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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Monday, November 4, 2024

Pastor ordered to repay $305K for misuse of church donations

State AG
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Attorney General Michelle Henry | Ballotpedia

Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced a significant legal outcome involving the misuse of church funds by James Collier, founder and pastor of the former Pennsylvania branch of Peniel Christian Fellowship International. Collier has been ordered to pay $305,704 for transferring money donated to the church into personal accounts for personal expenses such as vehicles and rent.

The decision was made by a Dauphin County Orphan’s Court Judge following efforts by the Office of Attorney General. The funds are directed to be paid to another religious institution with similar purposes to Peniel Christian Fellowship International.

"These charitable funds were intended to further Christian ministry as outlined in the fellowship’s mission — instead, the pastor and overseer of the funds acted on his own personal greed and diverted the funds," stated Attorney General Henry. "Charitable funds must be used as they were intended, and our office plays a role in ensuring such assets and funds are not misused."

In addition to repaying the misappropriated amount, Collier has been ordered removed from all church bank accounts, prohibited from serving on any nonprofit boards in the future, and instructed that the church be dissolved.

The investigation into this case was led by Investigator Andrew McCole with litigation handled by Senior Deputy Attorney General Jason R. Lewis. The fellowship originally received $387,478 from a previous parishioner's estate.

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