Evangelical Preacher’s Abuse Victims Awarded $525 Million in Damages

By David Winograd
The Time
February 27, 2014

http://nation.time.com/2014/02/27/tony-alamo-preacher-victims-damages-525-million/

Seven women who were physically, sexually and psychologically abused by an evangelical preacher have been granted over half a billion dollars in reparations by an Arkansas judge.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that Miller County Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson awarded $525 million to the victims in actual and punitive damages.

Johnson made the default ruling this week against Twenty First Century Holiness Tabernacle Church, after the organization failed to answer charges. The women were abused by Tony Alamo, the church’s leader, when they were members of the ministry.

The compensation for each victim ranges from $10 million to $29 million. One of the women says she was raped by Alamo from the time she was 9 years old until she escaped the ministry at age 15. Alamo was convicted in 2009 for abusing the women and is currently serving a 175-year prison sentence.