Sharing some “difficult news” with donors in an email on Dec. 16, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee says investigators uncovered roughly $1.7 million in fraud.
Recently unsealed search warrants, obtained by 12 News Investigates, say Catholic Charities’ former finance director was “… stealing money from the nonprofit by fabricating ‘vendors’ and paying them with official checks.”
Police were notified of the alleged theft in May, the search warrants state. Then, investigators estimated the loss was more than $800,000. After months of investigating it is estimated to be roughly $1.7 million, according to the charity.
“The final amounts involved in this fraud will be known after law enforcement’s investigation,” said Very Rev. David H. Reith in an email to donors. “For fiscal years 2023 and 2024, when it appears the fraud was most active, anticipated losses are approximately $1.7 million.”
The theft dates back to 2016, according to the search warrants. It involved seven people in total, including employees and former employees. Catholic Charities says it fired those who were employed at the time.
Continue reading at ABC News