Actor Zimbalist Says PTL Board Was Rubber Stamp : Zimbalist Calls PTL Board Rubber Stamp for Bakker

Actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr., a former member of the PTL board of directors, testified today that the panel was nothing more than a rubber stamp for the wishes of ministry founder Jim Bakker and other PTL leaders.

“It was called the board of directors but it did not function as a board usually does, which is as a regulatory body,” said Zimbalist, testifying for the prosecution in Bakker’s federal fraud and conspiracy trial. “It was a board of affirmation only.

“I never assumed I was acting as a director of that organization because the board didn’t do that.”

The well-tanned Zimbalist, wearing glasses below a furrowed brow and a mane of white hair, said he did not recall approving six-figure bonuses for Bakker, his wife, Tammy Faye, and other ministry leaders.

Unaware of Deficit

The actor, who smiled broadly and winked at Bakker as he left the courtroom, also joined other former board members in testifying he was not aware PTL was drowning in red ink at the same time the Bakkers allegedly took millions in bonuses.

“I assumed there was enough money at PTL,” he said. “It was not an estate to run itself at all, but if it had been completed, it could have run on its own. The income of PTL was a very loose thing. Mr. Bakker was always able to go on the air and plead for money. It was not a finite thing.”

Malfeasance Not Seen

But Zimbalist, questioned by prosecutor Jerry Miller, played down the government’s allegations that Bakker oversold lifetime partnerships to PTL supporters and misappropriated the proceeds.

“The funds may not have been spent as designated but I don’t see it as the great malfeasance you wish me to, Mr. Miller, because it was always possible to raise more money,” he said.

Zimbalist, who joined the board in January, 1981, at Bakker’s urging, said he finally became aware of the ministry’s financial troubles about five years later when he recorded cassette tapes for PTL and the man who made the tapes, a good friend, did not get paid.

Zimbalist said his friend eventually was paid for making the tapes but only after he approached Bakker twice on behalf of the man.