Gregory Clarke, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Birmingham, was convicted July 20 of filing false income tax returns.
The penalty is up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, or both. Sentencing is set for Oct. 22.
Jurors rejected Clarke’s claims that much of the money he received was gifts, or “love offerings,” and not compensation for services he provided, according to The Birmingham News. The jury found him guilty on three counts.
Prosecutors said Clarke underreported $110,000 in earned income during 2000, 2001 and 2002 and concocted a convoluted manner to deceive the government, funneling earned income into accounts, the News reported.
During the four-day trial, the pastor’s finances and his church’s were scrutinized. New Hope Baptist has a membership of about 6,000 and campuses in West End and Avondale.
“The message is if you file a false income tax return, you’re breaking the law regardless of who you are,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Lloyd Peeples. (TAB)
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