Is it legal for a preacher to collect the money from the congregation for 1 thing and use the money for something else?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it legal for a preacher to collect the money from the congregation for 1 thing and use the money for something else?
I know a preacher who asked his congregation for money that his daughter might have a necessary operation. He asked the members for $100 each. They collected over $11,000. His daughter never had the operation so members began to talk. About 2 weeks later, he said in church “all those that want your money back can come forth now. This will be the only time that you can get your money back”. This was done during the service. This was also done to intimidate the members. Is this legal?
Asked on November 25, 2011 under Criminal Law, Kentucky
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If you know of a particular preacher who made a representation of a need for a contribution of money for a particular purpose benefitting himself or a member of his family, money was collected and then the money was not used for the particular purpose and it now seems that rhe money may have been used for some other pupose, then possibly the preacher may have "defrauded" members of his congregation.
One of the oldest and most common instances of fraud results where someone in a position of trust takes advantage of people who trust him or her. I suggest that the directors of the church have a meeting to discuss the conduct of your preacher and that possibly an attorney who practices general civil law be consulted about the situation.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.