Corky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.
A Roman Catholic diocese in California is warning its flock to beware of wolves in priestly clothes. The Diocese of Stockton sent out an alert over the weekend to other churches to be on the lookout for people 'purporting to be Spanish-speaking Catholic bishops and priests' who then charge 'exorbitant fees for celebrating the sacraments, teaching classes, and issuing certificates.
'The problem is these knuckleheads are preying on undocumented immigrants, migrant workers, people who might be afraid to go to law enforcement,' Haight said. 'So we decided to get the word out so more people aren't victimized.' Sharon Bear, a spokesperson for the Modesto Police Department, confirmed that the Diocese of Stockton has been in touch with the department about the phony priests but no active investigation is underway because, so far, nobody has filed a complaint.