Fraud Archives - MinistryWatch
Victims describe financial devastation and find support through faith.
Hundreds of investors allegedly lost millions in a Ponzi scheme involving California real estate partnerships. Many victims were Christians who trusted Kenneth Mattson through church connections. Now they are finding support in one another.
Eric Readon disputes the property case that brought jail time, 15 years of probation, and a $180,000 restitution order.
A Miami pastor has returned to the pulpit after pleading no contest to defrauding an elderly person. Eric Readon disputes the property case that brought jail time, 15 years of probation, and a $180K restitution ...
Christian publisher says it is reviewing its financial controls after auditors identified an isolated incident.
A former Lifeway executive has been arrested on theft and forgery charges tied to alleged misuse of ministry funds. Lifeway says it is tightening its financial controls.
Prosecutors say Cristian Popescu targeted parishioners' retirement and children's college savings accounts.
A WA pastor is accused of persuading church members to invest in a fraudulent company by telling them God had chosen them. Prosecutors say he targeted retirement and college savings accounts.
Brian Mitchell scammed over 100 investors before promising a local church huge returns.
A Michigan man ran a $2.7M Ponzi scheme for years, scamming 128 investors — then targeted a local church, promising a 72% return. Brian Mitchell was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison.
Prosecutors say Tamara Wallace stole nearly $390,000 as bookkeeper
South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace faces a federal wire fraud charge after prosecutors say she stole nearly $390,000 from her church over six years while working as its bookkeeper. She's due in court Oct. ...
Fraudulent deeds and disputed property transfers are creating headaches for some U.S. churches.
The West Saint Mark Church of Christ in Chapel Hill, N.C., has been developing property for a new building over the past two decades. Those plans nearly stalled when Pastor Timothy Peppers got a call ...
AME guidance recommends multiple signers on church bank accounts.
Tulsa pastor Keith Mayes admitted diverting more than $500K from Vernon AME Church. The case raises questions about the church’s financial controls as AME guidance urges multiple bank-account signers.
Dr. Helen Boerman sentenced to 42 months in prison and must forfeit $7M.
A Brentwood, Tennessee, optometrist and church leader pleaded guilty to a $7 million health care fraud scheme and received a 42-month prison sentence, according to a Sept. 14 press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office ...
Self-proclaimed ‘prophet’ used church’s trust to steal COVID relief funds for luxury spending.
A Missouri "prophet" turned his church into a $1.9M fraud machine — convincing parishioners to hand over bank accounts, then draining the money into luxury cars, jewelry, and cash. A jury convicted him in just ...
