To sum up, the network’s founders are accused of stealing millions of dollars which they spent on private jets, mansions, and covering up sex scandals. The Guardian reports:
The California-based Trinity Broadcasting Network has become embroiled in a multimillion-dollar financial scandal after allegations of widespread embezzlement. The network, which claims to broadcast in every continent except the Antarctic and has 18,000 affiliates, was set up by Paul Crouch in the 1970s and preaches a “prosperity gospel” which promises material rewards to those who give generously.
The claims describe exorbitant spending on mansions in California, Tennessee and Florida, Paul Crouch obtaining a $50m luxury jet for his personal use through a “sham loan”, while church funds – many of which come from donations during its “Praise-a-thons” – paid for a $100,000 mobile home to house the dogs of Crouch’s flamboyant wife, Janice.
Directors of the network are also accused of misusing funds to cover up sex scandals, including the alleged “cover-up and destruction of evidence concerning a bloody sexual assault involving Trinity Broadcasting and affiliated Holy Land Experience employees; the cover-up of director Janice Crouch’s affair with a staff member at the Holy Land Experience; the cover-up of director Paul Crouch’s use of Trinity Broadcasting funds to pay for a legal settlement with Enoch Lonnie Ford (a former TBN employee who said he had a homosexual affair with [founder] Paul Crouch)”.
