WASHINGTON — Treasury Department officials have dropped the threat of a $34,000 fine against the Alliance of Baptists, according to a letter the group’s attorney received May 17.
The department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) threatened the fine for alleged violations of the federal government’s economic embargo against Cuba. The department alleged that five Alliance churches, including Baptist Church of the Covenant, Birmingham, that sent missions teams to Cuba under the organization’s travel license had engaged in forbidden economic activities.
The letter said OFAC officials withdrew their recommendation to impose the fine. According to Stan Hastey, the Alliance’s minister of ecumenical relations and mission partnerships, treasury officials found that none of the five churches engaged in forbidden activity under the terms of the license.
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