The former finance director of a Catholic church in Middletown admitted he stole from the church, according to New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.
Joseph Manzi, 78, who lives in Middletown, pleaded guilty May 15 to one count of second-degree theft from the Church of Saint Leo the Great, located in the Lincroft section of Middletown.
Also Friday, Manzi pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree filing a fraudulent tax return.
As per the terms of his guilty plea, the state will ask a judge that Manzi serve five years in a New Jersey state prison. But, the final sentence to be imposed is up to the judge.
He also has to pay $1.2 million in restitution back to St. Leo’s, and pay $73,032 in unpaid taxes to the New Jersey state Treasury.
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