Parish church's finance director alleged to have stolen $1.5 million

The finance director of a parish church in New Jersey stands accused of having stolen more than $1.5 million.

The hierarchy of St Leo the Great Church is alleging that Joseph Manzi, the parish's former finance director, took the funds over a period of several years.

The parish's 8 August filing stated that “Manzi utilised St Leo’s business credit card accounts to pay for tickets to sporting events; personal vehicles; construction projects on his personal home; landscaping; gift cards; expenses related to his daughter’s wedding; his own personal taxes; meals and cigars; among other things.”