially those with acute physical or mental diminishment,” he said. This care should entail engaging elder care professionals such as attorneys, CPAs, and court-appointed guardians who understand and will faithfully execute their fiduciary duty on behalf of these vulnerable priests.”
Watch Coverage of his Arrest Here:
“Stealing from our elderly and vulnerable adults, especially from a position of authority, is a significant crime, and this sentence reflects that,” said the District attorney. “My department will continue to prosecute these crimes on behalf of victims living or deceased, and it is our hope that would-be thieves and scammers see this is a serious offense that can get them years behind bars.”
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