Senate audit critical of Megachurch Pastors and their McMansions
It used to be Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous… now it’s life style of the Religious Con Men.
That was also the case with WFAA three years ago, when News 8 attempted to get answers about the apparent personal use of the$ 20 million ministry jet. Flight records obtained by News 8 told the story of multiple trips for what appeared to be private purposes to Hawaii, to an exotic game ranch in South Texas and to a ski resort in Colorado.
The Copelands declined to comment to News 8 during the 2007 investigation. Senate Finance Committee investigators looking into his ministry finances were also rejected, making a thorough audit next to impossible.
What the committee was able to uncover was an extravagant lifestyle featuring a $6 million mansion and an aircraft.
Auditors were able to determine that in 1995, 15 Copeland family members were on the church payroll, earning salaries totaling $1.5 million.