Man Stole $33K From Mendota Catholic Church: Police

MENDOTA, MN — A New Brighton man is accused of stealing $33,000 from a Catholic Church in Mendota. Christopher Paul Seiple, 48, was charged by summons with four counts of theft by swindle Thursday.

On July 3, 2019, police responded to a report of suspected theft from the church. An audit of the church’s financial records revealed suspicious transactions involving Seiple — then working as director of operations — according to the criminal complaint.

Several checks that were issued to vendors by Seiple were for invoices that had already been paid, according to investigators.

Seiple admitted he issued several checks to vendors on behalf of the church — but had deposited the checks into his own bank account — the complaint states.

He also admitted these checks were unauthorized and fraudulent, according to investigators.

The approximate amount of suspicious checks from Nov. 10, 2018 to May 24, 2019 was over $33,000.

Seiple told investigators that he was behind on his mortgage and had been purchasing up to $400 worth of scratch off tickets a day, according to the criminal complaint.