Prosecutors say that Rev. Freeman hid the church’s assets to avoid paying off his debts. It’s also documented that the Reverend drove fancy cars and lived in a $1.75 million home on the Potomac River. The home has five fireplaces, a jet-ski lift and two four-car garages.
Rev. Freeman was sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison because of the bankruptcy case.
“Freeman lived a life of fraud and deception, using millions of dollars from church members, and fraudulently obtained credit to pay for luxury cars and a mansion while falsely representing in court that he was indigent,” Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said in a statement.
Freeman admitted in court that he takes responsibility for lying during bankruptcy proceedings. But he said his congregation willingly funded purchases on behalf of the church.
“I did all this publicly,” Rev. Freeman told the judge in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. “There wasn’t nothing shady about it.”
“The essence of this crime was taking advantage of unwitting people,” District Judge Roger W. Titus said before sentencing Freeman to 27 months in prison. The judge also ordered Freeman to pay more than $630,000 to four church members who took out loans to purchase the cars and mansion.
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Dean
August 3, 2012 at 10:22 AM
I pray that reading about this “Pastor” doesn’t deter people from wanting to be a part of churches.
edwin
August 3, 2012 at 2:20 PM
wolf in sheep’s clothing. Dean I agree with you. It’s like if you have a bad experience at one restaurant does it mean you’re going to stop eating fast food all together?
Jean
August 4, 2012 at 10:47 AM
May god bless the pastor and the members of the church, Who’s to judge ? Some time things happen in our life for a reason seen bad but it’s can be for our goods.
Don’t give up be bless he’s there (GOD)