Bakker Attests to Board’s Generosity

Jim Bakker ended two days of testimony in his fraud and conspiracy trial Monday, declaring that PTL board members heaped large bonuses on him even though they knew the ministry was in deep financial trouble.

“They would tell me they were happy to do this,” Bakker said during cross-examination by special prosecutor Deborah Smith. “They would tell me I was worth much more than this and they would say that over and over again.”

For his part, Bakker testified, he more often than not tried to prevent the board from giving him the generous bonuses.

Rebuttal Witnesses Called

Bakker’s testimony was an effort to refute the prosecution’s portrayal of him as a greedy TV preacher who abused the trust of his followers. Later, the prosecution called rebuttal witnesses, setting the stage for closing arguments today. The jury of six men and six women is expected to begin deliberating as early as Wednesday.

The 49-year-old defrocked television evangelist faces 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy centering on the sale of “partnerships” that typically cost $1,000 and promised the buyer three nights’ lodging at Heritage USA, a Christian theme park in nearby Ft. Mill, S.C. Prosecutors charge that Bakker and close aides pocketed $3.7 million while failing to build enough lodging for the “partners.”

Court testimony has shown that the board bolstered Bakker’s salary with bonuses of staggering amounts, including $790,000 in 1986 and $390,000 in 1984.

Meanwhile, the PTL (Praise the Lord and People That Love) ministry was struggling financially. Smith contended that Bakker failed to warn the PTL board members about the money problems and asked if he was disputing testimony from six board members who said Bakker never told them about financial problems.

“I would tell them we were in great financial need,” Bakker said. “They were always up to date on all the financial information.”

Left Amid Sex Scandal

Bakker also claimed that “the real conspiracy to defraud came from the group of people who took over the ministry,” referring to fellow evangelist Jerry Falwell. Falwell briefly assumed leadership of PTL after Bakker left in early 1987 amid a raging sex scandal.

Bakker portrayed himself as a hands-off leader when his pay was at issue.

“It was my policy not to participate in my salary,” he testified. “I’m saying I did not set my salary. The board, over the years, set my salary. I was not in the room when they voted my salaries. Seventy-five percent of the time, I asked them not to give me bonuses.”