Pastor’s Greed Lands Him in Prison: Stole Nearly $200K in COVID Relief
- Terry L. Hall, a former pastor from Hamilton County, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining nearly $200,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.
- Hall applied for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds using church information but then diverted the money to his personal bank account.
- Instead of helping his congregation, he spent the funds on personal expenses, including paying off his mortgage, building a pole barn, and covering travel and daily living costs. He is also ordered to repay the full amount.
Stories like this hit hard, especially for folks who believe in the church and its mission. When a pastor, someone we trust to lead and serve, chooses to line his own pockets instead of helping his congregation, it’s a real betrayal. It doesn’t just hurt that one church; it makes people question the integrity of all churches and their leaders. For a small family trying to find a good church, or a small congregation trying to do good in their community, this kind of news casts a shadow. It’s a tough reminder that everyone, even those in ministry, needs to be held accountable for how they handle God’s resources and the trust placed in them. True leadership is about serving, not stealing.
This story was analyzed for Christ P2P. You can read the original reporting here: https://www.bnd.com/news/local/crime/article313034247.html
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