There are shocking allegations in Monmouth County where a church leader is accused of stealing more than $1.5 million from the parish that employed him.

Joseph Manzi is alleged to have used the funds meant for The Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft on such personal items as cigars to weddings over a period of at least six years.

An explosive civil suit filed on Aug. 8 accuses the 78-year-old former chief operating officer of treating himself to all sorts of luxury items, all at the expense of the parishioners.

Manzi’s LinkedIn page still lists him as the chief operating officer of Saint Leo the Great, even though he was fired earlier this summer.

The allegations in the civil suit filed by attorneys representing the Diocese of Trenton claim, “Manzi systematically, secretly, and dishonestly utilized parish funds for his own personal benefit,” using the church’s business credit card accounts for sports tickets, luxury cars, home construction, wedding expenses, taxes and even cigars.

The suit alleges Manzi misused at least $1.6 million in total.

The Diocese of Trenton confirmed with News 12 that there is a basis for these concerns and that the allegations have been passed to local and state law enforcement agencies.

According to the lawsuit, Manzi began working at the church back in 2014. Financial records indicated problems dating back to 2019 through the time the church fired him in June of this year.

The lawsuit also wants the court to impose a constructive trust over Manzi’s Atlantic Highlands home and property, claiming that stolen money was used on renovations.

News 12 has reached out to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Middletown Police Department for further comment.

The civil suit is requesting a jury to hear the evidence listed in the complaint.