LA's Fake Priest Performed Wedding, Police Allege

A man who allegedly impersonated a Roman Catholic priest and swindled thousands of dollars from parishioners at two Los Angeles- area churches appeared in court today to face 30 criminal charges, including grand theft, but his arraignment was postponed.

Erwin Mena, 59, is charged with 19 felony counts of grand theft, eight misdemeanor counts of petty theft and one felony count each of perjury, procuring and filing false documents and practicing medicine without a license, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Mena’s arraignment was postponed until Feb. 24. His bail was affirmed at $100,000.

Mena is accused of passing himself off as a priest dating back to October 2014 at a pair of Catholic churches in Los Angeles, where he performed Mass, confessions and a wedding.

He allegedly swindled parishioners at Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Glassell Park and Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Highland Park by selling tickets for a pilgrimage to see Pope Francis during his visit to the United States last summer. The arrangements were never made and the trip never took place, prosecutors said.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles contacted the Los Angeles Police Department June 4 to report that its parishioners had allegedly been defrauded by Mena, police said.

Mena was charged Jan. 20 and arrested Tuesday in Elysian Park in connection with a felony warrant.

Alleged losses are estimated at $50,000, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

If convicted as charged, he could face up to 21 years behind bars.

City News Service