WASHINGTON — Two television ministries still are refusing to comply fully with a U.S. Senate committee’s probe into their financial records. Televangelists Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar failed to provide the requested information by the March 31 deadline, according to a written release from Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the minority leader on the Finance Committee. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the committee’s chairman, and Grassley had asked Copeland and Dollar, plus fellow televangelist Eddie Long, to submit the documentation they are seeking by the end of March.
Long and three other televangelists have either complied, have begun doing so or have committed to fulfill the request, the written release from Grassley said. According to the release:
– Long will provide information April 15, his ministry reported.
– Randy and Paula White have shipped their initial set of answers, a lawyer said March 28.
– Benny Hinn submitted a second round of documents March 28.
– Joyce Meyer has fulfilled the request.
Grassley said he would continue his dialogue with the ministries of Copeland and Dollar.
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) welcomed the increased cooperation by the televangelists.
"Financial transparency is the cornerstone of financial integrity for nonprofits," said Ken Behr, president of the ECFA. While he appreciates the religious freedom concerns expressed by some, Behr said he believes ministries that comply with current regulations "actually improve donor confidence in our religious charities."
None of the six ministries is a member of the ECFA.
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