Former San Diego Preacher Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Charges

A San Diego man who called himself a “Prophet of God” and claimed he had faith-healing powers pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal tax fraud charges and admitted using followers’ donations for himself.

Gary Burklow, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of assisting in the false preparation of income tax returns by telling Evansville-area congregations that money given to him was tax deductible.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Kathleen Sweeney said that, in 1986, Burklow received at least $105,000 in “love offerings” from 106 donors and used most of it for personal expenses.

Documents filed in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis on Wednesday said Burklow lied to Lee and Robert Walden of Vanderburgh County by telling them he was a legally incorporated nonprofit ministry.

In a plea agreement, the former Assembly of God minister also admitted that he had failed to file federal income tax returns for the years 1985 through 1987.

The agreement also says that Burklow received $40,000 in donations in 1985 and $45,000 in 1987 before he returned to San Diego, where he was pastor of Assembly of God congregations in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Under terms of the agreement, Burklow and his wife, Ute, agree to file tax returns and pay back taxes, penalties and interest owed for the years 1985 through 1987.

Prosecutors agreed to seek a prison term of no more than one year. The maximum penalty for the charge is three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Telephone messages left Wednesday seeking comment from Burklow and his attorney, Jerome A. Busch of Irvine, Calif., were not returned.

Burklow was known for fiery sermons he delivered during faith-healing revivals. He would pace the aisles and walk between pews, shouting at congregations until his face turned red, according to a 1986 story in the Evansville Press.

Burklow said in the interview with the newspaper that God did the healing.

“We have seen people blind and prayed for them and their eyes were opened . . . people who were crippled are now walking . . . people dying of cancer, we prayed for them and they are not dying of cancer,” he said.

At one revival in 1986, the newspaper said, Burklow told a congregation he needed $1,400 for rent, utilities and other expenses. The money was raised by the next day.

Some Evansville-area ministers were angered by advertisements Burklow bought that claimed he could perform healing miracles. The newspaper, on July 21, 1986, quoted Church of Christ minister David Padfield as saying he went to watch a faith-healing session and felt Burklow was a fraud.

The Press reported Wednesday that IRS special agent David Hruska began an investigation of Burklow after people became suspicious.