An Episcopal priest who once led a major faith‑based foster care provider has pleaded guilty in federal court to a felony wire fraud charge stemming from a years‑long scheme involving more than 10 million dollars in technology invoices paid by the charity he headed.
The Rev. Robert Nelson “Bobby” Smith, former CEO of Saint Francis Ministries and a priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Chicago, entered a guilty plea on 19 February 2026 in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas to one count of wire fraud. The charge relates to a March 3, 2018 electronic payment of approximately $6,909 to pay off a Saint Francis credit card that Smith had used for personal expenses.
In a written plea agreement and during the court hearing, Smith admitted that he devised a scheme to defraud Saint Francis by using his position as CEO to obtain money and property through false and fraudulent pretenses. The offense carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; sentencing before U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse is scheduled for July 15. Smith remains free pending that hearing, the Hays Post reported.
Smith’s plea resolves part of a broader criminal case brought in November 2022, when a federal grand jury indicted him and New York businessman William Byrd Whymark in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud Saint Francis Ministries, a Salina‑based foster care and social‑services provider affiliated with the Episcopal tradition. Saint Francis holds state contracts to provide foster care, adoption and related services in Kansas and other states.
According to the indictment and public statements by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Smith used his authority as CEO to steer information‑technology work to Whymark’s company, WMK Research Inc., then approved 65 invoices totaling nearly $10.8 million. Prosecutors allege that approximately$4.8 million of those payments were inflated overcharges that diverted money from Saint Francis.
Federal court filings state that WMK billed Saint Francis as if it were providing extensive in‑house IT services, while Whymark in fact hired outside vendors, including firms in India, at substantially lower cost and kept the difference. Prosecutors also allege that Smith used Saint Francis credit cards for personal travel, dining, clothing and other non‑business expenses, and that a separate $50,000 “professional services” invoice from WMK functioned as a payment to Smith in connection with the scheme.
The Christian Post, citing investigative records and internal reviews, reported that Smith also authorized Saint Francis funds for speculative ventures, including significant spending related to a “miracle food” project in El Salvador and an effort to resell Chicago Cubs tickets. In court, Smith acknowledged the accuracy of the government’s summary of his conduct as part of his plea.
Smith was originally charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Under the plea agreement, he admitted guilt to a single wire‑fraud count related to the March 2018 credit card payment, while prosecutors agreed to dismiss the remaining counts at sentencing, though the court may consider the broader conduct when calculating his advisory sentencing range.
Whymark, who was charged with conspiracy, 10 counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to two counts of money laundering involving more than $2 million in proceeds from the scheme, according to wire‑service and local news reports. Each money‑laundering count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Whymark is awaiting sentencing, the Topeka Capital Journal reported.
Saint Francis Ministries, founded as an Episcopal social‑service agency, has said it has cooperated with investigators and has taken steps to strengthen internal controls following Smith’s departure. Smith served as CEO from 2014 until he resigned in 2020 amid internal concerns about financial management and performance under state foster‑care contracts.
Kansas officials and local media had previously scrutinized Saint Francis over missed contractual benchmarks and financial strain during and after Smith’s tenure. The alleged overbilling and misuse of funds occurred while the organization was responsible for services to thousands of children and families under state agreements.
After the federal indictment was announced in 2022, the Diocese of Chicago suspended Smith from “any and all priestly and ministerial duties” and barred him from direct access to church financial accounts. The diocese said at the time that it takes allegations of clergy misconduct seriously and would cooperate with civil authorities while following its own disciplinary canons.
Episcopal News Service has reported that Smith remains under suspension and that church disciplinary proceedings under Title IV, which governs clergy misconduct, are expected to continue in light of his felony plea. Possible canonical outcomes in such cases can include removal from ordained ministry, though no final disciplinary decision has been announced.