Suspect Accused of Leading Double Life with Wife
NBC 4
March 30, 2007
http://www.nbc4.com/news/11456139/detail.html
Louisa, Va. — A Roman Catholic priest charged with embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from two rural churches pleaded not guilty on Friday.
The Rev. Rodney L. Rodis, 50, is charged with 13 counts of embezzlement. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Rodis stood quietly as Louisa County Circuit Judge Timothy Sanner read the first of 13 embezzlement charges against him. Sanner then asked the priest, "What is your plea?" After a long pause, Rodis finally answered, "Not guilty, your honor."
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| Va. Priest Pleads Not Guilty To Embezzlement |
At that, several grim-faced former parishioners of Rodis bowed their heads, one letting out a heavy sigh.
Rodis waived his right to a jury trial and Sanner set trial for Oct. 1.
Sanner also set bond at $25,000. Rodis has been free on $10,000 bond he posted on the initial count of embezzlement. Defense attorney Jack Maus said he expected Rodis would be able to post the $25,000 bond, which encompasses all 13 counts.
A few of the nearly two dozen parishioners who attended the hearing briefly met Rodis's gaze as he shuffled into the courtroom with the help of a cane. The rest looked away.
Outside of court after the arraignment, Rodis just shook his head when asked if he had any comment.
"I like to believe he's not guilty, but we'll see what the trial brings out," said St. Jude parishioner Cesar Rodriguez, who has known Rodis for 13 years. "I'm saddened by the fact that he did this — appalled that he destroyed his name. If he needed the money, he could have just asked."
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond has said Rodis embezzled more than $600,000 from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bumpass and St. Jude Church in Mineral. Rodis was pastor of the churches from 1993 until his retirement last May.
Authorities alleged Rodis opened an account in a church's name at a bank in Fredericksburg, deposited donations in the account and then diverted them for personal use.
Court records show that police seized bank records and other items from Rodis' home, including a receipt for Lucky Money dated May 24, 2006. Lucky Money Inc. is a service for wiring money to the Philippines, Rodis' home country.
The diocese said it became aware of financial irregularities in the fall when a donor to Immaculate Conception requested verification of a $1,000 contribution for tax purposes and the parish could not find a record of the donation.
The investigation of Rodis also uncovered court records listing Rodis and Joyce Sillador-Rodis as husband and wife on a deed of trust for a mortgage on a house they shared with three children in Spotsylvania County.
Rodis has denied being married to the woman, although neighbors say he has referred to her as his wife for the past decade.
Previous Stories:
• March 12, 2007: Counts Against Priest Accused Of Embezzlement
• February 26, 2007: Lawyer: Priest Suspected Of Embezzlement Could Plead Guilty
• January 18, 2007: Priest Charged In Embezzlement Scheme Appears In Court
• January 17, 2007: Priest Accused Of Leading Double Life, Embezzlement
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