Former St. Rita Priest Placed on Paid Admin Leave

By Luis Hernandez
Visalia Times-Delta
January 7, 2015

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/local/2015/01/07/former-st-rita-priest-placed-paid-admin-leave/21423203/

Rev. Ignacio Villafan, 49, is accused of felony grand theft stemming from an investigation of suspected money mismanagement at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Tulare.

Former St. Rita's Catholic Church priest, the Rev. Ignacio Villafan, was placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest last week on embezzlement charges.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno Chancellor Teresa Dominguez said Villafan "has been removed from an active role" in the church.

Villafan, 49, was taken into custody on two counts of felony grand theft after a lengthy investigation into the church's handling of its finances. A $50,000 bail was ordered for Villafan when he was arrested last week. According to Tulare County Sheriff's Department jail records, Villafan is no longer in custody, likely having posted bail. He's scheduled for an arraignment at Tulare County Superior Court on Jan. 22.

Villafan faces a maximum seven-year prison sentence. Previously, Tulare County Assistant District Attorney Anthony Fultz indicated that's an unlikely outcome.

Dominguez said that Fresno diocese Bishop Armando Ochoa is well aware of the impact the news about the suspected embezzlement and Villafan's arrest can have on church members.

"There's concern," she said.

In a released statement, Ochoa said, "We must be good stewards; accountable for the gifts and resources that are faithfully offered to the Church to accomplish the mission of Christ in our midst. My concern and prayerful support for all impacted by this particular situation continues."

Investigation details

According to the DA's Office, $400,000 has been reported missing. The charges levied against Villafan establish a time frame from June 1, 2005 to June 30, 2009 and from July 1, 2009 to Jan. 21, 2012.

Neither the diocese nor the DA's office disclosed how the missing money might have been used. Dominguez referred questions to the DA's office. Fultz said his office preferred to wait until after the case is litigated.

"I am deferring those questions to the district attorney's office," Dominguez said. "They need to manage that flow of information."

The Fresno diocese extends to eight counties, including 89 parishes. Domiguez said the diocese has a parish financial reporting and monitoring system, with a goal to increase increase transparency and guide management practices. All diocese parishes are undergoing a parish internal control assessment.

"We hope this is a rare situation," she said. "If there are any inconsistencies, they would have to be addressed."

St. Rita's, located at Bardsley Avenue and O Street, wants to build a new church on Tulare's southeast, near Alpine Vista School.

"There are a lot of good things going [at St. Rita's]," Dominguez said. "They are a healthy community."

When Villafan was removed from active duty, Rev. Ivan Hernandez took over as administrator, Dominguez said. Villafan was restricted from all administrative functions, continuing to serve only in a pastoral capacity on a limited status, the diocese said.

"He has done a lot of good work," she said.

Dominguez said the church is back to business as usual.

Villafan's background

Before coming to St. Rita's, Villafan, who was ordained on May 15, 1999, was a Parochial Vicar at St. Anne's Church in Porterville starting on June 15, 1999; an administrator at St. John The Evangelist Church in Tipton starting on March 1, 2002 and St. Mary's Church in Cutler starting Jan. 15 2004. Villafan became pastor at St. Rita's Church on June 1, 2005. He was removed from the pastor position on Jan. 22, 2012.

Rev. Ignacio Villafan, 49, is accused of felony grand theft stemming from an investigation of suspected money mismanagement at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Tulare.(Photo: Ron Holman/Tulare Advance-Register)

Dominguez said she encourages those with information about the suspected embezzlement to contact the Tulare Police Department, which initially investigated the case, or the DA's office, which is handing the prosecution.

"They need to be aware of all the information," she said. "It would be their job to investigate the accuracy [of the information]."

St. Rita's Catholic Church dates back to the 1940s. Its church opened in late 1955. St. Rita's was elevated to a parish in 1968.

What's Next

Ignacio Villafan is due back in Tulare County Superior Court on Jan. 22 for an arraignment.

Online

www.dioceseoffresno.org

Contact: lfhernan@visaliatimesdelta.com