A former finance official at a Monmouth County Catholic church has admitted to stealing more than $1 million from the parish—spending the money on personal expenses, including a Cadillac SUV, luxury clothing, Yankees tickets, and charter fishing trips.
78-year-old Joseph A. Manzi of Atlantic Highlands pleaded guilty in Monmouth County Superior Court to second-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree filing of a fraudulent tax return, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced.
Manzi had served as director of finance, operations and development for the Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft. After his employment ended on June 26, 2025, church staff reviewed credit card statements and uncovered a pattern of unauthorized personal charges, triggering an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Middletown Township Police Department.
A preliminary investigation found Manzi had embezzled approximately $673,874. However, a deeper review later uncovered additional stolen funds, along with tax fraud and tax evasion offenses, bringing the total figure to over $1 million.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a five-year state prison sentence. Additionally, Manzi is required to pay $1.2 million in restitution to St. Leo and $73,032 in unpaid taxes to the State of New Jersey.
“The defendant admitted in court that he used his position of trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the church,” Attorney General Davenport said in a statement. “He did so to fund a lavish lifestyle, and he is now facing the consequences of his greed.”
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