The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has filed charges against the former treasurer, John A. Miller (74), of the Clergy Assurance Fund on charges of wire fraud. Founded in 1769 and known as the Widows’ Corporation until 2019, the Clergy Assurance Fund provided life insurance benefits for the Episcopal clergy in the state of Pennsylvania.
The indictment alleges that Miller used his position of trust to steal more than $1.6 million intended for widows and orphans of deceased clergy. The indictment alleges that from January 2015 through May 2022, the defendant devised a scheme to divert money from the fund to himself by, among other means, presenting false and fraudulent financial information to other fund executives and its outside auditors. The indictment alleges that Miller then used this money to fund personal purchases for himself, including international cruises, vacations to the Caribbean, and a luxury condominium.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years’ imprisonment.
In March 2022, an audit found Miller had made improper credit card charges of more than $20,000. Miller retired as the Fund’s executive director and treasurer rather than be fired.
A forensic audit was then conducted by the accounting firm BBD, which reported on 28 June 2022 that Miller had embezzled approximately $1.4 million through duplicate payments of death benefits to beneficiaries, where Miller would pocket the excess payments. The case was then referred to the FBI, which brought their case to the US Attorney’s office in Philadelphia for prosecution.
If convicted, Miller faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years’ imprisonment.
