Investigation Launched Against Pennsylvania Cleric Suspected of Manipulating Raffle Games for Potential Illegal Gambling Activity
In Erie, Pennsylvania, Father Ross Miceli, the pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, is currently under criminal investigation for allegedly rigging a church raffle and engaging in extravagant spending. The investigation, which began in 2025, has uncovered potential issues with the raffle's prize, misuse of funds, and lavish personal spending, including luxury purchases.
The church raffle, held in December 2024, offered a Chevy Corvette Stingray 1LT or $50,000 in cash as the grand prize. Father Miceli, who was the sole person in charge of the parish's finances during this time, admitted to falsifying the raffle winner publicly and moving funds from the raffle account to another church account.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office began investigating Father Miceli after a whistleblower at St. Jude the Apostle Church contacted Bishop Lawrence T. Persico with concerns. The investigation has since expanded to review Father Miceli's gambling activities and financial transactions on church credit cards totaling over $300,000 from January 2024 to March 2025.
Investigators are examining transactions the church made to pay American Express credit card bills during this period. Detectives are also investigating Miceli's acquisition of a new Tesla, expensive electronics, high-end footwear, designer clothes, and Disney collectibles.
As the investigation continues, the Catholic Diocese of Erie is cooperating fully with law enforcement. The diocese has recommended an independent forensic audit of parish finances to address any potential misuse of funds.
Martin Anderson, a resident of Detroit, was named as the winner of the raffle on the church's Facebook page. However, it has been reported that Anderson opted to take the cash option instead of the sports car. The raffle proceeds and assets from the fundraiser are being addressed, including selling the Corvette back to the dealer and attempting to refund ticket buyers.
Father Miceli resigned from the parish in July 2025 and was reassigned before being placed on leave. He will be transferred out of the parish on August 12 to assist priests in other parishes. At this time, Father Miceli has not been charged with any crime.
The Catholic Diocese of Erie cannot provide further information as the investigation is ongoing. Erie County District Attorney Beth Hirz confirmed the criminal investigation, though details remain restricted due to its ongoing nature. The case includes allegations of fabricated raffle winners, misuse of funds, lavish personal spending, and potential gambling-related issues related to Father Miceli's conduct from 2024 through 2025.
[1] Erie Times-News. (2025, August 5). Catholic priest under criminal investigation for allegedly fixing church raffle. Retrieved from https://www.goerie.com/story/news/2025/08/05/catholic-priest-under-criminal-investigation-allegedly-fixing-church-raffle/37752581007/
[2] WJET. (2025, August 5). Catholic priest under criminal investigation for allegedly fixing church raffle. Retrieved from https://www.wjet.com/2025/08/05/catholic-priest-under-criminal-investigation-for-allegedly-fixing-church-raffle/
[3] WICU. (2025, August 5). Catholic priest under criminal investigation for allegedly fixing church raffle. Retrieved from https://www.wicu12.com/2025/08/05/catholic-priest-under-criminal-investigation-for-allegedly-fixing-church-raffle/
[4] WSEE. (2025, August 5). Catholic priest under criminal investigation for allegedly fixing church raffle. Retrieved from https://www.wsee.com/2025/08/05/catholic-priest-under-criminal-investigation-for-allegedly-fixing-church-raffle/
[5] Erie Catholic Diocese. (2025, August 5). Statement regarding Father Ross Miceli. Retrieved from https://www.eriediocese.org/statement-regarding-father-ross-miceli/
