A Navarro County Texas grand jury has indicted the Rev. Canon Edward Monk SSC, rector of St John’s Episcopal Church in Corsicana, on three counts of theft. On 19 Dec 2024 the grand jury handed down complaints of Theft over $300K, Fraud in the 3rd Degree, and Credit Card abuse the NavCo Chronicle reported.
“This investigation has been extensive, and although the suspect has been indicted, we are still in the process of gathering additional evidence through a joint effort led by the Corsicana Police Department, the Navarro County District Attorney’s office, and the Texas Office of the Attorney General,” Corsicana Police Chief Robert Johnson said in a statement to the media.
Last month Canon Monk was charged with six counts of fraud and mismanagement under Title IV of the Episcopal Church’s disciplinary canons. The complaint released on 11 Nov 2024 by the Diocese of Dallas alleged the St John’s rector failed to “safeguard the property and funds of the Church and Community”; committed a “criminal act that reflects adversely on the Member of the Clergy’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a minister of the church”; and engaged in “conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.”
Canon Monk was placed on administrative leave by the diocese oon 5 Aug 2024, and resigned as chairman of the board of trustees of Nashota House shortly thereafter. He subsequently stepped down as vice-chairman of the county board of appraisers.
Canon Monk issued a statement denying the allegations of misconduct in the Title IV proceedings last month. He was arrested on criminal charges on 21 Dec 2024.
The case continues.
