• Home
  • CBS News Investigates
NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2007

Televangelists Living Like Kings?

Senator Investigates Whether Prominent Ministers’ Churches Are Really Non-Profits

By Armen Keteyian
  • Play CBS Video Video Eye To Eye: Ministries Probed

    "Only On The Web": The watchdog group Trinity Foundation investigates the religious rich. Its founder, Ole Anthony, talks about his crusade to hold big-money ministries accountable.

  • Senator Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, has asked six televangelist ministries to provide financial statements and records for an investigation into possible impropriety.

    Senator Charles Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, has asked six televangelist ministries to provide financial statements and records for an investigation into possible impropriety.  (AP)

  • Blog Primary Source

    Armen Keteyian and his investigative team keep you informed daily on their blog.

  • E-MAIL US CBS News Investigates

    E-mail Armen Keteyian and the investigation team with your story ideas.

(CBS)  They are the faces of today's televangelists.

  • Kenneth Copeland boasts a world-wide following.
  • Bennie Hinn has multiple TV shows.
  • Paula White is a talk show regular.
  • Eddie Long received a faith-based grant from the Bush Administration.
  • Joyce Meyer has written more than 70 inspirational books.
  • Creflo Dollar's message has been called the "gospel of bling."

    Because they run churches they do not have to file tax forms with the IRS. So it's unclear how many millions - or billions - are collected every year.

    And it’s uncertain how all the money is spent, CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports.

    “Rolls Royces, Bentleys ... a marble commode in an expensive home: that’s a lot of money down the toilet,” said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.

    Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, capped a two-year investigation on Monday by requesting financial records from six top televangelists to see whether they are helping others - or themselves.

    Today, five of six denied any wrongdoing to CBS News. One did not respond to calls for comment.

    “My goal for reform is not necessarily to pass laws but to make sure the laws are being followed,” Grassley said.
    Read more on the probe from the CBS News Investigative Unit
    Watch more of Keteyian's interview with Sen. Grassley.
    Check out Primary Source, our investigative blog.
    Ole Anthony, director of the Trinity Foundation, has been on a 20-year-crusade to expose TV ministers who abuse the failth of others.

    “They live like multi-billionaires off the income from the poorest and most desperate people in our society,” he said.

    Some of these televangelists preach the so-called "gospel of prosperity."

    Now a powerful Republican senator has demanded they all provide financial records by early December - to determine if they are living that gospel as well.


    © MMVII, CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Share:
    Digg
    Yahoo! Buzz
    Mixx

    More From CBS News Investigates

    Add a Comment See all 117 Comments
    by candide777 November 9, 2007 5:17 PM EST
    Hey Poor! You don''t have to be poor anymore!! Jesus is here!! Send me a check (give until it hurts), and Jesus will pay you back ten-fold. The Bible tell us this! I guarantee it! If you really give to my ministry until it hurts! Trust Jesus!! Praise the Lord, someone''s going to be rich!!
    Reply to this comment
    by November 9, 2007 2:50 PM EST
    TV preacher Pastor John Hagee is one of the worst (San Antonio''''s Cornerstone Church). He publicaly documented his pay from his ministry at over $1 million per year. Now he hides his finances under his church, rather than report them as a seperate 501c3 for GETV. His family gets to determine his pay, since his Board of Directors was family-dominated (3 of 4 members are family). More info here:
    http://open-letter-for-pastor-hagee.org/
    Reply to this comment
    by feathered1 November 9, 2007 3:10 AM EST
    Jesus was and is not poor. How many homeless men''s coats do soldiers cast lots for in order to not tear them? Judas was Jesus'' accountant. Poor men do not need financial assistants to carry an empty bank account. Does anyone know how much Gold was given to Jesus at birth? LOOK When Mary spends her money in Alpha-Mart, does she later demand an accounting of where the clerk who served Mary spent her money? Who did Mary actually give the money to when the clerk took it? Keep in mind that Mary was not under gun threat to shop at Alpha-Mart in the first place. Taxes are mandatory, giving is not. Regardless of who the clerk is (neighborhood Pastor Charlie, Dr. Creflo Dollar, the Food Bank Volunteer or Joyce Meyer, etc.), any money collected is (in all actuality) given to & belongs to God-- THE OWNER, not the employee. Any one know what kind of sink Oprah or Bill Gates have and how much they spent for it? Did a poor person pay for it? Mary spent her last dollar for a loaf of bread so that the owner of Alpha-Mart could have leather seats. Is that right? Mary was hungry and she gladly paid the price.

    Reply to this comment
    by koondogswoman November 9, 2007 2:02 AM EST
    I am concerned with this for the way it portrays Christians. First, most of these pastors have written books that have brought them much income. If they are spending their money on things they want - how are they different than any American? Without the contributions of Faith-based ministries this country would be a mess. These churches donate alot for the needy in America and all over the world. Jesus was not a poor man- he had Judas-the treasurer. If you have no money- no need for a treasurer. When Jesus was crucified- they cast lots for his robe for the fact it was an expensive cloth. I feel that this country needs to focus on the BILLIONS major oil companies are boasting while the average citizen is struggling to get to work. The credit card and financial institues that charge ridiculous fees and interest and prey on the poor. The medical industry that makes BILLIONS while our elderly have to choose food or life saving meds. We all know that most business small or large use all means to avoid paying taxes with write offs and do not show all income to avoid paying the ridiculous taxes that this nation has placed on the working man. Lord help us to get our priorities in order and focus on true needs of the people of America.
    Reply to this comment
    by debo1718 November 9, 2007 12:48 AM EST
    God gave COUNTRIES to people, Solomons wealth was staggering ! Joyce Meyer ministry supports (fully) 60 orphanages including college educations for every child--benny hinn likewise, Copelands same betcha didn''t hear that on the news
    Reply to this comment
    by lukewarmchur November 8, 2007 3:01 PM EST
    TO, COUNTINGONU2, Yes you are right, it is YOUR faith that makes you whole. Now I don''t know any thing about the case on Bonnie Parker''s death. SSOIL6327"s. But at the same time if they where TRUE Christians, they should have believed, by faith. But if I understand correct, they sued the Copeland''s, That is a sign they were NOT Christians from the begin with. For as a Christian I can not, and will not sue any body. For God forbids such actions. Christians are to forgive, even our enemies. But as for the Copeland''s, well, what does the scriptures say? Where your treasures are there is your heart also. To much wealth on earth is not of God. For Jesus had not even a pillow to lay his head on. The apostels spend more time in jail and took many beatings. And to this very day in Europe I was persecuted, by none believers. Take a look at the website; luke-warm-church.org. Herman
    Reply to this comment
    by wallacrr November 8, 2007 3:29 AM EST
    These ministers don''t pay taxes on the millions of dollars they receive. Now everyone is saying that they should be treated like movie stars, rappers, and everyone else with money. these people pay taxes. I pay taxes.

    I am very happy in my life! And for all of the people who support such ministries I am not jealous of these people. They are competing against each other to see who can get the most stuff. What happened to standing up for something other than who can get the next private plane.

    A lie cannot live.
    Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
    Martin Luther King Jr.
    Reply to this comment
    by candide777 November 8, 2007 3:21 AM EST
    And why in the world would they need or even want a marble commode?
    Why do they need 50thousand square foot homes and multiple vacation homes just as large?
    Surely they can get by on just 1 mil a year, instead of the obvious multi-hundred millions they squander on themselves BEFORE a dime goes to help the needy...
    Posted by DylanXXV at 06:19 PM : Nov 07, 2007

    Exactly, these fat cats get on the tube and gay bash night and day, but they seem to forget the Bible''s admonition that it''s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter into heaven. It''s sickening that people actually think these guys are "believers." Any dishonest atheist knows that the easiest way to get rich in this country is to find JESUS!
    Reply to this comment
    by candide777 November 8, 2007 3:16 AM EST
    Besides bitterness and unforgiveness is one of the quickest ways to separate yourself from the love of God.
    Posted by countingonu2 at 09:40 PM : Nov 07, 2007

    Ummm, are you on drugs? These preachers make themselves rich by preying (no pun intended) on the poorest, most elderly, most vulnerable people in society? Do you really think it''s okay that they are out buying prostitutes while the victims of their fraud are eating cat food? You need to do some more crack. It might bring back around to reality.
    Reply to this comment
    by glaswolf November 8, 2007 2:32 AM EST
    When christians refuse to do business with non christians, is that blackballing? When religious folk alienate atheists based upon belief and not functional solutions for community activity, is this not blackballing?
    Reply to this comment
    by lukewarmchur November 8, 2007 1:42 AM EST
    About the TV evangelists. Like Joyce Meyer, God woke me up one morning to turn on the TV. That''s not my norm. And here is Joyce Meyer at her podium, saying. "Do you think I got this ministry by being a nice submissive wife to my husband??? NO!!! I just took it, and so can you." A clear statement out of her own mouth that she is in violation with God''s word. It is written; I permit no woman to teach/preach in the church. God told me afterward, that she is a transformed minister,...Satan to transform himself and his ministers into the angels of light,... See 2. Cor. 11:13-14. Yes, Joyce Meyer is the archangel of Satan, deceiving millions, especially women. And ALL these TV preachers are only in for the money, it is written, their god is their belly. They also preach another gospel,with modern translations, counterfeit bibles of Satan. It is written let him be accursed who preaches another gospel. NONE of these TV preachers are servants of God. And if they don''t repent, they will hear the Lord say, "depart from me I never knew you". Take a look at a website, luke-warm-church.org, and see the truth. For God will bring these TV preachers down, and I hope they see this as a warning from God to REPENT. Jesus had not even a pillow to call His own, the apostles were not floating in money.They spend much time in jail, and took beatings. TRUE Christians were persecuted. And I was one of them. They are putting christianity to a shame. Herman, a watchman to the churches.
    Reply to this comment
    by countingonu2 November 8, 2007 12:40 AM EST
    Get saved and get into the Word of God and you will see that God wants HIS children to be prosperous. People who are angry and outraged by the blessings the Copelands, Dollars and the Meyers enjoy are just jealous. If you don''t think they should have the money, cars and jets keep your money in your wallet! :) People who want to quote verses of the bible to support their distaste for the wealth should remember that Jesus was accused and crucified because lies, hate and jealousy. In John 7:7 Jesus said, The world cannot [be expected to] hate you, but it does hate Me because I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil. Jesus said in John 15:18, If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. In Luke 6:38 the bible says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall MEN give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
    My family gives to these ministries because we believe the Word of God.
    As far as SSOIL6327''s claim the Copelands were responsible for Bonnie Parker''s death, Jesus states time and time again that healing is according to YOUR faith. It is unfortunate that she died, but going after the Copelands on some sort of "vendetta" is not going to bring her back. Besides bitterness and unforgiveness is one of the quickest ways to separate yourself from the love of God.

    Reply to this comment
    by dylanxxv November 8, 2007 12:17 AM EST
    Much of the money these people mentioned recieve is from books they write. Does anyone have a problem with Bill Clinton or Al Gore receiving millions from the books they write? They use their fame, notariety, position, whatever you want to call it to sell books. Why shouldn''''t preachers? There is nothing wrong with being a millionaire.

    It is unrealistic to expect anyone to give all they have away. What about their children and their retirement? Should they not be able to invest for their own future and the future of their posterity.

    Posted by paulie91864 at 06:34 PM : Nov 07, 2007


    Are you serious? 99.9% of the money they "make" (as you call it) is from donations from people like you who could really care that a good portion of the money they "make" goes in their own pockets...I do not care if bubba or bore make 99 trillion from a book...I would care if bubba or bore scamed the money off their followers as these so called men of God do...

    As for the second part...No...It is NOT unrealistic to expect them to give away the money donated to them to do Gods work...What IS unrealistic is that they live very, very high on the hog while very little of the money is actually used for what it was intended for...
    Your saying it''s OK if they spend 90.00 or 95.00 out of every 100.00 on themselves?
    Reply to this comment
    by krisparker November 7, 2007 11:23 PM EST
    The family of (Bonnie Parker)would like to thank Trinity Foundation (Mr.Oley and Pete Evens),who showed us there was a light at the end of the long dark tunnel that our lives had become.We will never forget the ultimate price mom(Bonnie Parker) paid to the Copeland''s,or why she made the fatal decision all those years ago to put her life in their hands.Also we send our thanks to all that helped us through this tragedy.
    Reply to this comment
    by krisparker November 7, 2007 10:35 PM EST
    This subject is not just about the misuse of money!People have put their lives on the line believing the bull these people dish out, and some in the end it cost them their life!Your most likely thinking I don''t know what I''m talking about, and you would like proof of this outlandish accusation. Ok here it is. In you search engine type in Kenneth Copeland jet,several stories will come up.Go to www.wfaa.com(Brett Shipp)or any other you choose. www.sufferthechildren.com also is quite informative also.My mother was Bonnie Parker,and we miss so very much!!!!!!!! If anyone would like to argue or talk with me you may do so at southernsoil_6327@yahoo.com
    Reply to this comment
    by likeitis5050 November 7, 2007 9:55 PM EST
    Someone please begin an investigation on why Congress will not submit to term limits and ending in-house votes that give them all pay raises...please. We already know ''properity ministries'' are prosperous...they flaunt it as part of the evidence of their ministry. If these people are too thick to understand televangelists prosper because viewers make them wealthy, it''s their own stupidity at work. I want to know why Congressmen refuse to acknowledge the overwhelming demand of taxpayers to limit all terms and to stop giving themselves pay raises at what ever point in time they so choose. Seems the first order of business after elections somehow manages to be salary increases for Congress. Why? The focus needs to be on them, and not the obvious wealth of ''prosperity ministers''.
    Reply to this comment
    by paulie91864 November 7, 2007 9:34 PM EST
    Much of the money these people mentioned recieve is from books they write. Does anyone have a problem with Bill Clinton or Al Gore receiving millions from the books they write? They use their fame, notariety, position, whatever you want to call it to sell books. Why shouldn''t preachers? There is nothing wrong with being a millionaire. What makes people think that preachers should be poor? I guess the Catholic doctrine of poverty is next to Godliness has brainwashed use to think that anyone who serves God as their life''s work needs to be poor and give away everything they have.

    It is unrealistic to expect anyone to give all they have away. What about their children and their retirement? Should they not be able to invest for their own future and the future of their posterity. I think it is ridiculous to have a senate investigation for this. Isn''t the IRS empowered to audit these organizations/minitries and revoke their non-profit status if they are not complying. Is the senator saying he has no faith in the IRS? I wonder what would turn up if he were audited?
    Reply to this comment
    by dylanxxv November 7, 2007 9:19 PM EST
    I''ve been saying for years...The only difference in jimmy boy baker the crook and these other televangelists is that he was caught with his hands in the cookie jar and the others haven''t...Why do any of them need Rolls Royces or Bentleys? And why in the world would they need or even want a marble commode?
    Why do they need 50thousand square foot homes and multiple vacation homes just as large?

    Surely they can get by on just 1 mil a year, instead of the obvious multi-hundred millions they squander on themselves BEFORE a dime goes to help the needy...
    Reply to this comment
    by November 7, 2007 9:04 PM EST
    TV Pastor John Hagee''s (Cornerstone Church, San Antonio) financial abuse has been well documented on the internet... see "Open Letter to Pastor John Hagee." The problem is, there are no laws against greedy Pastors. Those leaders of 501c3''s are required to have "reasonable" salaries, but "reasonable" has never been defined by the government. Pastor Hagee has public records of being paid over $1 million $$$ from his ministries. Pastor Hagee has since folded his TV operations into his church so he no longer publicly discloses his financial abuse.
    Reply to this comment
    by ericmichael1 November 7, 2007 8:33 PM EST
    How would Paul view this?

    He left the Pharisees, who pursued the same lavish lifestyle as these tele-evangelists, to become...

    A Tentmaker.

    Jesus said himself: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites..."

    Woe to anyone who has made a business out of religious activity.
    Reply to this comment
    See all 117 Comments

    • Exclusive Webshow

    Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie." Watch Now

    Latest News
    News in Pictures
    Scroll Left Scroll Right
    Connect with CBS News

    Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: