Pick-Pocketin’ Preachers! 10 Black Churches Caught Up In Embezzlement Scandals
Life Reach Ministries (Illinois)
Rev. Howard Richmond, 53, owned a storefont church called Life Reach Ministries in Aurora, Ill. And he had no problem reachin’ for your pockets. The man had big dreams and goals — a megachurch in Chicago. Richmond convinced two dozen god-fearing investors to finance this holy institution (one gave up $1 million). They trusted him, because y’know, he’s a pastor and all — and they can do no wrong, right? While the victims were promised big returns, Richmond later abandoned the church expansion plan. The televangelist used the money on a new BMW, a trip to Hawaii, jewelry, and nights in plush hotels. All that came to an end when Richmond was sentenced to 12 years in prison last December for stealing $1.6 million.