Churches in the Bible Belt are hit with money scandals involving pastors

Church scandals take a tollPhoto byKarl FredricksononUnsplash

Pastor's wife charged with stealing over $400,000

Scandals involving pastors and their family members are complex for those who look up to them. Southern States in the Bible Belt are not exempt, as two incidents have been reported within the past few weeks.

Charisma reveals that Shelley Strickland, a pastor's wife, was charged with stealing $404,000 from First Baptist Church of War Shoals in South Carolina, where she worked as the financial secretary from 2017 to 2024.

Strickland, who confessed to her crimes, sent money via cash apps to her husband, the pastor of First Damascus Baptist Church in Bradley, South Carolina, and their children. Her family members may be charged with being complicit.

Virginia Pastor is involved in a $800,000 investment scheme.

, Joe My God reveals that Michael Mandel Baldwin, 55, of Alexandria, Virginia, orchestrated an $800,000 investment scheme. At the same time, he was the assistant Pastor and Musical Director for a church in Northern Virginia and the Chief Executive Officer of Miracle Mansion, LLC.

Baldwin was sentenced to 27 months in prison today, followed by three years of supervised release. on charges of securities fraud and wire fraud.