Six Mega Ministries Target of U. S. Senate Probe

Six international ministries are being called to answer to another higher power, the United States government. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), a staunch proponent for non-profit financial transparency and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee has requested detailed financial records from:

• Rev. Benny Hinn, Grapevine, Texas
• Randy and Paula White, Tampa, Florida
• Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Newark, Texas
• Dave and Joyce Meyer, Fenton, Missouri
• Creflo and Taffi Dollar, College Park, Georgia
• Eddie Long, Lithonia, Georgia

Letters requesting financial documentation were sent to each ministry stating, “Americans have given generously to religious organizations, and those who do so should be assured that their donations are being used for the tax-exempt purposes of the organizations.” Each ministry has been given until December 6 to comply with Grassley’s request.

Bishop Long, Rev. Hinn, the Whites, the Meyers and the Dollars are to supply documentation of all audited financial statements, a list of all affiliated churches and auxiliary organizations, the names of all board members and details of their relationships to the ministry heads, property ownership information, personal expenses related to the ministry and other information specific to each ministry. While the letters contained commonalities in items requested, they also contained separate items specific to that ministry and the practices called into question by the Senate.

Grassley has led the probe into a wide range of non-profit issues over the last several years, first as Finance Committee chairman and now as ranking member. The committee has exclusive Senate jurisdiction over federal tax policy, including the policy governing the billions of dollars donated to and controlled by the nation’s tax-exempt groups.

In a statement issued to the public, Grassley said, “The allegations involve governing boards that aren’t independent and allow generous salaries and housing allowances and amenities such as private jets and Rolls Royces.”

The senator furthered, “I don’t want to conclude that there’s a problem, but I have an obligation to donors and the taxpayers to find out more. People who donated should have their money spent as intended and in adherence with the tax code.”

Long and Dollar have publicly stated that they’d comply with the investigation.