Church court determines pastor stole $300,000 in church money, has to pay back additional $26,000

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Diocese of Jefferson City has concluded a church trial involving stolen funds by a former pastor.

A church court on April 6 determined the Rev. Ignazio Medina transferred $300,000 in church money to personal accounts while he was pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Wardsville. He was the pastor there from 2012-21.

A press release stated Medina, who no longer holds any office in the diocese, has made full restitution of the missing funds. The church court also issued a $26,000 penalty to reimburse the dioceses for audit and legal expenses, according to a press release. He did not appeal the decision.

The judges also found about $20,000 in unexplained cash withdrawals made from parish funds under Medina’s leadership.

An FBI investigation began in 2022.

The church said Medina had written a check to himself for $200,000 and one to an out-of-state sibling for $100,000 from the account. Church leaders alerted law enforcement, leading to an FBI investigation.