The refund process for the botched and bogus car raffle at St. Jude parish is now complete.
Erie News Now has been following the saga for more than a year, after parish Priest the Reverend Ross Miceli was accused of taking parishioners money in for a chance at winning a car or cash, then making up the name of a fictitious winner.
After an independent accounting review, the Diocese of Erie and St. Jude parish released the refund numbers.
They say some 700 individuals submitted refund requests, and 644 were issued totaling $114,488. The largest single refund was $9,000.
The refund request period was open for about a month, with a few late submission accommodated.
According to the news release from the diocese, a few refunds issued through the postal service had delivery issues. Anyone still looking for a refund is asked to wait until May 1 before contacting the parish office.
Father Miceli remains on leave, as the Erie County District Attorney’s office, along with the IRS continue to investigate the incident.