We have new information tonight into the Okemos priest who is accused of embezzling thousands and thousands of dollars from his church. FOX 47's Clayton Cummins has the details on what exactly led to the charges.
Jonathan Wehrle, Reverend of St. Martha Parish has been charged with embezzlement over $100,000 but we have learned 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. The initial audit raised red flags regarding how money was handled and recorded. The archdiocese contacted police and hired auditing firm Plante Moran to conduct a full financial audit.
Investigators seized more than 40 boxes of financial documents that are still being examined. According to court documents, Wehrle lives in a 1.5 million dollar home in Williamston.
Wehrle founded St. Martha Parish in 1988. According to the diocese, he had planned to retire on June 28. He is scheduled to be back in court on June 1. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
