MICHIGAN
National Catholic Reporter
Dan Morris-Young | Jul. 11, 2017
A continuing audit of financial records of St. Martha Parish in Okemos, Michigan, has increased the amount potentially embezzled from parish funds from $1.8 million to nearly $5 million it was revealed at a July 7 hearing at Ingham County District Court in Mason, Michigan.
The founding pastor, Fr. Jonathan Wehrle, 66, was arrested and charged with embezzlement on the 39th anniversary of his ordination in May, reported the Lansing State Journal.
Wehrle was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond, and was placed on administrative leave by the Lansing Diocese May 9, according to a statement by the diocese.
The missing funds were detected during a routine diocesan audit of the parish.
Auditors earlier reportedly had said they believed more than $1.8 million of parish funds were invested in the pastor’s personal residence in Williamston, a bedroom community known for its antique and specialty stores.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.