Ernest Beal knew what was in his clients’ best interests.
At least that’s what he told an Allen Superior Court jury Thursday as the final day of his criminal trial wrapped up.
Charged with theft, Beal, 56, was accused of raiding the trust fund accounts of the developmentally impaired residents of his group homes – in order, he said, to pay operating expenses.
But after about 2 1/2 hours of deliberation, the jury didn’t believe him, convicting him of the charge.
Beal is chief operating officer of Your Friends and Neighbors, a company that runs group homes in Indiana and Georgia for adults with developmental impairments. A lawyer and licensed minister, Beal is also the pastor of Faith United Church of Christ in Fort Wayne.
Sentencing is scheduled for next month before Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull.
Full Article and Source:
Minister Stole From Trust Fund,Jury Rules
See Also:
Lawyer/Pastor Accused of Felony Theft
6 comments:
More than one crime has been committed here!
Beal stole from his client's ignoring their best interest and he also set an extremely bad example as a minister. Many people today are loosing the faith our country was founded on because of people like Beal. They see & hear things like this and make the decision that, "if that's a Christian I don't want to be one." It's beyond time for us to walk the walk not just talk the talk!!
No wonder he stole: he's a lawyer!
Right on, Holly!
I think I will go sit in on the sentencing hearing ....
All my friends will be there ....
what happened to character ethics truth and honor? we are going backwards in our society scares the hell out of me and it should scare you too
He once stole the employees 401k money. Squeaked by on a fine on that one. Basically forced his way in to his parents company to start with.
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