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Hinn, Dollar, White Among 6 Televangelists Under Fire for Alleged Donation Abuse

by TheBigRuski | November 6, 2007 at 01:35 pm

3362 views | 19 Recommendations | 4 comments

Senate Finance Committee to investigate alleged misuse of tax-exempt status to support extravagant lifestyles

From Christian News Headlines:

Breaking News: Republican Sen. Charles Grassley has launched an investigation into six televangelists for allegations of abusing their tax-exempt status. Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer and Paula White are required to submit financial records to the Senate Finance Committee by December 6th.

Congress has the authority to subpoena these televangelists. Some televangelists might be required to testify before Congress concerning their alleged use of tax-exempt donations to support extravagant lifestyles.

In 2005 the Trinity Foundation learned of Grassley’s work investigating financial abuses of nonprofits and contacted the senator about investigating various televangelists. After working together for two years, this investigation is becoming public and could lead to criminal charges, the tax-exempt status of various televangelists being revoked, and new legislation to reform religious broadcasting.

Update (11/6 5:58 PM PST): Senator’s Letter Includes Questions About White’s Possible Use of Church Money for Homes, Cosmetic Surgery

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Rob Walker

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 13:54 on November 6th, 2007

There's an enormous amount of money poured into these organisations, they have tax exempt status and no one wants to investigate them because of the religious aspect. I'm not surprised this is happening.

Rob Peters

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:43 on November 6th, 2007

Interesting topic yet again BigRuski. Keep up the good work.

Barry Artiste

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 20:19 on November 6th, 2007

TheBigRuski, Good stuff as always.

That is impossible to believe that devout evangelists who started their ministry with not a pot to piss in, and in a short while amass huge unimaginable personal fortunes and live in multi million dollar mansions can be accused of misusing funds meant for the "Lawd Jaysus"......one wonder why it took till now for these Rocket Scientists in Congress to figure it out now, when for decades every human, plant and animal knew it all along. Perrrrrrrrraaaaaiiiiseeeeee Beeeeeeeee! I mean come on, Big Hair don't style itself you know!

deusdiabolus

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 00:15 on November 9th, 2007

I'd really like to know the majority of people that attend these televangelists' "tent revivals" that are in an upper income bracket. I have a feeling it's probably quite low.