The State - News from April 17, 1988

An Anaheim church consultant who negotiated Jessica Hahn’s $265,000 financial settlement with television evangelist Jim Bakker is being sought by New York officials as a witness in what is believed to be a tax fraud investigation involving Hahn’s former minister. The consultant, Paul Roper, 44, has been ordered to appear Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court to explain why he should not be compelled to testify before a grand jury sitting in Albany County, N.Y. The grand jury is reportedly investigating allegations of tax fraud against the Rev. Gene Profeta, for whom Hahn once worked as a clerk. Roper said he has very little knowledge about Profeta’s activities and cannot understand why he is considered a material witness. He said he is willing to appear before the New York panel but has asked for a delay of a few weeks to finish law school courses.