Evangelist Indicted Over Taxes

A federal grand jury Tuesday indicted evangelist Morris Cerullo on three counts of filing false income tax returns by allegedly failing to report more than $550,000 in income.

Cerullo, president of San Diego-based Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, is charged with filing false individual returns for 1998, 1999 and 2000.

“All who partake in this country’s benefits have a responsibility to pay their taxes,” U.S. Atty. Carol Lam said. “There are no self-bestowed exemptions.”

Cerullo, who is in his 70s, uses television and the Internet to spread his religious message and seek donations. According to his website, he will lead a crusade this week at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee, followed by one at the Anaheim Convention Center next month.

At his rallies, Cerullo, who began as a preacher from Charlotte, N.C., has said people can be cured of medical problems through prayer. He bought the Inspiration Network in the 1980s from Jim Bakker when the latter was caught in a financial scandal that sent him to prison.

His official biography says he was the fifth child in a Jewish family but converted to Christianity at 14. Part of his ministry has been to persuade Jews to switch religions. He once owned the landmark El Cortez Hotel in downtown San Diego.

Cerullo is scheduled to surrender to federal authorities Monday.