Pastor Lonnie McCowan his wife Kimberly are a fine example of Christian love, as long as it is the love of money. They stand accused of embezzling $500k from an elderly man. Church members helped the couple make reduced bail.
The 49-year old minister is charged with two counts of theft from an elderly person and two counts of money laundering.
His 45 year-old wife is charged with one count of grand theft and one count of money laundering.
The alleged crimes were reportedly discovered after a real estate fraud complaint was filed with the District Attorney's office.
They could be innocent. I mean, there is a chance… right? This is what they are accused of doing:
The Camarillo couple allegedly got now-86-year-old Leo Gilmond to sign over the deed to his Ventura house, saying the church needed a rental for church dignitaries and students. Gilmond wasn't paid the promised $460,000.
Lonnie knows how to make money, at least that is what his now defunct website says…
Lonnie McCowan is a Pastor/Teacher, Author, Entrepreneur, and a undisputed master of marketing that delivers highly successful enterprises. He was personally trained and mentored by one of the best master marketers of all times who was Mr. E. Joseph Crossman a self-made multi-millionaire.
I smell prosperity theology wrapped around a business model that preys on the weak minded. God wants you to be rich. Give me your money and I will show you how. Blah, Blah, Blah. It’s time to hide your wallet folks. Only a fool would give money to this man.
Lonnie McCowan is pastor at the Solid Rock Christian Center in Ventura. I browsed his credentials, they seem odd. What do you think?
He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University Ministry Training and Development Institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also a Law graduate. He was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity from the Estonian Baptist Seminary.
Logging you in...
Rox1SMF 42p · 812 weeks ago
I don't think I'll ever understand how people fall for this...
Oddly enough, I was just looking at a site that has an eerily similar vibe. An atheist friend is going to this company for a job interview, but after visiting the site, she's decided she'll consider the interview "practice" because there's no way she can work with a bunch of Christians. http://4dcollege.com
TRG · 720 weeks ago
For more than 20 years I have created and maintained a positive public persona consistent with the integrity of a Pastor. It was particularly important to me to be an example of leadership within the African American community. I have tried to be a role model to my children as well as a leader in this county.
In the week just past, I pleaded guilty to a crime. This might appear to be an act that would destroy all I have worked for. On the contrary, I will grow from this adversity.
Few things in life are simple and sometimes we are challenged with compromising choices in order to achieve the greater good.
I still believe that if this case had gone to trial, a jury of my peers would have found me innocent of the criminal charges that were filed against me as a result of zealous prosecutors. There was absolutely never any criminal intent to defraud Leo Gilmond. My core beliefs will not allow me think of such a thing.
I bought one of Leo's investment properties. This was not Leo's main residence. He is an experienced real estate investor and not a member of my church. This was strictly a business transaction between two adults who hoped to benefit from rising prices in the market. It is easy to characterize him as an elderly innocent victim and to characterize me as a slick-talking pastor who bilked him. Some have portrayed the story in this way. But that is wrong. That is not true.
We both signed a contract stating that the property would be placed in my name so I could refinance the property and give him the money. I gave him $10,000 down and monthly payments of $1100 as good faith for three years until the balloon payment was due .I failed to make the balloon payment.
I never denied owing Leo the money. It is the reason I immediately wanted to rectify this issue. So I agreed to settle out-of-court. Both Leo and I paid our individual attorneys to create a settlement agreement for the money I owed to Leo. I was making payments to Leo - from $2,500 to $3,500 every month. And then my wife and I were arrested.
All of my statements can be backed up with documents and banks statements that are in the DA’s hands.
My wife had no knowledge of the events that had transpired in this transaction and never met Leo. My wife had only provided her signature to refinance a property that I bought. The District Attorney was aware of my wife’s limited knowledge of the transaction but charged her so that I might be forced to capitulate.
As I considered fighting the charges before a jury of my peers, the thought that motivated me into this plea was to protect my wife and prevent her from any further suffering or any possible thoughts of prison time. And after learning about the many disparities in judicial system it was too much for me to risk with my wife on the line
Most people in Ventura County know that once a person gets caught in the web of the the judicial system it is difficult to get out. Those who have never dealt with the judicial system in this county should reserve their judgment until they experience it either directly or indirectly.
I made the difficult decision. I compromised. I pled guilty to the charges against me.
Let me be clear about something I am absolutely not guilty of these charges. Yes I pleaded guilty. Any upright man would do this to protect his wife. I will pay restitution to my friend in this case as I planned to do and as I was doing before the DA’s office arrested me and my wife
My life and wife’s live will never be the same. We have discovered how adversity introduces you to yourself. This ordeal has not destroyed us but has defined me as an individual and us as a couple. We are confident that the integrity and character that we hold in this community will allow our reputations to be restored. We will continue to work hard to be a voice for those who have no voice, to shine a light for those whose lights are dim and to stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves.
Lonnie G. McCowan
Mojoey 107p · 720 weeks ago
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Thanks for posting this. I did not see it our I would have posted it myself.
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I get up your way all the time as I spend a lot of time in Newbury Park. If you would like a chance to tell your side of the story, I'd by happy to meet with you and then write a post about it. In fact, I would even be open to a guest post for the front page of my blog.
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I can't tell you how many people have sent me email's telling me about al lof the good things you and your wife have done for the community. That counts for something in my book. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. What do you say?
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Mojoey