Pennsylvania Pastor Under Investigation for Rigging Church Corvette Raffle

Rev. Ross R. Miceli, pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, is under criminal investigation for allegedly rigging the church's 2024 raffle, which offered a 2024 Chevy Corvette Stingray 1LT or $50,000 as the grand prize. Miceli admitted to fabricating the grand prize winner's name, Martin Anderson of Detroit, who was announced as the winner but did not exist. He also reportedly falsified the names of winners for secondary $500 prizes, selecting family friends and favored parishioners. Investigators are examining Miceli's gambling habits and financial transactions, including moving raffle funds to another church-controlled account and payments on American Express credit card bills exceeding $300,000. Miceli had sole control over the parish's finances and was confronted by Bishop Lawrence Persico after a whistleblower raised concerns, leading to the ongoing investigation by the Erie County District Attorney's Office. While Miceli has not been charged yet, he will be transferred out of his parish amid the probe.