By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami
The Archdiocese of Miami issued the following statement January 17, 2020 regarding the arrest of former St. Louis Catholic Church and St. Louis Covenant School employee and contractor.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office notified the Archdiocese of Miami (today) that warrants have been issued for the arrests of a former St. Louis Catholic Church and St. Louis Covenant School employee, Mr. Nelson Tarke, and for Mr. Stefano Lambo, one of the parish’s former independent contractors. They have been charged with grand theft and participation in an organized scheme to defraud St. Louis Catholic Church.
Last year, school and church administrators discovered that significant inappropriate and unauthorized spending of parish and school funds occurred during Mr. Tarke’s employment as campaign manager and development director, including with projects undertaken by Mr. Lambo.
The Miami-Dade Police Department was notified, and an investigation was commenced. The Archdiocese of Miami has cooperated fully with the MDPD’s investigation throughout these past months and continues to do so.
Mr. Tarke was dismissed from his employment in May of 2019. Mr. Lambo’s work at the parish was discontinued in August of 2019.
