Starkville priest under federal investigation

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- The pastor of Starkville’s Catholic Church has been removed from all duties as priest as of the weekend.

According to a 37 page affidavit filed by an agent with Homeland Security, Father Lenin Vargas is accused of lying about a cancer diagnosis, using schemes to bilk money from people in the parish, and the personal spending of thousands of dollars in donated money.

Father Vargas, priest at the St. Joseph parish in Starkville, apparently lied about a rare cancer diagnosis.

The investigator writes that Vargas used the alleged diagnosis as a way to raise money.

According to the affidavit, Vargas does not, and has never had cancer. He is HIV positive according to court documents.

The affidavit also states that the Catholic church in Macon also donated more than $20,000 to Vargas

Five confidential informants worked with Homeland Security on the investigation.

Thousands of dollars in donations for cancer treatment, an orphanage in Mexico and a chapel in Mexico have been transferred to Vargas.

The investigation could not find proof of either the orphanage or chapel.

Court documents say the Jackson diocese had knowledge of the scams.

Charges have not been filed in the case.

Click here to read the full affidavit.