What is Christian journalism lacking? Court reporters! Some of the biggest crimes in the religious world are NOT properly reported because no journalist obtained depositions/court transcripts and then the case gets closed.
Philanthropists can close this void by partnering with media to fund court reporters.
Bloggers, YouTubers, and social media commentators may also fill this gap by researching court documents, attending court hearings, and interviewing attorneys to find out how laws are applied. Religion reporters may enhance their investigative skills by covering court cases.
The following cases, while not an exhaustive list, may be viewed as opportunities to examine allegations of corruption in the church world and to learn about America’s court system.
Class Action Lawsuits
Two class action suits could create court precedents for requiring churches and ministries to return donations based on allegations the donors were deceived about how the funds were spent or invested. It may take several years for these class action cases to be resolved.
Gateway Church of Southlake, Texas
Former donors of Gateway Church have filed a class action lawsuit (Leach, et al., v. Gateway Church, et al) seeking the return of donations. The court plaintiffs allege that Gateway Global Ministries spent less than $3 million annually on missions when the total should have exceeded $15 million in recent years.
The class action lawsuit was filed in federal court. The court complaint and docket are viewable on PACER, the federal court website.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
In 2019, whistleblowers David and Lars Nielsen submitted a complaint to the IRS accusing the Mormon Church of misusing donations to build a massive $100 billion investment fund.
The Nielsens claimed that for more than 20 years the Mormon investment company Ensign Peak Advisors stockpiled profits rather than spending the money on missions.
Following the disclosure, Mormon church members began filing lawsuits to recover previous donations.
In July 2024, five cases against the Mormon church were merged, resulting in the creation of one of the largest restricted donation fraud cases in American history.
When donors give with the expectation their donations will be spent on a specific purpose, and the non-profit deliberately refuses to honor donor intent, restricted donation fraud occurs.
Some Mormon donors gave based on the belief their donations would help the poor, as seen by the following screenshot.
(Screenshot from Mormon Church website introduced as evidence in amended court complaint.)
The case Chappell et al v. Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was also filed in federal court, and its progress can be monitored on PACER.
Divorce Case
Benny and Suzanne Hinn
In July 2024, Suzanne Hinn filed a divorce petition in Hillsborough County. Florida is a no-fault divorce, equitable distribution state.
Suzanne’s divorce petition requested the court require televangelist Benny Hinn to pay for her legal fees, “including forensic accountant fees.”
If approved by the court, Benny would pay for an accountant to search for any assets transferred or hidden during the two years prior to Suzanne’s filing for divorce.
Libel/Defamation
T.D. Jakes
In November, The Potter’s House senior pastor T.D. Jakes sued Duane Youngblood for libel after Youngblood claimed that Jakes attempted to sexually assault him.
Jakes’ complaint says, ” From start to finish, Youngblood’s tale of grooming and attempted sexual assault at the hands of Bishop Jakes is patently false.”
Youngblood is attempting to have Jakes’ lawsuit dismissed as a violation of Pennsylvania’s anti-SLAPP law. The acronym SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation and is used to describe lawsuits that are filed to intimidate or silence individuals, while the facts of the case are not on the side of the plaintiff.
Gates’ case was filed in a federal court and may be monitored on PACER.
James MacDonald
The former senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, filed several libel suits in Illinois of which two are currently active.
In December 2019, James MacDonald sued radio show host Mancow Muller and Muller’s employer Cumulus Media, accusing Muller of falsely claiming MacDonald planned to plant child porn on Muller’s computer. According to the lawsuit, “Such statements were false, were known to be false by Muller when spoken, and constitute defamation per se.”
The case has dragged on for five years. The discovery process was supposed to be completed in May 2023, but received an extension into 2024.
In 2020, MacDonald sued attorney Sally Wagenmaker, her law firm Wagenmaker & Oberly and the accounting firm Schechter, Dokken, Kanter CPAs for libel.
Attorney Sally Wagenmaker authored a report on behalf Harvest Bible Chapel which claimed MacDonald improperly benefitted from church funds.
In 2024, the Illinois Appellate Court reversed a prior ruling that found Wagenmaker’s law firm in contempt. The court also rejected a legal argument from MacDonald for seeking “protected communications” of Harvest Bible Chapel’s attorneys. The court determined the communications were protected by client-attorney privilege.
Case management meetings are scheduled for April 2025.
Updates for both cases are available through the Cook County Circuit Court website.
Sex Abuse Case
Jackson Gatlin / Vineyard Christian Fellowship Duluth
In November 2024, victims of sexual abuse filed nine civil cases against Vineyard Christian Fellowship Duluth, its former youth minister Jackson Gatlin, Jackson’s parents Michael and Brenda Gatlin, and Vineyard USA.
Jackson Gatlin is serving a 13-year sentence.
The church’s new leadership has provided a positive response, drawing attention from both The Christian Post and MinistryWatch:
“No one ever wants to be sued in civil court. Yet, we welcome this case and pray that it can bring healing and justice for the victims. Further, a case like this can help determine the relative responsibility of various parties.”
Case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Unpaid Taxes
Kevin Adell
In 2023, The United States filed a lawsuit attempting to seize The Word Network president Kevin Adell’s $4.4 million Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-home, alleging the radio and TV broadcaster owes almost $18 million in estate and gift taxes, following the death of his father, Franklin Adell in 2006.
The case against Adell might be heard at the end of 2025, according to a motion to extend filed in October.
(Screenshot: In October the court parties proposed this schedule.)
The IRS revoked the tax-exempt status of World Religious Relief, Adell’s previous non-profit organization in 2015. Before the revocation, Adell created Word Network Church which currently serves as the parent organization of The Word Network. In 2024, Adell announced the network is for sale.
Court updates for United States of America v. Adell et al are available on PACER.
Case that Might be Filed in 2025
John-Paul “JP” Miller
After obtaining a sealed search warrant, the FBI raided JP Miller’s home on November 1, 2024. Miller is the former pastor of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. So far, the FBI has not disclosed what evidence it was seeking during the raid.
In April, JP Miller’s wife Mica committed suicide. Mica’s family alleges JP emotionally abused his wife, causing her depression.
Before the Justice Department can file criminal charges against Miller, it must present evidence to a grand jury to obtain an indictment.