FREEHOLD — A former finance official at a Monmouth County Roman Catholic church admitted in court to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the parish to support an extravagant lifestyle, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced.
Joseph A. Manzi, 78, of Atlantic Highlands, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Jill O’Malley in Monmouth County to second-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return.
Authorities said Manzi previously served as the director of finance, operations and development for the Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft. His employment with the church ended on June 26, 2025. Afterward, church staff reviewed credit card statements and uncovered numerous unauthorized expenses tied to Manzi’s personal use.
Investigators determined Manzi improperly used church credit cards for a wide range of personal purchases and payments, including a Cadillac SUV, luxury clothing, home repairs, medical and dental bills, insurance payments, charter fishing trips, fraternal organization dues and tickets to sporting events, including New York Yankees games.
According to state officials, the initial investigation found Manzi had embezzled nearly $674,000. A deeper review later uncovered additional stolen funds as well as tax fraud and tax evasion offenses.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a five-year state prison sentence. The agreement also requires Manzi to pay $1.2 million in restitution to St. Leo and $73,032 in unpaid taxes to the New Jersey State Treasury.
“The defendant admitted in court that he used his position of trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the church,” Davenport said in a statement. “He did so to fund a lavish lifestyle, and he is now facing the consequences of his greed.”
Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton said Manzi “enriched himself with church funds” and will now face sentencing for his actions.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Conner Ouellette. Investigators from the Division of Criminal Justice worked alongside the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and Middletown Township Police Department during the investigation.
