Georgia church leaders indicted in alleged $22 million fraud targeting veterans

Federal Public Prosecutors have sued the founder and numerous leaders of the Home of Prayer Christian Church buildings of America and accused the Ministry, which was established in Georgia, of working a a long time, $ 22 million fraud schedule that was aimed toward US army members and veterans.

After the indictment, the FBI performed a raid on Wednesday close to Augusta, Georgia, who arrested leaders after years of allegations that the church operated as a cult and operated all through the nation of army communities.

FBI Atlanta Public Affairs specialist Jenna Sellitto confirmed to Fox Information Digital. It raided a home in Columbia County, Georgia, and has carried out approved arrests with regard to the church investigation.

Sellitto stated that she couldn’t instantly launch the identities of those that had been taken in custody.

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HopCC leaders and the Meeting of Prayer Church in Augusta, GA. (Google Maps)

The fees come after the FBI attacked at the least three church buildings in June 2022 related to the home of prayer Christian church buildings in Georgia and Texas, arrange on simply kilometers from Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and Fort Hood.

After the 2022 invasion, the Ministry of Justice (DOJ) submitted a forfeiture for almost $ 150,000, and claimed that the church and its Biblical Seal had been lifted lots of of army members on the scammed greater than $ 22 million.

De Afflays, submitted on Thursday within the southern district of Georgia, the founder Rony Denis van de Kerk and church leaders Anthony Oloans, 51, Joseph Fryar, Dennis Nostrand, 55, Gerard Robertson, 57, David Rip, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40s, 40, 40s, 40s, 40s, 40s, 40s, 40s, 40s, 40s -40s 42, 42, 42, and Omar Garcia, 42, 42, and Omar Garcia. Affairs (VA) instructional advantages and false tax returns.

Denis, whose true id stays unknown, however who obtained the US citizenship in 2002, is accused of exercising strict management of members by means of intimidation, manipulation and compelled obedience, in accordance with the indictment.

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In line with the indictment, church leaders are stated to have collected greater than $ 5.2 million in rental earnings from 2018 to 2020. (Istock)

Allegedly, leaders helped manipulation by sustaining the non-public info of members, management their funds and orchestration of divorces and possession transfers.

The prosecutors who date from at the least 2004, declare that the church has orchaged actual property purchaser with the assistance of the names of church members to acquire mortgages below false pretenses after which switch the property to entities below management.

In line with the indictment, church leaders are stated to have collected greater than $ 5.2 million in rental earnings, whereas mortgages are in default.

Public Prosecutors additionally accuse the leaders of dishonest the VA by wrongly certifying college students for GI Invoice advantages through HopCC-Liedderde Biblical Seals.

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The home of the Christian Church prayer has a location close to Fort Stewart in Georgia, which was additionally attacked by authorities in 2022. (AP Photograph/Russ Bynum)

Funds meant for the schooling of veterans had been diverted as a substitute to church leaders and affiliated entities, in accordance with the indictment.

Along with the opposite crimes, court docket paperwork famous that Denis would have helped in submitting false joint tax returns in 2018, 2019 and 2020, which resulted in claims of lots of of hundreds of fraudulent refunds yearly.

In a movement to designate the case as a posh and to exclude the time below the Speedy Trial Act, prosecutors declare that they’ve assessed greater than 175 financial institution accounts, have performed dozens of witness interviews, carried out 5 searches in 4 states and have seized greater than 100 digital gadgets and 80 packing containers with paperwork.

“The defendants are accused of exploiting belief, religion and even the service of the army members of our nation to complement themselves,” stated Paul Brown, particular agent answerable for FBI Atlanta. “This indictment makes it clear that using coercion, manipulation and fraud below the guise of faith is not going to shield a mistake towards accountability.”

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Greater than 200 Grand Jury -Suepens had been issued within the alleged fraud schemes, which included virtually 20 years and anxious 150 to 200 property, in accordance with judicial paperwork.

Denis is represented by lawyer Steven Sadow, who was a lead advisor for President Donald Trump throughout his Georgia election interference. Sadow couldn’t be reached instantly for remark.

The Division of Homeland Safety and Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t instantly reply to the requests of FOX Information Digital for extra details about Denis’ citizenship standing and id.