Judge Gives Former Priest Five Years in Prison for Embezzlement
By Ellen Biltz
The Free Lance-Star
February 22, 2008
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/022008/02222008/358481
The former Catholic priest who embezzled money from two Louisa County churches will spend five years in prison.
Despite recommendations for less time from Rodney Rodis' defense attorney, as well as from federal prosecutors, Judge Richard L. Williams sentenced the 51-year-old to 63 months in prison, with credit for time served.
He was also ordered to pay about $590,000 to the Catholic diocese of Virginia.
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| The Rev. Rodney Rodis was ordered to pay almost $600,000 in restitution to the Catholic diocese. |
Rodis pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud and money laundering in a plea agreement last October.
His charges followed a scam in which he stole money from Immaculate Conception and St. Jude churches over a four-year period and wired it to family in the Philippines.
Williams told Rodis the reason he was sentencing on the high end of the guidelines was because the breach of trust was so great, both to the Catholic Church as well as his parishioners.
"You did this from 2002 to 2006 and there was never a ding in your conscience," he said.
Just before his sentencing, Rodis asked the judge for forgiveness. He then turned to the many parishioners sitting in the courtroom.
"I'm really sorry for what I have done. I know what I did was wrong," he said to them.
Rodis told the judge to "please be lenient" because he wanted to spend time with his wife and children, who are expected to be living in New Mexico.
Rodis, who was married two years after he became a priest, in violation of church policy, said he was "leading a double life and wanted that to end."
He also pleaded that the judge consider his many medical conditions, including pancreatic cancer.
Williams told Rodis that his lack of assistance to the government in recovering stolen money was a sign that he should be given a high sentence, because he had made no effort to right his wrongs.
As part of Rodis' plea agreement in October, he was to sell properties he owned in the Philippines. Many of the properties had been bought with money embezzled from the churches, but federal prosecutors argued yesterday that Rodis has not been forthcoming with those properties.
According to testimony in court, he had turned eight of the properties, including a beach house, over to the government last week.
But prosecutor Brian Whisler said that was just a show for the sentencing hearing and doesn't begin to even put a dent in the property and money he owes to the churches.
An attorney for the Catholic diocese, William Etherington, said he could not say whether a civil suit could be considered yet, because they are still waiting for restitution to be paid.
"The diocese's view is that he took in excess of $515,000," Etherington said. "But I don't think anyone can tell you exactly how much.
After Rodis' sentencing, the bank manager for the two churches said the parishioners were pleased that the judge chose to lean toward the high side of the sentencing guidelines.
"Thrilled actually," Patti Smoger said.
She added that she felt most of them would be able to forgive Rodis for what he did.
"I think he's had a lot of time to think about it," she said. "I think he wants to be forgiven."
Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424 or ebiltz@freelancestar.com
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