Feds press megachurch to return $300K donated by Michigan's largest Ponzi schemer

M Live ^ | April 04, 2015 | John Agar

[Kandy Atz]

I agree with you. Even if not legally obligated, they should give it back. God doesn’t need stolen money. If they are really about enlarging His kingdom, they should consider what keeping the money does to their testimony. They should consider how they appear to the victims. I am certain my congregation would not keep the money and we are a tiny group of only 100-120 people. Even so, we would find a way to repay every penny.

I tend to agree with this. What would Love do? Be a Light to the world, set an example for others. There's a higher Law and purpose at work in this situation. I would give it directly to identified and verified victims, not to any government agency. And I would do it quietly, without media mention.

[HarleyD]

I think it's inappropriate to ask the church to return these funds.

However, that being said, I agree with “b”. It would certainly be a great testimony from the church to help those who lost their savings and now are in desperate straits. After all, isn't church giving meant to relieve suffering?

[PAR35]

30 years in federal prison. He is in a medium-security facility

I thought 30 years would usually buy you a ticket to something more than medium security.

The ABA seems to agree. "Sentence Length. Unless the PSF has been waived, a male offender with more than ten years remaining to serve will be housed in at least a low security facility; a male offender with more than eighteen years remaining to serve will be housed in at least a medium security facility; a male offender with more than twenty-five years remaining to serve (including nonparolable life sentences) will be housed in a high security facility."

http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/1997_spring_bos_ellis.html

He must have spread his money wisely.

[PAR35]

Although not directly applicable, I’d draw an analogy from the Bankruptcy Code:

Section 548(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code dealing with fraudulent transfers provides:

” (2) A transfer of a charitable contribution to a qualified religious or charitable entity or organization shall not be considered to be a transfer covered under paragraph (1)(B) in any case in which—

(A) the amount of that contribution does not exceed 15 percent of the gross annual income of the debtor for the year in which the transfer of the contribution is made; or

(B) the contribution made by a debtor exceeded the percentage amount of gross annual income specified in subparagraph (A), if the transfer was consistent with the practices of the debtor in making charitable contributions.”
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/548