Sentence Reduced for Televangelist Bakker
<i> Associated Press</i>
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
A federal judge Tuesday reduced the sentence of former televangelist Jim Bakker to eight years. His attorneys said Bakker might be eligible for parole in one year.
The reduction was the second for Bakker, who originally was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
He was convicted in 1989 on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy. Prosecutors said he bilked donors out of more than $150 million by promising them free lodging at his Heritage USA theme park.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
