Grand Jury Probes Bakkers for Possible Fraud, Tax Charges
A grand jury today began investigating whether deposed PTL founders Jim and Tammy Bakker and their former top associates should be charged with crimes connected with the television ministry.
The panel, which is investigating possible mail fraud and tax evasion, has subpoenaed scores of PTL financial records since Bakker resigned as PTL chairman in March after admitting a 1980 sexual liaison with a former church secretary, Jessica Hahn.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, to whom Bakker turned over his ministry, said his administration at PTL supplied “carloads” of documents to 18 federal investigators. Still, Falwell has said he hopes Bakker will not be indicted because it would hurt the ministry’s image.
“I don’t think it is to the advantage of the present board here, or creditors, or 400,000 pastors in this country or 60 to 70 million born-again Christians for a preacher to go to prison,” Falwell said.
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