Sen. Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced today that he has sent letters to six Christian ministries requesting detailed data on expenses, executive compensation, and amenities given to executives. From the press release:
The inquiry is part of Grassley’s long-standing interest in making sure tax-exempt organizations are accountable to donors. “I’m following up on complaints from the public and news coverage regarding certain practices at six ministries,” Grassley said. “The allegations involve governing boards that aren’t independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces. I don’t want to conclude that there’s a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code.”
From today’s Christianity Today:
None of the ministries targeted — those led by Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer, and Randy and Paula White — are required to file the financial disclosure Form 990 with the IRS because they are are designated as churches.
Grassley "is not just asking them to come in and talk, he is asking them for everything," Kenneth Behr, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, told The Tampa Tribune, which in May ran a lengthy investigative report on the Whites’ Without Walls church and its finances. The ministries have until December 6 to submit audited financial statements, compensation reports, records for ministry jet travel, and other documents. …
Grassley’s office told the Tribune that the IRS "has been unable to keep up with the exponential growth of all tax-exempt organizations, including churches and ministries." While Grassley is not proposing any changes to the law or tax code, he’s suggesting that he may do so after the investigation. "Based on initial review, the way ministries operate has changed significantly over the last 20 years to 25 years, while the tax laws governing them for the most part have not," his office said.
- Letter to Kenneth and Gloria Copeland
- Letter to Creflo and Taffi Dollar
- Letter to Pastor Benedictus Hinn
- Letter to Bishop Eddie L. Long
- Letter to David and Joyce Meyer
- Letter to Randy and Paula White
Other media coverage:
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Senate Member Seeks Financial Records of Atlanta Megachurches, by Christopher Quinn
- CBS News: Senate Panel Probes 6 Top Televangelists, by Laura Strickler
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram: U.S. Senator Looking Into Televangelists’ Finances, by Darren Barbee
- The Raw Story: Lavish Televangelist Lifestyles Raise Eyebrows at Senate Finance Committee, by Jason Rhyne
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Joyce Meyer Ministries Is a Target of GOP Senator’s Probe, by Deirdre Shesgreen
- Wall Street Journal: Finances of Six Evangelists Draw Senator’s Scrutiny, by Suzanne Sataline
