Investigation into Alleged Misconduct by Catholic Priest

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office is looking into claims against Catholic priests who are said to have mismanaged church fundraising efforts, including luxury vehicles.

Father Ross Micheli from St. Jude of Pennsylvania’s Apostle Church faces accusations regarding the announcement of a fictitious winner for the church’s annual Corvette fundraiser. Reports indicate that Martin Anderson, a resident of Detroit, Michigan, was declared the recipient of the 2024 Christmas Day Grand Prize. Allegations suggest that Anderson admitted that the grand prize was never actually awarded, as referenced in an affidavit from Lowry Mikielski’s office in Mill Creek Township.

During the investigation, search warrants executed at the church office revealed several high-end items reportedly owned by Father Micheli, including a new Tesla. Although no formal charges have been made yet, investigations continue concerning alleged theft and manipulation of a public contest, as reported.

Additionally, according to a report, the church valued the $82,000 orange convertible stingray 1LT displayed in the parish’s yard. The raffles were conducted online and offered tickets to residents across the U.S., aiming to sell 9,999 tickets to raise nearly $500,000.

Winners had the option to choose either a car or $50,000. Ticket numbers were assigned randomly by computer and had to correspond with the winning numbers from that night’s Pick 4 Pennsylvania lottery drawing.

Father Micheli reportedly expressed to church staff that due to complications with the raffle, they needed to supplement the winner’s name and that there was no actual winner assigned to the ticket number. An employee subsequently reported this to Bishop Lawrence T. Persico. Moreover, it’s alleged that Father Micheli facilitated the fabrication of some winners from the church’s “12 Days of Christmas” prize event.

In a 2020 Facebook post, it was announced that Father Micheli would be leaving St. Jude of the Apostle Church and would take up a role as a sacrament assistant at two other parishes starting in July.

The parish in Erie is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.