UPDATED::Records: Priest admitted in 2007 to using parish checks for home construction

UPDATE::  Michigan priest's embezzlement trial delayed until 2019

An embezzlement trial for a Roman Catholic priest is being delayed because he's getting new lawyers after police say they discovered $63,000 hidden above ceiling tiles in his Michigan home.
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Wehrle's defense attorney said shortly after the discovery that he was withdrawing from the case. The Lansing State Journal reports Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk has rescheduled this month's planned trial to January to give new legal counsel time to prepare.

UPDATE::  $63G found in ceiling at home of priest charged with embezzling millions, police say

Authorities seized the cash after the Roman Catholic priest was accused of embezzling millions from a local parish to fund the construction of his luxurious mansion, police said.

The search was conducted at the Rev. Jonathan Wehrle's million-dollar home in Williamston — about 19 miles east of Lansing, the Lansing State Journal reported.

Michigan State Police said they found $63,392 stashed in the basement ceiling. The bulk of cash was in $2,000 bundles of $20 bills and wrapped in bands that said, “For Deposit Only-St. Martha Parish and School.”

UPDATE:: How $42K-a-year priest built mansion worth millions

The Rev. Jon Wehrle, who is proud of his prowess as a builder, constructed his masterpiece on the rural outskirts of this central Michigan town.

The two-story, stone-façade house has eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a library, wine cellar, indoor swimming pool and wood-paneled elevator. The 11,300-square-foot home boasts granite counter tops, limestone fireplaces, walnut hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers and stained-glass windows.

Wehrle, 67, who was pastor of St. Martha Church in Okemos, lived in the mansion, which a contractor said was worth $3 million to $4 million.

How could a Catholic priest who earned $42,000 a year afford such opulence?

Police officials argue the clergyman had stolen from the Sunday collection plate for at least 19 years. An audit found $5 million missing from church coffers, they said.

UPDATE::  Priest accused of embezzlement seeks $800K seized by police

The attorney for a Michigan priest accused of bilking a Catholic church that’s missing millions of dollars asked a judge Friday to authorize the release of $800,000 seized by police to his client.
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Prosecutors filed an application in June for a lien against an 11,000-square-foot home the priest owns that’s worth more than $1 million and sits on 10 acres. Wehrle’s lawyer, Lawrence Nolan, has said money from Wehrle’s family could have paid for it.

The lien application states that Wehrle had “sole access” to St. Martha Parish’s finances and offerings, “with no oversight within the parish” and lists 10 residences Wehrle owns or has owned since 1988 in several Michigan communities and in Florida.

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Police and prosecutors have alleged Wehrle used money from St. Martha Parish to pay for work and materials at his Williamston home. At a hearing last week, Assistant Ingham County Prosecutor Andrew Stevens said an ongoing audit estimates about $5 million is missing from the parish.

Wehrle's attorney argues there was an understanding between Wehrle and the Diocese of Lansing regarding use of parish funds.

Wehrle was placed on administrative leave from St. Martha Parish in May and charged days later with embezzlement of $100,000 or more. 

Copies of the transcript were filed amid hundreds of pages of information in a 2007 civil lawsuit between Wehrle and contractors involved in the the construction of the priest's home in Williamston.

The transcript and other documentation hint at Wehrle's family investments, his history of home construction and his opulent plans for his Noble Road home.

Records: Priest admitted in 2007 to using parish checks for home construction