Senator Grassley Probes Several Televangelist’s Finances
November 7, 2007 – 5:45 pmPosted Under: society
That’s a photo of the inside of Creflo’s house. Niiice! I want one just like it. 8000 square feet. But first let me preface this post with the fact that there are so many rapes and murders out there in the world that to sit and worry about who deserves tax exempt status when the government itself is notorious for fleecing America is insane. Plastic surgery, luxury cars, planes and $30k conference tables. So what! I don’t know why people can’t get this image of preachers with run over shoes out of their minds. So you’re telling me that when you preach the gospel you should be poor, wrinkled and busted up to prove how humble you are? What about eating the good of the land? The Word says it. People lke him don’t get that part. Maybe God will strike Senator Grassley blind like Saul and covert him since his heart is hardened and he’s launched a self-imposed witch-hunt to the preachers with the most money, as if anything under a million dollars in ministry revenues isn’t a temptation at all. Give me a break. They’ve been spout this trash since 2005. Two years and they haven’t confirmed their suspicions yet? Hmmm. Here’s what Creflo has to say about it.
Acting on tips about preachers who ride in Rolls Royces and have purportedly paid $30,000 for a conference table, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee said Tuesday he’s investigating the finances of six well-known TV ministers.
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said those under scrutiny include faith healer Benny Hinn, Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar and one of the nation’s best known female preachers, Joyce Meyer.
Grassley sent letters to the half-dozen Christian media ministries earlier this week requesting answers by Dec. 6 about their expenses, executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.
In a statement, Grassley said he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations.
“The allegations involve governing boards that aren’t independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces,” Grassley said.
“I don’t want to conclude that there’s a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code.”
Those ministries that responded Tuesday either said they were cooperating or committed to financial transparency and following the law.
The investigation promises to shine new light on the kind of TV ministries that were crippled by sex and money scandals in the 1980s. Experts also say it stands out as an unusual case of the government probing the inner workings of religious organizations.
Most of those under investigation preach a variation of the “prosperity gospel,” the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches.
Grassley’s letters went to:
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries of Newark, Texas, a $20 million organization and prosperity gospel pioneer. Questions were raised about the transfer of church assets to a for-profit company, Security Patrol Inc., a $1 million loan from Gloria Copeland to the group, and a “personal gift” of more than $2 million given to Kenneth Copeland to mark the ministry’s 40th anniversary.
A Copeland spokeswoman released a statement saying the ministry is working on a response to Grassley’s letter, follows all laws and best practices governing churches and religious nonprofit groups, and “will continue to do so.”
Creflo and Taffi Dollar of World Changers Church International and Creflo Dollar Ministries of College Park, Ga. Grassley’s letter asks for records on private planes, board makeup, compensation and donations and “love offerings” to visiting ministers. In a statement, Dollar called his ministry an “open book” and said he would cooperate. He also questioned whether the investigation could “affect the privacy of every community church in America.”
Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church Inc. and Benny Hinn Ministries of Grapevine, Texas, is asked about use of a private jet, a home in Dana Point, Calif. and “layover trips” while traveling on ministry business. Hinn did not respond to requests for comment.
Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Eddie Long Ministries of Lithonia, Ga., was questioned about his salary, a $1.4 million real estate transaction and whether he, and not the board, holds sole authority over the organization. Long plans to fully comply with the Senate’s request, and his church has “several safeguards” to ensure transactions comply with laws governing churches, according to a statement from Long’s spokesman.
Joyce and David Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries of Fenton, Mo., who were quizzed about receiving donations of money and jewelry and the handling of cash from overseas crusades. They also were asked about expenditures at ministry headquarters, including a $30,000 conference table and a $23,000 “commode with marble top.”
The ministry’s lawyer released a statement describing the ministry’s work and public release of several years’ worth of audits. He also said the IRS found in October that the group continues to qualify for tax-exempt status.
Randy and Paula White of the multiracial Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries of Tampa, Fla. are asked about home purchases in San Antonio, Texas, Malibu, Calif., and New York, credit card charges for clothing and cosmetic surgery and the reported purchase of a Bentley convertible as a gift for Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Texas preacher and televangelist. An e-mail to a spokeswoman for Jakes was not immediately returned.
In a statement, Randy and Paula White declined to comment on specifics, saying they needed time to review the letter with their lawyers. But the Whites called the Grassley letter “unusual, since the IRS has separate powers to investigate religious organizations if they think it’s necessary.”
Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar all sit on the board of regents for Oral Roberts University, which is mired in a financial scandal of its own.
The Senate Finance Committee has chided secular nonprofits for governance and compensation problems in the past, but this level of scrutiny for what are basically “non-pulpit churches” is unprecedented, said Ken Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Because the groups have tax status as churches, they are not required to file tax forms open to public inspection.
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13 Responses to “Senator Grassley Probes Several Televangelist’s Finances”
Hmmm…I must say I’m a bit surprised that the Senate is involved, what with a war going on, housing market/stock market close to bust, all the frigging food/toy recalls we get DAILY.
Um, how does this fit under the whole “seperation of Church and State”?
By MsJayy on Nov 8, 2007
You’re right about that. You’d think that the war would take precedence. I mean, really? Like Creflo said, that’s the IRS’s job.
By Miss Princess Dominique on Nov 8, 2007
The senate is getting invovled because they are part of the legislative body. Presently, churches are tax exempt, because there was an assumption that they use the money that they receive to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and to provide other charitable services. But if they are indeed receiving money and not providing charity, the senate may be looking into changing the laws (such as the ones that pertain to the IRS) to make churches pay taxes. Creflo Dollar (is that his real surname?) might want to revisit a history course related to the 3 branches (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) of government and their responsibilities. Government agency adhere to the laws written by Congress.
Of course all preachers aren’t crooked, but the ones who are brought about this inquiry. Churches should reign themselves in so that outside forces don’t have to.
By Aziza on Nov 8, 2007
My question though is didn’t they do this back in 2005? If so what were the finding and if there were no findings it could be considered harrassment to do it again in 2007 and again in 2009. If I’m a preacher of a mega church they aren’t going to pay me what they pay a storefront preacher because there is more to manage and oversee. I’m just saying…
By Miss Princess Dominique on Nov 8, 2007
Congress is trying to determine whether churches need to open up their books like individuals and other organizations are required to do so with the IRS. And before they change laws, they undertake investigations and conduct hearings to get the information. Congress can study a subject as many times as they wish. They may have studied this issue before, but the scope this time around may be different.
But it is important to note, that congressional members usually look into such matters because their constituents (the voters) have asked them to. Yesterday, on CBS’ morning show a blind young man said that he appeared on Benny Hinn’s show. The young man and his mother claim Hinn raised money to help the boy with his expenses related to his blindness. There’s probably some video footage to confirm this. At the time, the young man appeared to be a boy. But he and his mom said to this day that they never received a dime. So, this begs the questions of where did the money go and were the people who donated money misled about where their money was going? Other people have expressed the same concerns.
If a megachurch is doing what they are supposed to (paying the bills, supporting charitable works, etc.), then they have nothing to worry about. Other church leaders may try to fight the senate hearings, because they’ve enjoyed a life of luxury via tithes and offerings.
By Aziza on Nov 8, 2007
You’re right some may have been robbing the kitty (not necessarily the ones named), and nobody should be fleeced, but what I’m trying to understand is why it takes 2 years to find out and investigate and in all fairness if there were no misuse found shouldn’t they make that as public as the accusation? I don’t think I fully get it. I’ve always heard people against paying tithes worrying about where the money was going and what the preacher was driving. I pay my tithes and God knows I pay it, I don’t worry about what it does or where it goes. My obligation to God is fulfilled once I put it in the basket. I think if you have to wonder what they’re doing with your tithes then you’re at the wrong church.
I think one of the MAJOR reasons I’m disgruntled about this is because they make it seem like only the mega churches can be guilty of fraudulent use and that is not the case. But (big but) you know once you’re investigated, or there is suspicion of wrongdoing you (the mega church) are branded guilty in the minds of some even if their findings come up with zilch. It just seems unfair to me. It’s like labeling someone a pedophile and then trying to retract the statement after the fact. It labels you.
You’re right in that if they’re not doing anything wrong there’s nothing to worry about, but MANNNNNNNNNN if you look at their bios some of these men NEVER EVER wanted to preach the Gospel and then concede to the calling and look what they get.
By Miss Princess Dominique on Nov 8, 2007
BTW it’s great to be able to have a discussion about this without shoes flying and stuff like that.
By Miss Princess Dominique on Nov 8, 2007
There’s a real reason why this probe is taking place - it just hasn’t been revealed yet.
By don on Nov 8, 2007
Princess, you know we’re cool. I come to your blog just about everyday, because you keep it interesting. Folks can always come here to get some great conversation going.
By Aziza on Nov 8, 2007
Thanks and I appreciate it! And you’ve kept me abreast on a few things too. I love variety!
By Miss Princess Dominique on Nov 8, 2007
Don I’d really like to be in the know…
By Miss Princess Dominique on Nov 8, 2007
BTW it’s great to be able to have a discussion about this without shoes flying and stuff like that.
It’s hard to believe church folk can sit down and have a discussion about preachers “maybe” misleading the congregation, without everyone cursing everyone out.
Hard to believe, isn’t it?
By don on Nov 10, 2007
It is Don. I think it shows how mature they are or “we” are rather to not let anger, false accusation and low blows come into play. I see it alot, the name calling especially if you read some of the Juanita Bynum posts. People don’t get the fact that how you respond “is” your fruit.
By Miss Princess Dominique on Nov 10, 2007