Former Church Business Manager Admits to $82K Theft

Keith M. stole from two Upstate New York Catholic parishes over several years.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:05am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged church donation box, with the harsh lighting and stark black background creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic.A broken church donation box symbolizes the violation of trust when funds are stolen from a place of worship.NYC Today

A former business manager for two Catholic parishes in Upstate New York has admitted in court to stealing more than $82,000 from the churches where he worked over a period of several years.

Why it matters

The theft of funds from religious institutions can undermine public trust and financial stability, especially for smaller parishes that rely on donations. This case highlights the importance of strong financial controls and oversight for non-profit organizations.

The details

Keith M. pleaded guilty to grand larceny charges on Tuesday after an investigation found he had been embezzling money from the two parishes where he worked as the business manager. Authorities said he stole the funds over a multi-year period by writing unauthorized checks to himself and making unauthorized charges on the church's credit cards.

  • Keith M. worked as the business manager for the two Upstate New York Catholic parishes from 2018 to 2025.
  • The theft was discovered and reported to authorities in early 2026.

The players

Keith M.

A former business manager for two Upstate New York Catholic parishes who admitted to stealing over $82,000 from the churches over several years.

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What they’re saying

“We are deeply saddened by this betrayal of trust. As a church community, we will work to ensure this never happens again.”

— Father Joseph Donovan, Pastor, St. Mary's Catholic Church

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of robust financial oversight and controls for non-profit organizations, especially those that rely heavily on donations from the community. It serves as a cautionary tale about the damage that can be done when trusted individuals abuse their positions of authority.