A Catholic priest in Erie, Pennsylvania, has been placed on administrative leave after admitting to fabricating the results of a high-profile fundraising raffle held by his parish.

According to CNA, Father Ross Miceli of St. Jude the Apostle Parish confessed to inventing the winner of the church’s 2024 raffle, triggering investigations by the local district attorney and the Diocese of Erie.

In 2024, St. Jude the Apostle Parish launched a nationwide raffle called “Winavette,” aiming to generate funds through the sale of $50 tickets. Participants were promised a chance to win either a Stingray 1LT Corvette or a $50,000 cash prize. The drawing was held on Christmas Day of that year, with the church announcing that a man named Martin Anderson from Detroit had chosen the cash option.

Confession Unravels Legitimacy of the Fundraiser

By July 2025, Father Miceli admitted to Erie County prosecutors that Martin Anderson did not exist. According to affidavits reviewed by the Erie Times-News, he confessed to fabricating the identity of the grand-prize winner due to what he described as a “problem with the raffle system” that resulted in no actual winner being selected.

Miceli further acknowledged that the issue extended beyond the grand prize—he had also invented several other winners connected to the event. These revelations cast a shadow over one of the parish’s most publicized fundraising efforts in recent memory.

He told a parish employee to keep the ruse quiet, assuring the person that the prize money remained untouched in an account. This unnamed employee chose to alert authorities instead, expressing concerns to Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico. That disclosure led both the Diocese and county prosecutors to begin a formal investigation.

Investigation Sparks Swift Action From Diocese

Law enforcement officials have since seized Miceli’s iPhone, iPad, and financial documents related to both the raffle and parish operations. The exact scope of the financial irregularities remains under review by authorities.

Following the confession, Father Miceli resigned from his post at St. Jude the Apostle during the weekend of July 20, 2025, without providing a public explanation. At the time, he was scheduled to begin a new assignment as a sacramental assistant at St. Timothy Parish in Curwensville on August 12, 2025.

On August 14, 2025, the Diocese of Erie publicly confirmed that Miceli had been removed from his duties. The diocese’s statement included a recommendation for St. Jude’s to enlist an independent forensic auditor to examine all financial records tied to the parish and the raffle event.

Parish Vows Transparency and Refunds

The diocese also announced that the Corvette, originally offered as a grand prize, would be returned to the dealer. Parish officials plan to use those funds to reimburse individuals who purchased raffle tickets. How the refund process will be managed has not been finalized.

A Facebook post from the church confirmed that 2024 marked the final year of the “Winavette” raffle. Although popular among supporters, the raffle’s sudden unraveling has left many parishioners and donors uncertain and disappointed.

“We are cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities,” the Diocese told the Erie Times-News. Their public statement reinforced the Church’s commitment to accountability and a thorough financial review moving forward.

Community Distrust Grows Over Raffle Fallout

Father Miceli has not made any further public comments since his confession. The level of financial impact on the parish and other operations is still being evaluated. Prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether he will face criminal charges.

Trust within the faith community has been shaken, especially as raffle participants nationwide are left wondering about the status of their contributions. The event was widely promoted, and ticket sales extended beyond the Pennsylvania region.

Meanwhile, Father John Detisch, a priest in the same diocese, was noted to be coordinating a similar type of raffle at Dubois Central Catholic School. That event has not been publicly linked to the current investigation and appears to be continuing independently.

Lingering Questions About Oversight and Ethics

The Diocese’s prompt decision to suspend Father Miceli and initiate a forensic audit points to a broader concern about oversight within religious fundraising. While many parishes regularly organize raffles and charitable events, this case underlines the risks when financial controls break down.

Although no funds are reported missing at this time, the unauthorized alteration and announcement of winners present serious ethical and possibly legal issues. Stakeholders await the final result of both the church’s audit and potential legal proceedings.

The situation continues to develop, with more details expected to surface as investigators analyze the seized records and determine whether laws were broken. For now, the parish is focused on refunding donors and restoring trust within the community it serves.