Jim Bakker fraud losers to collect $6.54 each

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | July 29, 2003 | Susan Dryman

[berserker]

The nearly 165,000 people around the world who lost money to former PTL televangelist Jim Bakker will soon get some money back: $6.54 each.

The deal approved by a judge Friday ends a 15-year battle in criminal and civil courts that dethroned the flamboyant preacher, defamed his television ministry and left hundreds of victims going to their graves without compensation.

U.S. District Court Judge Lacy Thornburg of North Carolina's Western District gave a Charlotte law firm 30 days to hand out the money to those who sued Bakker in civil court after he was found guilty in 1989 of wire and mail fraud. Jurors had said they believed he oversold the timeshares at Heritage USA, the now defunct Christian theme park in Charlotte. The flashy park once lured thousands of tourists.

Friday's ruling was part of a $1.22 million settlement offered by Bakker's former accountants, who settled out of court. Attorneys in the case had wanted to keep all the money for fees without the people who sued knowing it. The attorneys had said they didn't tell them because notification and mailing fees would have eaten up much of the fund, according to court documents.

The Bakker case was the beginning of the end for many TV preachers who thrived in the 1980s on cable stations beamed around the world. According to court documents, of the 164,817 people who sued Bakker, 3,272 lived in other countries. The $6.54 is still more than victims were ordered to receive from the criminal courts. In his original 1989 criminal trial in Charlotte, Bakker was sentenced to 45 years and ordered to pay $500,00 "restitution." But Bakker won a new criminal trial on appeal, and the case was heard again in Bryson City, N.C. After the second trial, his sentence was reduced, and U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen said he didn't have to pay anyone back. He served 4 1/2 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Miller of Asheville said at the time that not getting money for the victims was his "biggest regret." He declined to comment on Friday's ruling.

After prison, Bakker lived in a half-way house in Asheville and later rented a small farm about 30 miles away in Hendersonville, where he wrote his memoirs, "I Was Wrong." In the book, he never admitted criminal wrongdoing. He said in an interview that prison had humbled him and made him understand the real meaning of religion and the shortcomings of the "electronic church." He said he'd never live a lavish lifestyle again or make riches his goal.

According to Lamar Gudger of Asheville, one of his attorneys in the civil suit, Bakker and his second wife, Lori, now star in "The New Jim Bakker Show." It debuted 16 years to the date that Bakker hosted his last PTL (Praise The Lord) show from Charlotte. It's taped from a working restaurant called Studio City Cafe in the Midwest country music capital of Branson, Mo. In April, it began broadcasting in 93 countries.

A former Democratic U.S. congressman representing Western North Carolina, Gudger said he is "grateful" for the settlement.

Victims better act quickly. Although they've been waiting 15 years for compensation, the checks are good for only 60 days after they're issued.

[sgtbono2002]

And Tammy Faye his equally guilty partner in crime goes on painting her face and living a lavish life style.

[ml/nj]

The losers get $6.54 each. I'm guessing the lawyers get at least $300,000 each.

ML/NJ

[Sunshine Sister]

I find it ironic that the lawyers didn't want to notify the victims and wanted to keep the money for themselves. That say bundles about the profession of lawyers.

[JennysCool]

Attorneys in the case had wanted to keep all the money for fees without the people who sued knowing it. The attorneys had said they didn't tell them because notification and mailing fees would have eaten up much of the fund, according to court documents.

All lawyers are slime. Every single one.

[Rodney King]

Attorneys in the case had wanted to keep all the money for fees without the people who sued knowing it.

You think that lawyers as a whole couldn't sink any lower. Then, you wake up each morning and read the newspaper to find that yes, they have sunk lower.

[Bluntpoint]

In private, lawyers joke:

"There is no justice... There is Just Us!"

[Cyber Liberty]

Well, I suppose if a dozen or so folkis get their payments together they can buy Tammy Faye a can of pancake base.

[Austin Willard Wright]

This was a trumped up case. I am no fan of Bakker but he was nailed for ideological reasons.

[Clara Lou]

Anyone who donated to those two obvious fraunds is getting more than they deserve when they get that $6.54. Of course, Jim and Tammy have been replaced by the Old Goober and His Sobbing Wife with the Pink Wig on Top of Her Fake Platinum Hair. They appear to be flourishing. ~Gag~ P. T. Barnum was right.

[VoiceOfBruck]

The nearly 165,000 people around the world who lost money to former PTL televangelist Jim Bakker will soon get some money back: $6.54 each.

I'm picturing a scene like Steve Martin in "The Jerk," having to write out checks to all his customers who became crosseyed, then getting frustrated and taking off, wandering the streets with his chair and thermos...

[Bluntpoint]

Just another case where "clients" are really just the raw material for attorneys to enrich themselves.

And their punishment will be?

That's right, their brothers in the profession will sing a Chourus of:

FOR HE IS A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW!!!!!

[Clara Lou]

Bakker... was nailed for ideological reasons.
That's odd. I thought he was convicted for using donations for personal enrichment. He broke the law. [Do I remember incorrectly?]

[battlegearboat]

That's a big paint brush you're painting with.

[ChemistCat]

A pyramid scam!

[Bluntpoint]

Thousands who bought "Lifetime Partnerships" in the Bakkers' PTL Heritage USA real estate complex sued Jim Bakker. They sought a collective refund of more than $100 million, claiming their investments never made a profit. The partnerships included time-shares in lodging units which the Bakers oversold.

[Bluntpoint]

Speaking as an ex-attorney, her brush was not broad enough.

[Clara Lou]

G-R-E-E-D

[AppyPappy]

L-A-W-Y-E-R-S