Authorities allege Rodis opened an account in his name at Virginia Heartlands Bank in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He deposited donations in this unknown account and then diverted them for personal use. Court documents also show that bank records seized from his home include a receipt for a service for wiring money to the Philippines. Mr. Scoggin, a member of the rural parish in Louisa County with 110 households, commented that Father Rodis, often deposited multiple checks twice a day at the bank. He was observed in his clerical garb when he made these transactions and drove a vehicle with license tags that read, “Fr. Rodney.”
It all comes down to trust. The parishioners had no reason not to trust Father Rodis–he was well liked by many. It is well established that both Bishop Emeritus Walter F. Sullivan, who originally assigned the priest to the two parishes, and Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo, who retained him in that position, trusted him. After the disclosure of this news, most church members of both parishes spoke to the press and conveyed the feeling of general disappointment and feeling very “duped” by him. Nobody appears to have suspected that he was capable of this.
The diocese fully cooperated with the authorities and delayed notifying the parishes of the embezzlement and worked quietly with the Louisa County Commonwealth Attorney because Father Rodis was not a U.S. citizen. They could not risk the likelihood of him fleeing to the Philippines if he knew he was under suspicion and may never get him extradited back to indict him.
As Father Rodis prepared to retire citing poor health, he would advise parishioners that he would have no money from the diocese and he asked people to be generous in a fundraiser for him. The two parishes held a retirement fundraising for him and reportedly raised $27,000. Mrs. Siewert, who chaired the building committee when the new church was built, stated to a reporter, “I never knew anybody who didn’t like him.” She goes on to add, “I never heard anybody criticize him.”
Father Rodis reportedly sent an email message to at least 100 households on January 18, 2007 asking for their prayers. The text of the message read: “I am sure that at this time you are aware of what has been going on. This is to express my heartfelt apology for the trouble this might have caused you. Whatever the Church may decide regarding my case, I will fully accept the consequences. Please include me in your prayers. Rodney Rodis”
The parishes have now instituted new safeguards to protect contributions from embezzlement by anyone. One such protection will be to place donations and church collections in tamper-proof bags; the current safe will be replaced and will require two keys to open it; the number of people counting Sunday collections will be three; and deposits will be made immediately.
As for Father Rodis, he is required to return to court on February 26, 2007 and is ordered by Judge Timothy Sanner to indicate if he has retained his own defense attorney. Otherwise, he will be appointed a public defender.
MY BRIEF COMMENTS: It is clear that Father Rodis may not have retained a criminal defense attorney on or before his January 18, 2007 court hearing but an astute and effective criminal defense lawyer would have strongly advised him against sending such an email highlighted above. Clearly, the prosecutors can use this document as an act of his “consciousness of guilt” and/or his admission to the crime charged. Lesson to be learned, HIRE A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY ASAP!