By Erie365NewsWriter 
The Erie County District Attorney is looking into serious allegations against Father Ross Miceli of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Millcreek Township. The focus of the Erie Corvette raffle investigation is whether the annual Corvette fundraiser was manipulated, leaving parishioners and donors feeling misled.
The church’s popular fundraiser sold raffle tickets for $50 each, with several smaller prizes and a grand prize of either a new Corvette or $50,000 in cash. Suspicion grew when Father Miceli announced that the grand prize winner was “Martin Anderson” from Detroit, Michigan, on Christmas Day 2024 — a person who authorities now believe does not exist.
Affidavit Reveals Alleged Misconduct
An affidavit from Millcreek Justice Laurie Mikielski’s office states that Father Miceli later admitted the grand prize was never awarded. He also allegedly confessed to giving smaller prizes to select parishioners and friends. This revelation has raised questions about the fairness of past church raffles and how funds from the community were handled.
Authorities executed a search warrant at the church office and rectory in February. The search turned up high-end electronics, a Tesla, designer sneakers, Disney collectibles, and luxury resort and casino membership cards — all reportedly belonging to Father Miceli. Investigators are working to determine whether these items were purchased using raffle proceeds or other church funds.
No Charges Filed Yet
Although the affidavit points to potential charges such as theft by unlawful taking and rigging a publicly exhibited contest, no official charges have been filed. Both Father Miceli and staff at St. Jude’s have declined to comment on the case.
The Diocese of Erie has stated it contacted authorities immediately and is fully cooperating with the ongoing Erie Corvette raffle investigation. For many parishioners, the incident has caused confusion and concern over how their contributions were handled, as the church has a long history of community trust.
Uncertain Outcome
As of now, the case remains under review by prosecutors. The community awaits further developments, unsure of whether the incident will result in criminal charges or restitution for donors. Until then, the questions surrounding the missing Corvette prize and alleged misuse of funds remain unanswered.
The investigation’s results could have lasting effects on how charitable fundraisers are conducted in the area, especially when trust and transparency are called into question.