Ex-Short Hills Priest May Have Taken $250K From Church 'Grandmas', Report Alleges

Authorities have reportedly launched a criminal investigation into a New Jersey clergyman’s alleged acceptance of more than $250,000 in lavish gifts from his wealthy parishioners.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a series of gifts given to the Rev. Alex Orozco, a former priest that joined the St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church in Short Hills in 2012, NJ.com reported.

Orozco allegedly told multiple elderly parishioners that they were like his “grandmas,” and solicited cash and goods after giving them hard-luck stories about his alleged financial problems, NJ.com stated.

In an interview, Orozco allegedly acknowledged that he accepted large sums of money and other items but didn’t ask for them in most cases, NJ.com reported.

An unnamed law enforcement source told NJ.com that detectives are trying to determine how many people Orozco solicited money and gifts from at St. Rose before his 2014 transfer to a new post at the Church of the Nativity in Midland Park.

Both churches are located in the Archdiocese of Newark.

A spokesman and attorney for the Archdiocese told NJ.com that Orozco maintains his innocence and has not been officially charged with a crime as of Thursday.

Read the original report here.

The accusations against Orozco aren’t the only recent staffing issues that the Short Hills church has faced.

In 2014, another St. Rose of Lima spiritual leader - Reverend Monsignor George Trabold - stepped down following allegations of sexual abuse.

• See related article: Short Hills Pastor Steps Down Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations