A North Carolina minister of a faith and finances ministry was sentenced to five years in prison for failing to pay taxes and filing false tax returns. He was also involved in a check-cashing scheme. He claimed business expenses of $227,700 for clothing purchases, and $140,000 for meals and entertainment expenses at various restaurants and movie theaters. He purchased three BMWs, two Ferraris, a Maserati, a Land Rover, and a Regal 2500 boat under the names of the companies he owned. In 2012, his ministry purchased a $1.5 million condominium to be used as a parsonage. (U.S. v. Coontz (April 17, 2020) U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, Case No. 19-4167)
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