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	Priest Accused of Leading Double Life, Embezzlement Authorities Say Rodis May Have Stolen $1 Million NBC 4 [Virginia] January 17, 2007 http://www.nbc4.com/news/10777508/detail.html Louisa County, Va. -- Authorities said a Virginia priest who lived a double life may also have embezzled more than $1 million from two Louisa County churches. Police said they have recently been flooded with reports from people who donated money to Rev. Rodney Rodis' church, saying he stole large amounts of cash. Shocked parishioners at the two churches said it was not unusual for the priest to handle large amounts of money. "I was standing in the vestibule, speaking to Father Rodney about something and one of the visiting visitors handed him a check for $10,000 for the building of the church," said one church member. According to court documents, that check and hundreds more may have ended up in Virginia Heartland Bank in a hidden personal account set up by Rodis. Authorities said Rodis kept a family with a wife and three daughters in Fredericksburg while also living as a priest. Neighbors said at least one child was baptized in a local catholic church and the family sent out Christmas cards signed Rodney, Joyce and the girls. Police said Rodis' plans started to unravel when a parishioner wanted a receipt for a donation and church officials discovered an unknown account. "It was just a month ago police raided Father Rodney's home, seizing a computer, bank records receipts and a church donor list," said an unidentified officer. Court records also show police confiscated a receipt for Lucky Money Incorporated, a company that wires money back to the Philippines, Rodis' native country. Another neighbor said she still can't believe Rodis lived a double life. "A neighbor told us he ran an import shop ... He wanted to go back to the Philippines and run for president," the neighbor said. Rodis resigned from his churches in May, citing health reasons. He was indicted on an embezzlement charge on Jan. 8. Rodis told a Richmond newspaper that he was never married. He is set to appear in Louisa County court on Thursday. The Diocese of Richmond has suspended Rodis from his priestly duties.
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