(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — A former business manager for two Roman Catholic parishes in Erie County has admitted to stealing more than $82,000, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that Keith M. Call, 63, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Grand Island, pleaded guilty before Kenneth F. Case to two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, Class E felonies.
Photo By Erie County DA’s Office
Prosecutors said Call stole a total of $82,451.90 while serving as a business manager for two parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.
Between May 23, 2024, and August 13, 2025, Call admitted to stealing $23,408.63 from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Swormville. Authorities said he made unauthorized purchases, diverted cash from multiple fundraisers, and opened a gas credit card to buy fuel without permission.
In a separate scheme between May 16, 2025, and August 20, 2025, Call stole $59,043.27 from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church. Prosecutors said he issued fraudulent checks payable to himself, claiming they were for work-related expenses. The theft was discovered during an audit following his resignation in August 2025.
As part of his plea agreement, Call has paid full restitution totaling $82,451.90 to both parishes.
He faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison when he returns to court for sentencing on May 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Call was released on his own recognizance pending sentencing.
District Attorney Keane credited Confidential Criminal Investigators Robert Bebak and Natalie Perez for their work on the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.
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