A Guelph couple is accused of using millions of dollars taken from the Jesuits of Canada to buy, renovate and flip properties in Guelph, St. Catharines and Florida, as well as line their own pockets.
That’s at the heart of a $7.2 million lawsuit filed earlier this month by Jesuits Canada against Barry and Nancy Leidl. Barry Leidl worked for the Jesuits of Canada for 33 years and retired as director of finance in 2024.
“The intentional and fraudulent conduct of the defendants, including exploiting a position of trust held by Mr. Leidl and doing so for his own and his family’s enrichment, demonstrates a complete disregard for the rights and legitimate interests of Jesuits Canada,” the lawsuit states. “The defendants’ actions warrant an award of aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages.”
Also named in the lawsuit is a numbered company under Barry Leidl’s direction, along with persons unknown.
None of the allegations have been tested or proven in court.
At this time, court officials say no statements of defence have been filed.
Efforts to reach Barry and Nancy Leidl for comment were not successful. Court documents do not identify any lawyer representing them.
In response to an application from the Jesuits, the Superior Court of Justice issued an order freezing the couple’s assets.
Jesuits of Canada reportedly realized “serious accounting irregularities” had been made soon after Barry Leidl’s retirement. He had been responsible for managing, overseeing, reconciling and safeguarding the religious group’s national finances, accounting and monetary assets.
This included the discovery of a bank account for the Jesuits that Barry Leidl alone had used since it was established in 2010, along with the “significant discrepancy” of insurance payments and the payment of “fake” invoices.
It’s claimed that at least $3.5 million was misappropriated between 2018 and 2024, including $3.3 million in credit card payments, $177,000 in cheques payable to Barry Leidl and deposited in the couples’ accounts and $45,000 in tuition and student debt for their adult children.
He’s also alleged to have diverted more than $300,000 from other Jesuits of Canada accounts and submitted “improper” expenses for reimbursement, including travel costs and hotel accommodations for himself, members of his family and others.
As reported in the statement of claim, when Barry Leidl was confronted by the Jesuits’ about their findings, he acknowledged there are “things that need to (be) remedied and I will do everything I can to make things right financially.”
