UPDATE: Okemos priest Jonathan Wehrle is heading to trial on embezzlement charges. Judge Donald Allen bound Wehrle over to circuit court on 6 counts of embezzlement over $100,000. His arraignment is scheduled for November 29th.
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The Okemos priest accused of embezzlement is in court Friday for a preliminary examination. His attorney is asking for an adjournment for the fourth time. Prosecutors want the judge to deny the adjournment - which Judge Donald L. Allen denied.
Jonathan Wehrle, Reverend of St. Martha Parish, was charged with embezzlement over $100,000 and the accusations date back to 2012 and include millions of dollars.
Investigators say Wehrle was writing parish checks for personal expenses. Checks totaling more than $1.85 million were used for building his personal residence. The audit showed more than $140 thousand in parish funds spent for his home last year alone.
The investigation came after a routine financial audit by the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.
