Previously, we have covered the trial of Anthony and Harriet Jinwright. They have been convicted of tax evasion and are presently mounting a defense. By presenting the updates here, it is not meant to implicate the Jinwrights as leaders of a “religious cult”. It is just curious to me the loyalty of the followers and the resulting flow of previously unreported income and material “blessings”. The first update below is from May 2, 2011.
‘Charlotte Talks’ about Jinwright trial and prosperity gospel
By Qcity Staff – May 2, 2011 source link: http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/articles/charlotte_talks_about_jinwright_trial041903552.cfm
“Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman, who covered the 2010 tax evasion trial of Anthony and Harriet Jinwright for Qcitymetro.com, will be a guest Tuesday morning on WFAE radio’s “Charlotte Talks” with host Mike Collins. …. Bowman, who wrote an article about the Jinwrights in the May issue of Charlotte Magazine, covered nearly every day of the five-week trial, which ended with the co-pastors of Greater Salem Church in west Charlotte being found guilty on multiple count. Both are now serving prison sentences in West Virginia. Fionn-Bowman described the experience as “exhausting” yet gratifying.
She said she stayed up late each night reading online comments about the trial and came to realize that many Qcitymetro readers identified with some of the issues uncovered during the trial, especially issues relating to pastoral gifts, “love offerings” and the role money now plays in some African American churches. “It amazed me,” she said. “I started to realize that this wasn’t just a Greater Salem issue. I started noticing a conversation thread out there”
Our second update is about the appeal process. The attorneys for the Jinwrights are mounting a defense based on the “church autonomy doctrine” in the First Amendment. This whole process will be interesting to follow.
Jinwright lawyers given more time to prepare appeal
By Glenn Burkins – July 26, 2011 source link: http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/articles/jinwright_lawyers_given_more_time_to_prepare_appeal012009440.cfm
“Lawyers for Anthony and Harriet Jinwright have been given additional time — until Aug. 29 — to file opening briefs in the couple’s appeal of their tax-evasion convictions.
The Fourth Circuit court in Richmond had set an original deadline of June 13. But citing the voluminous transcripts and the numerous pieces of evidence associated with the 19-day trial, lawyers for the Jinwrights first requested and received an extension until July 28. That date earlier this month was extended until late August. …. In seeking the latest extension, the lawyers cited more than 7,000 pages of transcripts and 800 government exhibits.
According to an IRS agent who testified at the Jinwrights’ sentencing hearing, the former co-pastors of Greater Salem Church in west Charlotte failed to report more than $2.3 million in income between 1991 and 2008. Witnesses testified that the couple received luxury cars, expensive trips and “love offerings” from Greater Salem and sometimes took cash home in bags.”
By far, the most extensive coverage online is found at www.qcitymetro.com – link here: http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/index.cfm/channel/F711AC3E-D029-7127-5D9F500FA49D138F
Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.
Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.
(Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 326.