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IRS raids televangelist Benny Hinn's office in Grapevine
WFAA ^ | 4/26/2017 | Lauren Zakalik

Posted on 04/26/2017 6:07:01 PM PDT by Gamecock

GRAPEVINE -- Federal investigators raided the Grapevine headquarters of televangelist Benny Hinn Wednesday afternoon. A federal source told WFAA that it has been a lengthy IRS investigation, although agents at the scene were vague about the scope and target of the search warrant.

"Today, we are here on official business, we are conducting a search warrant on the premises, basically that’s all I can tell you today," said Special Agent Michael Moseley with IRS Criminal Investigations. State documents confirm the location belongs to Hinn's ministry. Federal investigators with the IRS and Postal Inspection Police have been entering and leaving the building in the 3400 block of William D. Tate Freeway. Crews have been taking boxes and other items out of the trucks and placing them inside the building.

“We are primarily investigating Title 26 which is tax evasion and general fraud against the government," said Mosely. A special agent says the IRS Criminal Investigations Department typically looks into tax evasion and general fraud against the government.

Hinn has a TV program called "This Is Your Day," which according to the website is one of the world’s most-watched Christian programs. He is known for his so-called healing powers during his church services.

Ole Anthony has been tracking Hinn for more than two decades. Anthony runs a non-profit called the Trinity Foundation, which monitors religious fraud. He's turned over hundreds of documents to the IRS. “The IRS has been loathed to investigate any religious organization," said Anthony. Anthony says Hinn has raised millions of dollars through his healing ministries. He said he believes some of the donations are mailed to offices that were searched Wednesday. “There is more fraud in the name of God, not just in America, but in the world, than any other kind of fraud,” said Anthony.

In 1999, Hinn announced he was building a $30 million healing center in Irving and raised millions of dollars. The center was never built.

“What happened to the money? Same thing that always happens. It goes to meet the needs of Benny and his confidants," Anthony said.

Hinn's spokespeople at the time told The Dallas Morning News the money was either returned to the people who donated or used for other religious purposes. This marks the second time the IRS has looked into Hinn. They also conducted an investigation in 2005.

According to Hinn's social media and online schedule, he is in France at this time. WFAA reached out for comment. A woman told WFAA they had no comment.


TOPICS: General Discusssion
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To: Gamecock
Seems "Dateline" or some such show did an expose of him a number of years ago. Apparently nothing much came of that.

I was surprised that Jimmy Swaggard is still preaching, though nothing on the scale prior to the scandals.

21 posted on 04/26/2017 7:16:32 PM PDT by apocalypto
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To: RushIsMyTeddyBear

It sounds like the informer is just a spinoff of that Quack Watch guy.


22 posted on 04/26/2017 7:19:22 PM PDT by Karl Spooner
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To: SkyDancer
They don’t realize it’s God’s money they’re stealing.

They didn't pay their taxes on the money they stole... that's where the government gets mad!

23 posted on 04/26/2017 7:25:54 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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Comment #24 Removed by Moderator

To: Gamecock
PTL

Praise The Lord and Pass the Loot!

Leni

25 posted on 04/26/2017 7:32:02 PM PDT by MinuteGal (GO TRUMP !!!.....GO PENCE !!!.....GO USA !!!)
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To: Gamecock

Benny Hinn Carefully Applies ‘Not Of This World’ Sticker To Ferrari 458 Italia

DANA POINT, CA—Televangelist and prosperity preacher Benny Hinn excitedly emerged from one of his mansions Monday morning in order to put his recently acquired ‘Not of this World’ sticker onto the bumper of one of his Ferraris—namely, the 458 Italia Coupe in Rosso Scuderia—sources confirmed.

“There we go,” he reportedly said to himself after applying the decal and standing back to admire his handiwork. “I really gotta get one of these for my jet too.”
When pressed by reporters for the meaning of the sticker, Hinn was ready.
“We as Christians need to have our minds on things above, not on things below,” the preacher worth approximately $40 million said. “This sticker is a reminder for me and everyone I interact with that I’m living in this world as a sojourner. Now everyone I blow by on the freeway in my ridiculously expensive supercar will know that my real citizenship is in heaven.”
“The kingdom of God isn’t about what is seen, but what is unseen,” he added before getting in the $300,000 car and speeding away to his next crusade event.

The Babylon Bee is Your Trusted Source For Christian News Satire.

http://babylonbee.com/news/benny-hinn-carefully-applies-not-world-sticker-ferrari-458-italia/


26 posted on 04/26/2017 8:29:10 PM PDT by fungoking (Tis a pleasure to live in the 0zarks)
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To: Gamecock

EXCELLENT!!!
That lying piece of sh*t showman is a disgrace.


27 posted on 04/26/2017 9:11:30 PM PDT by dadgum (Overjoyed to be the Pariah.)
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To: Ken H
Every time I see that name, I get 'Yaketysax' playing in my head. (yeah, I know that was Benny Hill's song)

Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone.

28 posted on 04/26/2017 9:32:04 PM PDT by KosmicKitty (Waiting for inspirations)
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To: KosmicKitty

Police chase with Yakety Sax theme. Hilarious => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUYbu5DJA1U


29 posted on 04/26/2017 9:45:51 PM PDT by Ken H (Best French election ever!)
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To: Hammerhead

I think of Simon the Sorcerer from Acts chapter 8 when I see the mega church pastors relate to money as if sending them money buys you blessings from God.


30 posted on 04/26/2017 9:56:16 PM PDT by AndyTheBear
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To: Gamecock

Benny Hinn seems like a harmless clown right up to the part of the show where he asks for money and then a demonic cast comes over his face.


31 posted on 04/26/2017 10:51:53 PM PDT by BestPresidentEver
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To: Gamecock

So many Elmer Gantrys still around.


32 posted on 04/26/2017 11:00:47 PM PDT by luvbach1 (I hope Trump runs roughshod over the inevitable obstuctionists, Dems, progs, libs, or RINOs!)
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To: SkyDancer
They don’t realize it’s God’s money they’re stealing.

Unfortunately, they do.

33 posted on 04/26/2017 11:02:16 PM PDT by luvbach1 (I hope Trump runs roughshod over the inevitable obstuctionists, Dems, progs, libs, or RINOs!)
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To: BestPresidentEver

That guy named Prince is another phony.


34 posted on 04/26/2017 11:03:40 PM PDT by luvbach1 (I hope Trump runs roughshod over the inevitable obstuctionists, Dems, progs, libs, or RINOs!)
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To: BestPresidentEver

Back in the 90’s, my Parents lived next door to Benny Hinn’s Bodyguard.

Nice guy with a nice Family. He said he traveled the world with Benny and he thought his Ministry was the real deal.

True believer.


35 posted on 04/26/2017 11:23:37 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative (The way Liberals carry on about Deportation, you would think "Mexico" was Spanish for "Auschwitz".)
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To: AndyTheBear

“Simon the Sorcerer”

He didn’t fly. :)

From The Silver Chalice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dHzAn1vhl0


36 posted on 04/27/2017 1:13:56 AM PDT by JohnnyP (Thinking is hard work (I stole that from Rush).)
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To: Gamecock

Benny Hinn?
How about investigating for real the Clintoon Global initiative?
Stoopids.


37 posted on 04/27/2017 3:21:45 AM PDT by Joe Boucher (President Trump makes obammy look like the punk he is.)
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To: SkyDancer

I had a distant relative who was part of Hinn’s entourage. Committed suicide years ago. These people prey off of the unstable part of the population.


38 posted on 04/27/2017 11:19:17 AM PDT by nobamanomore
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To: luvbach1

God has no use for money.

Satan is the ruler of this world.


39 posted on 04/27/2017 11:25:18 AM PDT by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: nobamanomore

Great granma’s on SS with a fiver to send.


40 posted on 04/27/2017 11:49:39 AM PDT by SkyDancer (You know they invented wheelbarrows to teach FAA inspectors to walk on their hind legs.)
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