BRONSON, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Michigan State Police are investigating a Catholic priest suspected of embezzlement from parishes in Branch and Saint Joseph County.

According to a spokesperson from the Kalamazoo Catholic Diocese, the Reverend Richard Fritz, 69, turned in his resignation to Bishop Paul Bradley on Thursday, Oct. 6 after information from an internal audit into the finances of St. Mary’s Assumption in Bronson and St. Barbara in Colon was turned over to Michigan State Police.

The Michigan State Police are investigating embezzlement that stems from several financial transactions from alleged mismanagement of parish funds and inappropriate checks between 2010 and June 2016.

Vicki Cessna, the spokesperson with the Kalamazoo Catholic Diocese, said it is, “A significant amount, into the six figures.”

The Kalamazoo Diocese is investigating several other parishes where Fritz was a pastor, including St. Basil Parish in South Haven and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Brigman.

The suspected activity was reported in the spring of 2016 and in June, 2016 Fritz lost access to the parish funds.

Most Reverend Mark Vyverman will take over duties during the investigation.

Fritz has not been excused from the priesthood nor excommunicated from the church at this time. However, he won’t be living at the rectory.