Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Keith M. Call, 63, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Grand Island, pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class E felonies). Call admitted to stealing more than $82,000 while working as a business manager for two Roman Catholic parishes in Erie County.
Between on or about May 23, 2024, and August 13, 2025, Call stole a total of $23,408.63 from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Swormville. He committed the crime by making unauthorized purchases and diverting cash from multiple fundraisers for his own personal gain. The defendant also opened a gas credit card and purchased gasoline without permission from the parish.
Between on or May 16, 2025, and August 20, 2025, the defendant also stole a total of $59,043.27 from Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Williamsville. The defendant fraudulently issued checks made payable to himself, purportedly for expenses incurred through his employment with the parish. The theft was uncovered during an audit conducted after the defendant resigned from his position in August 2025.
As a condition of the plea, Call paid a total of $82,451.90 in restitution to both parishes.
Call faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. He was released on his own recognizance while pending sentence.
DA Keane commends Confidential Criminal Investigators Robert Bebak and Natalie Perez for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.