Bronx priest stole more than $1M from two NYC churches

[zz912]

Fair warning, some very LURID details at the link on the accusations made in the lawsuit filed by parishioners of two parishes in NYC.

EXCLUSIVE: Bronx priest stole more than $1M from two NYC churches, used the cash on wild S&M romance with beefy boyfriend: lawsuit

nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx-priest-sued-allegedly-stealing-1m-churches-article-1.2462101

Father, forgive him.

A scandalous lawsuit accuses a Bronx priest of looting more than $1 million from a pair of city parishes — then spending the cash on a long-running S&M romance with a muscle-bound boyfriend.

Miqueli, 53, was also accused of stealing money donated to fix a church pipe organ, siphoning funds from a parish thrift shop and getting high on drugs provided by a Bronx parishioner.

 

[zz912]

abc7ny.com/religion/bronx-priest-steps-down-after-allegations-of-stealing-money-for-drug-fueled-lifestyle/1121155/

Bronx priest steps down after allegations of stealing money for drug-fueled lifestyle

THROGGS NECK, Bronx (WABC) –
After morning mass, Timothy Cardinal Dolan addressed allegations that are tearing a Throggs Neck parish apart - not by worshipers, but by the man who once led them - Father Peter Miqueli.

“We’re dealing with a lot of innuendo, a lot of rumors, a lot of gossip - what we have to deal with is the truth,” Cardinal Dolan said.

Frustration is felt by many at St. Frances de Chantal Church and so as not to be a distraction, Miqueli abruptly resigned this weekend by voluntarily stepped down from his post. Just days ago, parishioners sued the embattled priest for allegedly stealing roughly $1 million from St. Frances and his prior church on Roosevelt Island.

One woman claims she has proof that Miqueli used part of the cash to buy a home in New Jersey, and to fund a drug-fueled lifestyle for him and his alleged boyfriend.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

This is, sadly, a very serious matter and may get much worse. Cardinal Dolan is going to have to answer some very difficult questions about his actions regarding this priest.

We should all pray for the Archdiocese of New York.

 

[crystal_waters]

No matter what he is done we must remember he is is human and vulnerable to sin like the rest of mankind…we must also remember that he is one of God’s priests and that this must wound the heart of Jesus so much…therefore lets not judge the priest (remember the bible says judge not lest ye be judged) and lets pray for the priest and all involved…and lets also pray in atonement to Jesus for the sins of this priest who despite his sin Jesus will still love and cherish…lets also pray that this news article doesn’t cause anybody to fall away from the faith or deter any potential converts from joining the catholic church…

 

[FollowChrist34]

Fair warning, some very LURID details at the link on the accusations made in the lawsuit filed by parishioners of two parishes in NYC.

EXCLUSIVE: Bronx priest stole more than $1M from two NYC churches, used the cash on wild S&M romance with beefy boyfriend: lawsuit

nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx-priest-sued-allegedly-stealing-1m-churches-article-1.2462101

Father, forgive him.

A scandalous lawsuit accuses a Bronx priest of looting more than $1 million from a pair of city parishes — then spending the cash on a long-running S&M romance with a muscle-bound boyfriend.

Miqueli, 53, was also accused of stealing money donated to fix a church pipe organ, siphoning funds from a parish thrift shop and getting high on drugs provided by a Bronx parishioner.

Yes, this is hitting the Internet bigtime. It does make you wonder though - back to the lavender mafia and all those rumors (my question is why didn’t they step in and shut this down before there were threads and national articles all over the Internet on it). Also the fact that the parishioners did the dirty work, not the Archdiocese. Bizarre. Sad.

 

[cathgal]

No matter what he is done we must remember he is is human and vulnerable to sin like the rest of mankind…we must also remember that he is one of God’s priests and that this must wound the heart of Jesus so much…therefore lets not judge the priest (remember the bible says judge not lest ye be judged) and lets pray for the priest and all involved…and lets also pray in atonement to Jesus for the sins of this priest who despite his sin Jesus will still love and cherish…lets also pray that this news article doesn’t cause anybody to fall away from the faith or deter any potential converts from joining the catholic church…

What do you mean ‘lets not judge the priest’? It is what it is.

The filth in NY Archdiocese is finally exposed thanks to parishioners since their hierarchy has been looking the other way for years, a hierarchy that takes its cues from its cardinal Tim Dolan. This priest embezzled 1 million to fund his deviant sex life with his male prostitute. The Church has a serious homosexual priest problem for decades and still is. Pray for the end to these filth, and in order for it to end, it must be exposed, from the top to the bottom of the corrupted clergy!

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

Yes, this is hitting the Internet bigtime. It does make you wonder though - back to the lavender mafia and all those rumors (my question is why didn’t they step in and shut this down before there were threads and national articles all over the Internet on it). Also the fact that the parishioners did the dirty work, not the Archdiocese. Bizarre. Sad.

The reason it hit the internet big-time is that the New York Post and New York Daily News both have reporters stationed at the courthouses to report on any interesting lawsuit that gets filed. Often, attorneys to avoid this put a seal on their filings.

archny.org/news/flocknote-on-st-frances-de-chantal-news-story

Dear parishioners of the archdiocese:

You may have seen or heard some disturbing reports concerning a lawsuit filed against the pastor of one of our parishes, Father Miqueli of St. Frances de Chantal in the Bronx, as well as Cardinal Dolan and the Archdiocese of New York. I am sorry to have to discuss this issue, particularly during this time of the year, but I wanted you to have some more information about this than has been reported in the media.

First, I cannot and will not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit itself. As this is a legal matter, I will let the lawyers handle that in court.

But, I can say that there are a group of individuals at St. Francis de Chantal parish who have made some serious allegations concerning Fr. Miqueli. The archdiocese has, from the beginning, taken these allegations seriously, and has been investigating them, including conducting a forensic audit of the parish, which is still on-going. One of our auxiliary bishops, Bishop John Jenik, has met with the parishioners, in an effort to try to hear their concerns and reach a resolution, along with a distinguished group of legal professionals.

To date we have found nothing to substantiate the allegations that have been raised, and, in fact, with regard to the parish finances, we know that the allegation that Father Miqueli stole $1 million from each parish, as was alleged by the plantiffs’ attorney, is completely false. We did find that Father Miqueli had deficient management and administrative practices, and have put forward several directives to remedy those deficiencies.

We have asked the people who are making these charges to please provide us with documentation, but they have thus far failed to do so. I would like to reiterate that if anyone has information or documentation to substantiate the allegations, we would invite them to bring that information forward, or to contact the D.A.

However, I repeat, that we have been and continue to investigate this situation, but have not found anything that would confirm or substantiate the allegations raised. If, in the course of our ongoing investigation, we find additional information, we will, of course, take appropriate action in response.

Please keep all involved in this matter, particularly the parishioners of St. Frances de Chantal, in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Joseph Zwilling
Director of Communications

Here is what I don’t understand, embezzling over a million dollars is a criminal matter. Why is this a civil suit? Have the plaintiffs brought their evidence to the DA?

 

[whipp711]

It is quite common for criminal charges to be filed AFTER civil suits are filed. There is a high probability that parish members went to the police initially, but got the cold shoulder on investigations.

Right now, we have rumors flying all over the place. We need to settle down and let the facts reveal themselves. I still have a very, very bad feeling about the accusations and possible cover up by the Diocese and Cardnial Dolan. Shades of past cover ups cloud the news today. I pray that it is not true. If it is, it’s time to clean house. No excuses.

 

[mikekle]

It is quite common for criminal charges to be filed AFTER civil suits are filed. There is a high probability that parish members went to the police initially, but got the cold shoulder on investigations.

Right now, we have rumors flying all over the place. We need to settle down and let the facts reveal themselves. I still have a very, very bad feeling about the accusations and possible cover up by the Diocese and Cardnial Dolan. Shades of past cover ups cloud the news today. I pray that it is not true. If it is, it’s time to clean house. No excuses.

From what Ive seen, the civil lawsuits comes after a criminal trial.

Many years ago around here, we had a priest from another parish steal a whole lot of money over a period of years, police did investigate, but it never went anywhere in the courts, after this, members of the parish filed a civil lawsuit, which they did win a judgement, but I dont think he has ever paid any money back.

 

[FollowChrist34]

It is quite common for criminal charges to be filed AFTER civil suits are filed. There is a high probability that parish members went to the police initially, but got the cold shoulder on investigations.

Right now, we have rumors flying all over the place. We need to settle down and let the facts reveal themselves. I still have a very, very bad feeling about the accusations and possible cover up by the Diocese and Cardnial Dolan. Shades of past cover ups cloud the news today. I pray that it is not true. If it is, it’s time to clean house. No excuses.

It is definitely time to clean house and it is inexcusable to let these kinds of situations slide just because no one can figure out what to do about them. But, on the other hand, what if some of the accusations are exaggerated or untrue (i.e., it wasn’t a million dollars that was embezzled). What does a diocese do with (justly angry to the point of vindictive) parishioners on a tear so to speak. You have to be balanced with the evidence, which no one wants to do with what is clearly a pretty sick situation. I am with Francis on pushing being proactive - this kind of slow response is basically suicidal. Clean house - an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure, guys.

 

[whipp711]

From what Ive seen, the civil lawsuits comes after a criminal trial.

Many years ago around here, we had a priest from another parish steal a whole lot of money over a period of years, police did investigate, but it never went anywhere in the courts, after this, members of the parish filed a civil lawsuit, which they did win a judgement, but I dont think he has ever paid any money back.

In most cases yes on the chicken and egg of what comes first. As a criminal prosecutor myself, I’ve seen many criminal cases spawning civil suits. Especially when there is financial malfeasance involved. The Feds chase financial misconduct more readily than local police or DA’s. Locally, we don’t have the resources to investigate allegations from groups the report this type of wrong doing. If a group does the investigation initially and files a civil suit, we will run the the evidence discovered and file criminal charges.

Regardless of chicken or egg deal, the truth will hopefully emerge in the process. I just hope for transparency and truth.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The parishioners’ civil suit:

docs.google.com/document/d/12yp-3ZDvMecdw_bjz4_Oa4VhfI59Ww-V2noaZhT_SWI/edit

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

The lawsuit is peppered with this term, “upon information and belief”

Which in legal terms means:

Information and belief
n. a phrase often used in legal pleadings (complaints and answers in a lawsuit), declarations under penalty of perjury, and affidavits under oath, in which the person making the statement or allegation qualifies it. In effect, he/she says: “I am only stating what I have been told, and I believe it.” This makes clear about which statements he/she does not have sure-fire, personal knowledge (perhaps it is just hearsay or surmise) and protects the maker of the statement from claims of outright falsehood or perjury. The typical phraseology is: “Plaintiff is informed and believes, and upon such information and belief, alleges that defendant diverted the funds to his own use.”

Read more: dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=954#ixzz3uPp0ma7p

And I will add, if the embezzlement allegations are true, it is a crime and he should be prosecuted. The NY archdiocese has cooperated in the past with investigations of embezzlement.

If the gay sex allegations are true, then Father Miqueli should probably not be in public ministry.

 

[FollowChrist34]

abc7ny.com/religion/bronx-priest-steps-down-after-allegations-of-stealing-money-for-drug-fueled-lifestyle-/1121155/

“We’re dealing with a lot of innuendo, a lot of rumors, a lot of gossip - what we have to deal with is the truth,” Cardinal Dolan said.

Frustration is felt by many at St. Frances de Chantal Church and so as not to be a distraction, Miqueli abruptly resigned this weekend by voluntarily stepped down from his post. Just days ago, parishioners sued the embattled priest for allegedly stealing roughly $1 million from St. Frances and his prior church on Roosevelt Island.

One woman claims she has proof that Miqueli used part of the cash to buy a home in New Jersey, and to fund a drug-fueled lifestyle for him and his alleged boyfriend.

Cardinal Dolan tells Eyewitness News that he forwarded the emails from the accused to the Bronx District Attorney.

“They are lured, terrible - now when I read them about three months ago, it was she saying 'this is what I’m telling you, I have photographs, I have evidence - and I said, ‘oh, I’m glad, please come in and give them to me and to the police, and she didn’t’,” Cardinal Dolan said.

The Archdiocese of New York was also named in the lawsuit, is investigating all of this, and says so far it has found no evidence of embezzlement.

The District Attorney’s office tells Eyewitness News that it has been tracking things and is waiting for the Archdiocese to complete its financial audit.

This investigation is underway - what happened has not been determined. I realize this could be the Archdiocese dragging their feet, but there could turn out to be some truth to their response that some of these charges are exaggerated or unfounded. Perhaps it was just a bad situation - the basis of the story is true - that got out of hand. I feel like we should wait until things clear up. Although, there is definitely a smelly rat in all of this somewhere…

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

This investigation is underway - what happened has not been determined. I realize this could be the Archdiocese dragging their feet, but there could turn out to be some truth to their response that some of these charges are exaggerated or unfounded. Perhaps it was just a bad situation - the basis of the story is true - that got out of hand. I feel like we should wait until things clear up. Although, there is definitely a smelly rat in all of this somewhere…

So, the Archdiocese forwarded the information to the DA? That’s good to know.

There are lots of rats in NY though, didn’t you see the Pizza Rat a number of weeks ago.

 

[FollowChrist34]

So, the Archdiocese forwarded the information to the DA? That’s good to know.

There are lots of rats in NY though, didn’t you see the Pizza Rat a number of weeks ago.

youtube.com/watch?v=UPXUG8q4jKU

Now I have…love it. Looks like he loses it at the end though, right? That’s a bummer. Gotta feel something for the little guy, huh (hopefully he went back and got some).

Speaking as a pizza fanatic myself…

 

[zab]

This investigation is underway - what happened has not been determined. I realize this could be the Archdiocese dragging their feet, but there could turn out to be some truth to their response that some of these charges are exaggerated or unfounded. Perhaps it was just a bad situation - the basis of the story is true - that got out of hand. I feel like we should wait until things clear up. Although, there is definitely a smelly rat in all of this somewhere…

I agree with you, but for many, the Catholic Church is the only place where one is guilty until proven innocent. And that includes the accused and every person in authority over him.

 

[Minion_w_a_drum]

I pray that, no matter what the investigation discovers or what the outcome is concerning possible crimes and the punishments for such, that the image and perception of the church is not hurt.

As a life long catholic for 50 years I’ve come to realize that, to the church, positive image and perception trump everything else.

 

[zz912]

I’m still trying to figure out how this even got this far. My prior CPA firm did some projects the my diocese, and one of them was to do a review of parishes, to see if they were abiding by diocesan rules on finances, money and pay.

Part of our work was to go to each parish and witness the counting process for collections. In every parish, the priest never really had any opportunity for skimming money. The procedure was for two ushers to take the Mass collection, place it in a sealed bag and put it in the night drop safe. On Monday, two of the count team would open the safe and bring the bags to the count room where a volunteer team counted the money. None of the priests I noted even had time to be part of the count. And NO ONE was allowed to control the money by themselves. So at most, a volunteer could possibly skim a very small amount of money during the count, maybe $20 a week. But even that was unlikely as they would have to be a skilled skimmer willing to waste their time on $20.

Once counted, the deposit tickets are filled out and put into bank bags for deposit. So the priests never had a chance to take money as alleged in the suit.

As for spending parish money, another part of the diocesan rules was that someone other than the priests prepared checks and they signed them. So that no one person could control a disbursement, as alleged in the suit as well.

All the priests I spoke with loved the rules, as it freed them from much of the maintenance work of the parish finances, but allowed them comfort and control over the finances as well.

In all my work, there were a few parishes we wrote up recommendations for improvements and others on how to abide with diocesan rules. But we never uncovered anything that showed a possibility of such massive amounts of theft. We even reviewed the credit card statements of the parish cards to make sure priests weren’t using them for their own benefit (we looked for parish council or office manager review). We also reviewed all pay made to the priests and staff (which went through a diocesan payroll provider).

I simply don’t understand how a large group of parishioners could become convinced of such large theft of funds. Controls at those parishes must be nonexistent. Our priests simply don’t have an opportunity to steal such funds because of the controls.

Additionally, I don’t see how it’s hard to find out if the priest in question actually bought the house in question or not. Real estate records are open to the public. It should take a 5 minute review online to know who owns the property.

 

[whipp711]

First, I have the impression that Michael Voris is Persona non grata in this forum. At little over the top at times and a negative influence. However, like regular news services, I like to listen to all sides of an issue (from Fox to CNN) to find the middle ground and hopefully the truth. Voris is painting a very ugly picture of the situation.

Facts and rumors abound about the Diocese covering up prior issues concerning this Priest. The New York media is going to have a field day with this one. This smacks so similar to the damage control that most Diocese inacted during the child abuse crisis. I hope and pray this is not so.