New Jersey church says finance director stole $1.5 million, spent it on cigars, sports, vehicles

CNA Staff, Aug 14, 2025 / 10:53 am

A New Jersey church is alleging in a lawsuit that its finance director stole more than a million dollars over several years and spent it on personal items including wedding expenses and cigars. 

The Church of St. Leo the Great in Lincroft, New Jersey, said in the Aug. 8 filing that its former finance director, Joseph Manzi, “systematically, secretly, and dishonestly utilized parish funds for his own personal benefit.”

The total amount that Manzi allegedly stole “appears to exceed $1,500,000,” the parish said. He has “not reimbursed St. Leo’s” for any of the alleged stolen funds, according to the lawsuit.

Manzi was hired at the parish in 2014 and was fired from that position on June 26, the suit says. The filing does not disclose why he was fired, but it said an auditor discovered financial irregularities in the parish accounts on July 31, several weeks after Manzi was dismissed. 

A subsequent investigation allegedly uncovered more than six years of financial malfeasance by Manzi, including using parish funds “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,” and other things.

His alleged use of parish funds constituted “widespread fraud and theft,” the parish said, alleging that the finance director diverted funds to fraudulent accounts and utilized automatic payments from the church to cover personal expenses.

The lawsuit is seeking financial damages from Manzi, including the return of his compensation during his employment at the parish. It is also seeking a “constructive trust” over Manzi’s home in Atlantic Highlands, with the parish alleging that the home’s mortgage and repairs were financed with funds stolen from the parish.

On its website, the parish said it had reported the alleged crimes to local and state law enforcement while pursuing the civil lawsuit.

On Aug. 13, meanwhile, the Diocese of Trenton said in a statement that it is cooperating with law enforcement and that its own investigation had “confirmed a basis” for the allegations.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated in the headline and story text that the parish’s bookkeeper was the one accused; it was in fact the finance director. The story has been corrected accordingly. (Published Aug. 29, 2025)