Mega-Church Finances Investigated by Senator

[Mr. Scott]

Senator Chuck Grassley (R. Iowa) was in the news this morning because he is investigating the six giant media churches for financial improprieties.

Included are:

Benny Hinn Ministries
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
Creflo Dollar Ministries
Bishop Eddie Long Ministries
Joyce Meyer Ministries
Paula White Ministries

This story details the investigation, and includes pdf files of the actual letters Sen. Greeley sent to the church heads. Here's a quote from the story:

Grassley, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, has asked the ministries to submit records by Thursday on compensation, board oversight and perks — from oceanside homes and expensive furniture to flights on private jets. IRS rules for nonprofits prevent pastors and other insiders from excessive personal gain through their tax-exempt work.

Here's the entry from Sen. Grassley's blog:

11/7/07 - Non-Profit Ministries, Accountability to Donors

I have recently asked six media media-based ministries for information regarding expenses, executive compensation and amenities given to their executives. This has nothing to do with church doctrine. This has everything to do with the tax exemption of an organization. Is that tax exemption being used according to law, and is the money that's donated under the tax exemption being used for legitimate, non-profit purposes?

This is part of a long-standing priority of mine to make sure that tax-exempt organizations are accountable to their donors. Over the years, my investigations have led to some real reform in other non-profit organizations.

Whether it’s using a private jet, driving a Rolls Royce or Bentley, or installing a $23,000 commode, there is obviously money going down the toilet. As a Christian myself, and a person who believes in tithing, I feel I have a right to know where my money goes. If a person gets a tax deduction for a donation, the deduction and donation should be for a legitimate purpose.

My job as a member of the tax writing Senate Finance Committee is to make sure the tax code is upheld and to make sure tax breaks for charitable work donations are not abused. Andon-profit board independence is important. Family members shouldn’t be approving salaries for family members or themselves.

What I’m after from the six ministries is some basic information on how they use their money. I won’t draw any conclusions until after they report back to me.

I just wrote to Senator Grassley and suggested he look into Sylvia Brown's Society of Novus Spiritus.

 

[Susan Gerbic]

Wow! I really hope this goes somewhere and not just pandering to people that he is attempting to do something.

I hope someone follows up on this story.

Susan

 

[Mr. Scott]

Wow! I really hope this goes somewhere and not just pandering to people that he is attempting to do something.

I hope someone follows up on this story.

Susan

Sure, I'll bump this thread whenever there's an update. I'm really glad Benny Hinn is on the senator's hit list. Thursday is the churchs' deadline to respond to his letter.

 

[grayman]

I hope the good Senator has success.

There has been a thread started on this already.

 

[Mr. Scott]

I hope the good Senator has success.

There has been a thread started on this already.

I missed it -- it seemed to have died out before the recent news came in. I'll continue with updates on this thread unless a moderator merges them.

Thursday (tomorrow) is the Senator's deadline for the megamedia churches to respond.