Many churches and ministries refuse to file criminal charges or sue when a trusted employee is caught embezzling funds. The refusal to sue is sometimes based on Bible verses where the Apostle Paul criticized Christians for suing each other in I Corinthians 6:1-8.
However, another option exists for reporting criminal religious leaders that operate non-profit organizations.
By filling out IRS Form 13909, a church can report pastors or priests, financial secretaries and board members “using income/assets for personal gain.”
Ironically enough, if thieves fail to report and pay taxes on the embezzled funds, they have also committed tax evasion.
According to IRS Publication 17, “Income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 21, or on Schedule C (Form 1040) or Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity.”
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Another ministry bringing transparency to churches is Check My Church which requests financial records and bylaws from pastors of churches both small and large.
This site also exposes spiritual and physical abuse by church leadership as well.
Ole Anthony, 82, president of Dallas-based Trinity Foundation Inc. and a thorn in the side of prosperity gospel televangelists, died Friday, April 16, 2021.
He was known as a fierce critic of TV preachers like Robert Tilton, Benny Hinn and Jan and Paul Crouch, and was often seen in news interviews critiquing their lavish lifestyles.
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Ole sought to follow the example of the Apostle Paul who wrote, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." - 1 Corinthians 2:2
