Charlotte Area Ministers Convicted of Fraud!

Anthony and Harriet Jinwright were the co-pastors of Greater Salem City of God church in the Charlotte area for over 20 years. Yesterday Anthony Jinwright was convicted of multiple counts of filing false tax returns and tax evasion. A sentence that carries a maximum sentence of 53 years in prison. His wife Harriet, who is able to remain free unlike her husband, faces charges carrying a sentence of up to 20 years according to the Charlotte Observer. Federal prosecutors report that between 2002 and 2007 that the Jinwright's failed to report $2.3 million in income and paying $700,000 in taxes. While the Jinwright's were living the high life, the church was reportedly bouncing checks.

Good article that hopefully let's parishioners know that there has to be checks and balances even for ministers.

America's First Black Female Rabbi: Alysa Stanton

Alysa Stanton was formally ordained yesterday as America's first female African-American rabbi. She will will be the first non-white rabbi of Congregation Bayt Shalom, a 60-family synagogue in Greenville, N.C. TIME Magazine profiles Rabbi Stanton.

Rev. Brad Braxton's New Salary Under Fire!

Rev. Brad Braxton's new compensation package of $600,000 is being questioned by members of his new church, Manhattan's Riverside Church according to the New York Daily News. Braxton's salary doubles his predecessor's salary and has drawn the ire of parishioners who question the prudence of the package in these economic times, causing them to file suit in Manhattan court. The package includes the following:

$250,000 in salary.
$11,500 monthly housing allowance.
Private school tuition for his child.
A full-time maid.
Entertainment, travel and "professional development" allowances.
Pension and life insurance benefits.
An equity allowance for Braxton to save up to buy a home.
On top of that, Braxton immediately hired a new second in command at more than $300,000 a year.

This court hearing should be interesting. I wonder if Rev. Braxton will intervene and perhaps lessen the package to keep everyone happy.

First AME Pastor Owes Church $122,000 Plus Interest

The Los Angeles Times reports that Rev. John Hunter, who pastors the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles has been ordered to repay the church $122,000 plus interest after independent audits showed that Hunter had used church credit cards for personal expenditures including clothing, jewelry and family vacations. Hunter, who is paid a six figure salary, and has use of a $2 million church parsonage has agreed to repay the money over a four year period.

It appears that the church is being very generous in their handling of their pastor. Hopefully he's learned the error of his ways.