fraud
Cyberfraud cost Florida Baptists more than $700,000
By Bob Smietana — May 16, 2023
(RNS) — Churches, like other organizations, face an onslaught of phishing emails and other attempts at cyberfraud. One mistake can be costly.
Vineyard USA founder’s widow, board members sue breakaway Anaheim pastors, alleging fraud
By Bob Smietana — November 23, 2022
(RNS) — A pair of California pastors say God told them to lead the Anaheim Vineyard out of its home denomination. Former board members say the pastors committed fraud to do that. At stake is $62 million in assets.
AME Church alleges former retirement services exec embezzled tens of millions
By Adelle M. Banks — May 26, 2022
(RNS) — After an independent investigation, the denomination concluded that Harris deposited funds from the plan into his personal checking account.
Christian radio host gets 3 life prison terms for bilking listeners
By Associated Press — November 2, 2021
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — 'Doc Gallagher is one of the worst offenders I have seen,' said Lori Varnell, chief of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Elder Financial Fraud team.
Former megachurch pastor and presidential adviser Kirbyjon Caldwell enters prison
By Adelle M. Banks — June 23, 2021
(RNS) — Sentenced in January to six years, the judge allowed the onetime Houston pastor a five-month reprieve, likely due to COVID-19 and personal health concerns.
Mormon leaders accused of fraud, misusing tithes in lawsuit filed by brother of former Utah governor
By Bob Smietana — March 23, 2021
(RNS) — A prominent former church member filed suit after reading an IRS whistleblower report claiming the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had $100 billion in assets that were not being used for charity.
Kirbyjon Caldwell, former presidential adviser who promoted ‘good success,’ sentenced to prison
By Bob Smietana — January 14, 2021
(RNS) — A former presidential adviser, Caldwell advocated for ‘good success’ — achieving financial and spiritual success while remaining moral.
Jim Bakker gets PPP loans to pay employees, despite Morningside’s legal fight on fraud claims
By Sally Stapleton — August 24, 2020
(AP) — When the U.S. government extended pandemic hardship loans to thousands of religious institutions, Jim Bakker and Morningside USA, his ministry in Blue Eye, Missouri, were among the most high-profile recipients. On April 28, the pastor received approval for an amount between $650,000 and $1.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds. Weeks before, the Missouri […]
Son of pastor John MacArthur charged in $16 million investment scheme
By Alejandra Molina — February 24, 2020
(RNS) — The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Criterion Wealth Management Insurance Services and its co-owners Mark MacArthur and Robert Gravette of failing to reveal financial conflicts of interest when recommending certain investments to their clients.
Bible college and former Newsweek and Christian Post publishers plead guilty in $35 million fraud probe
By Alejandra Molina — February 20, 2020
(RNS) — A California-based Christian college and the former publishers of The Christian Post and Newsweek have been convicted in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $35 million from lenders, according to the Manhattan district attorney.
Pope Francis warns pilgrims: ‘Don’t get conned — salvation is free!’
By Rosie Scammell — December 16, 2015
(RNS) “Be careful that there’s not someone a bit quick and too cunning that tells you that you must pay," Pope Francis said at his Wednesday public audience in St. Peter's Square.
Singapore megachurch leaders convicted in pop music fraud case
By Reuters — October 22, 2015
The mix of money, faith and scandal in the case has fascinated the public in affluent Singapore.
Priest who headed clergy addiction center is going to jail for fraud
By David Gibson — February 4, 2014
(RNS) "I broke the law and violated the trust of others," Monsignor Edward Arsenault wrote. "I am prepared to accept the consequences for having done so, to make restitution and to face the penalty for having committed these crimes."
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