CALIFORNIA
Huffington Post
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A man who went from teenage millionaire to convicted con artist to professional fraud fighter and pastor was convicted Wednesday of cheating his San Diego church congregation out of some $3 million.
Barry Minkow pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from the San Diego Community Bible Church, a U.S. attorney’s statement said. He was already serving a five-year sentence for a securities fraud conviction in Florida and could get five additional years when he is sentenced for the new conviction April 7.
Under the plea, Minkow admitted that he opened unauthorized church bank accounts, forged signatures on checks and used member donations for personal benefit.
“Barry Minkow is again convicted of fraud, this time for stealing money from the parishioners of San Diego Community Bible Church,” U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said. “We stand vigilant against those who cheat and steal without regard to the consequences wrought on their victims and their communities.”
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