A former Alabama Baptist pastor could face significant prison time and fines after being convicted Jan. 21 of 48 counts of money laundering, mail fraud, bribery and conspiracy.
Samuel Pettagrue, former pastor of Sardis Missionary Baptist Church, Birmingham, in Birmingham Baptist Association, was found guilty by a federal jury of an arrangement with state Sen. E.B. McClain, who represents Jefferson County, that guided state grants toward his nonprofit charities aimed at helping poor senior adults and providing tutoring for teens and adults studying for their GED. McClain was also found guilty of the charges and lost his Senate seat with the conviction.
According to The Birmingham News, under a forfeiture count, the two must pay back almost $760,000 that McClain passed to Pettagrue for those community programs. As part of the arrangement, McClain got 40 percent of the money. Both he and Pettagrue also face a maximum of 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each mail fraud and money laundering count; 10 years and $250,000 for the bribery count; and five years and $250,000 for the conspiracy count, according to the News.
“This sends a very strong message that these kind of cases will be dealt with with tough prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Alice Martin.
The two will be sentenced May 15. (TAB)
Share with others: