The US pastor convicted of stealing over $340,000 from two churches to fund personal expenses

A 56-year-old Louisiana pastor has been convicted of stealing over $340,000 from two churches he led, using the funds to support personal indulgences such as gambling and dining (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Dale Sanders, who served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie, allegedly made repeated unauthorized withdrawals from church bank accounts over four years (Ephesians 5:11).

The charges against Sanders include wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Sanders also used a church debit card to make personal purchases, accumulating more than $340,000 in stolen funds. Authorities allege he submitted a falsified document in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.

Following his indictment in April, Sanders called on his congregation to pray for him and his “enemy” on social media, despite the serious nature of the allegations.

He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release upon completing any prison term.

Source: Read the original report