The former executive director and treasurer of the Clergy Assurance Fund has pleaded guilty to charges related to the misappropriation of more than $1.6 million from the Philadelphia nonprofit, which assists the widows and orphans of Episcopal clergy.
Clergy Assurance Fund’s former executive director John Miller / Photo via Episcopal News Service
According to a March 3 press release from U.S. Attorney David Metcalf of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John A. Miller, 76, pleaded guilty to “one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction involving criminally derived property.” The plea agreement requires Miller to pay more than $1.6 million in restitution and surrender about $280,000 in laundered proceeds from the sale of a condominium.
The report also noted that Miller faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, to be determined at his June 22 sentencing.
“From 2015 through 2022, he diverted money to himself by masking wires intended for beneficiaries with personal checks issued to himself,” the report said. “To conceal the payments, Miller made false and misleading records in the nonprofit’s internal accounting ledgers. In total, Miller misappropriated more than $1.6 million.”
Miller also allegedly stole more than $20,000 through unauthorized church credit card expenditures.
Federal prosecutors say Miller used the money for personal expenses such as “luxury travel” and a “luxury condominium,” and that he sold the condominium to liquidate the assets after he learned he was being investigated. However, law enforcement seized the proceeds during the sale.
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Miller’s fraudulent activities first came to light during the Clergy Assurance Fund’s annual audit. A more extensive forensic financial review by an outside accounting firm confirmed Miller’s use of duplicate checks, leading to Miller’s resignation from the organization, where he had worked since 2001.
Episcopal leadership responded with assurances that the Clergy Assurance Fund, formerly known as The Widows Corporation, remained financially sound and there was no negative impact on individuals seeking support. The fund’s insurance policy covers employee theft, and a 2025 independent audit of the fund by BBD Certified Public Accountants showed total assets of $77.8 million.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Why does MinistryWatch report on financial fraud in the church? We report on them because one in three churches will be victimized, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. We also report on them because these crimes have real victims and cost taxpayers and other stakeholders billions of dollars every year. Even small crimes in small churches have huge consequences. We also report on them to remind our readers that they do not have to be victims. There are steps you can take to prevent financial waste, fraud, and abuse in your church or ministry. To find out more, click here.