Merriman's church donations may be tainted [Mormon Ponzi schemer's tithe monies ill-gotten?]

The Denver Post ^ | 04/24/2009 | Miles Moffeit

[Alex Murphy]

As Shawn Merriman's alleged Ponzi scheme piled up millions during the past 15 years, another party likely benefited from his fraudulent fortune: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Arapahoe County investor, accused of bilking dozens of investors of up to $20 million, served as a Mormon bishop for five years, making tithing payments — composing 10 percent of his income — to the church, LDS officials acknowledged Thursday.

So the Utah-based church could eventually find itself paying back Merriman's donations to his victims if the funds are ultimately deemed by a court to be "ill-gotten" or fraudulent gains, said church spokeswoman Kim Farah.

"While (the church) has no intention to keep any monies that were illegally obtained by a contributor, the church will wait until all the facts are in before making a decision," she said.

The church declined to disclose how much Merriman, who has not responded to interview requests, contributed through tithing.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed civil charges of securities fraud against Merriman, and a criminal investigation is under way. Victims and government investigators said the 46-year-old confessed his scheme.

The LDS church has previously returned tithing payments from members found to have violated the law.

A big question, Mormon officials say, is how much, if any, of the contributions paid to the church were the result of fraud, Farah said. And if so, to whom should the money be returned.

It's unclear whether Merriman had another source of income. SEC investigators say he cheated dozens of investors since 1994.

Up to 10 of those investors were Mormons who entrusted their money with him in part because he was a church member.

There are other ways Merriman's scheme may have steered money toward the church. He used part of his proceeds to amass hundreds of works by Renaissance artists and works by Rembrandt, displaying them in churches or church-sponsored facilities.

It's possible, some LDS members say, that his exhibits lured other donations to the church merely out of appreciation.

"I don't recall if there were any donations received (as a result of his exhibits)," said Bob Meldrum, a volunteer for the Parker Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Who knows, somebody could have."

Merriman was excommunicated by the church in March.

[reaganaut]

And like some other scandals (pedophile Priests), this is NOT an isolated incident. Here is a very good book that shows how the CULTURE of the LDS promotes financial fraud even against other members:

The Darker Side of Virtue: Corruption, Scandal, and the Mormon Empire (Hardcover)
by Anson Shupe (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Darker-Side-Virtue-Corruption-Scandal/dp/0879756543

[Old Mountain man]

“gods in their own universes?”

[reaganaut]

Reread the post OMM, it says “gods OF their own universes”.

You know, EXALTATION, progressing in the afterlife to become a god yourself? I am sure that, as an LDS member, you are familiar with the doctrine, but if not I would be more than happy to post some quotes for you.

[Elsie]

 

Mormonism TEACHES that their Priesthood HAS special God ordained power BECAUSE they are Mormon.

 

 

Grasshopper; they are TRAINED this way!!

 

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Professor Robert Millet        teaching at the Mission Prep Club in 2004  http://newsnet.byu.edu/video/18773/  <-- Complete and uneditted

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Timeline...    Subject...

 

0:59            "Anti-Mormons..."

1:16            "ATTACK the faith you have..."

2:02           "We really aren't obligated to answer everyone's questions..."

3:57           "You already know MORE about God and Christ and the plan of salvation than any who would ATTACK you."