3 Mercedes Bought for Bakkers, Court Told

Jim Bakker’s PTL ministry bought the evangelist and his family three Mercedes cars for $150,000 three years ago even though the organization was having cash flow problems, its former budget director testified today at Bakker’s fraud trial.

Mark Burgund told the court that Bakker wanted a Mercedes for his wife, Tammy Faye, because her Cadillac had been wrecked in an accident.

“When the car was brought out, Tammy didn’t like the way it looked, so Jim said he would take the car and to bring another out for Tammy,” Burgund said. A Mercedes station wagon was subsequently purchased to transport the Bakker children.