Word: bakkers
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Last week, however, the soap-opera proceedings turned deadly serious for Jim Bakker. Convicted 19 days earlier of fraudulently raising $158 million in contributions from his adoring flock, the smooth-talking, scandal-plagued televangelist drew a stunning 45-year prison sentence and a $500,000 fine...
...deeply sorry for the people who have been hurt," Bakker contritely told U.S. District Judge Robert Potter just before the sentencing. "I have sinned. I have made mistakes. But never in my life did I intend to defraud anyone." That last-ditch bid for leniency made little impression on the judge, known as "Maximum Bob" because of his penchant for stiff sentences. "Those of us who do have a religion are sick of being saps for money- grubbing preachers and priests," Potter angrily told the defendant. Bakker, 49, was quickly bound in handcuffs and leg-irons and driven...
...trial want for drama. Bakker was led away for psychiatric evaluation, one witness collapsed, and Hurricane Hugo interrupted the proceedings. The usual details emerged about Bakker's lavish spending habits (motorized bedroom draperies, a $500 shower curtain). The prosecution's star witness turned out to be Bakker himself. Jurors endured eight hours of videotape showing his histrionic money pitches and then heard the ex-preacher describe himself on the witness stand as a "minister of the gospel," not a "professional businessman...
...Although Bakker will almost certainly not get the maximum penalty (120 years and $5 million in fines) when he is sentenced Oct. 24, he is likely to spend time behind bars. Potter had earlier meted out a tough eight years in prison and a $200,000 fine to former Bakker aide Richard Dortch, even though Dortch testified for the prosecution. Two other staffers who provided evidence drew draconian prison terms for tax evasion...
Defying Muslim threats, Orthodox zealots are preparing for the day when the holy edifice will rise again. -- A jury swiftly nails fallen evangelist Jim Bakker for fraud...