An Iowa Catholic priest has pleaded guilty to stealing parish funds and investing the money in a fraudulent scheme without the knowledge or approval of church financial leaders.
Father Thomas Thakadipuram, 62, formerly pastor of St. Mary Parish in Shenandoah and St. Mary Parish in Hamburg within the Diocese of Des Moines, accepted a plea deal in October after being charged earlier this year. He was initially accused of six counts of first-degree theft and one count of second-degree theft.
Under the plea agreement, Thakadipuram pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree theft and one count of fourth-degree theft. The court imposed a 10-year prison sentence that was fully suspended, along with a 90-day sentence that was suspended except for 14 days, with credit for seven days already served. He was also placed on three years of probation, ordered to pay $2,516.50 in restitution to the parish, and fined $430.
Prosecutors said that in January 2025, Thakadipuram misappropriated approximately $164,000 from St. Mary Parish in Shenandoah. The funds, which came from maturing certificates of deposit, were invested in what later proved to be a scam. Authorities said the priest did not consult or inform the parish finance council or the diocese before transferring the money.
Thakadipuram acknowledged taking the funds but argued that he believed he had canonical authority to do so as pastor. His attorneys said he was himself a victim of a sophisticated investment scam, having already lost his personal savings and family funds before turning to parish assets in an attempt to recover the losses.
State prosecutors countered that Thakadipuram only used parish money after scammers told him he would need to invest additional funds to withdraw his purported earnings. They emphasized that parish guidelines require pastors to follow the advice of finance councils and consult the bishop for extraordinary financial decisions.
Victim impact statements from parish members described frustration over what they perceived as the priest’s dismissive attitude after the loss, including assurances that insurance would cover the damage.
The case drew attention for the response of Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines, who submitted a strongly worded statement to the court emphasizing the harm done to the Catholic community. Joensen condemned the priest’s actions and urged that justice be served, a departure from the more lenient stances often taken by church officials in similar cases.
Robert Warren, a retired IRS investigator and accounting professor who studies church embezzlement cases, said the situation highlights the need for stronger parish financial controls, such as requiring multiple signatures for large transfers and automatic notifications to finance council members.
The Diocese of Des Moines said following sentencing that it intends to pursue action in the canonical forum. Thakadipuram expressed a desire to return to ministry, though the outcome of any church disciplinary process remains uncertain.
