NBC 12
October 26, 2007
http://www.nbc12.com/news/state/10814956.html
A plea hearing is set today for a Roman Catholic priest accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from two Louisa County churches.
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The reverend Rodney Rodis is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Richmond this afternoon. He previously had pleaded not guilty and was scheduled for a bench trial this week.
Rodis was charged with eight counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering. Twelve of the counts are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, one by up to 10 years.
Federal prosecutors say Rodis embezzled money from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bumpass and Saint Jude Church in Mineral from 2002 until last year. He allegedly wired at least $515,000 to his native Philippines.
Meanwhile. Craig Allen Ferguson will remain behind bars until at least December.
Ferguson, a former Richmond city employee and volunteer member of Goochland fire and rescue, is accused of raping a 15 year old girl.
Yesterday in court, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Now he will stand before a grand jury on Dec. 11. Ferguson will be held without bond until then.
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