Catholic Priest Rodney Rodis sentenced to 63 months in prison

[Ian David]

Black Collar Crime

Rodis gets 63 months in prison
Rodney Rodis to be sentenced today in federal court
BY ELLEN BILTZ
Date published: 2/21/2008
BY ELLEN BILTZ

The former Catholic priest who pleaded guilty last year to embezzling from two Louisa County churches should serve more than four years in federal prison, federal prosecutors say.

At Rodney Rodis' sentencing today in federal court in Richmond, prosecutors are expected to recommend 51 months, according to papers filed in court.

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Rodis, 51, pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud and money laundering in a plea agreement last October.

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Not only was he convicted of embezzling from their churches, but he was also married, in violation of the Catholic church.



Former Catholic priest Rodney Rodis will be sentenced in federal court in Richmond today.
FILE/DAVE ELLIS/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

More:
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/022008/02212008/357848


UPDATE: A judge sentenced Rodis to 63 months in prison this morning. The sentence exceeded what prosecutors recommended, the judge said, because the crime was such an extreme breach of trust.

Rodis addressed his parishioners during the hearing.

"I'm really sorry for what I've done," he said. "I know what I did is wrong. I hurt both parishes, and I hope one day you can forgive me."

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Beside the prison sentence, Rodis was also ordered to make restitution the Catholic Diocese of Virginia in the amount of $591,484.08.
- Reported by Ellen Biltz, The Free Lance-Star
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/022008/02212008/357848