Preacher Faces Food-Stamp Fraud Charge

The Rev. Slim Lake sees nothing wrong with buying food stamps illegally and using them to feed the homeless, recovering alcoholics and drug addicts--he’s an urban Robin Hood to some.

Authorities, however, say “Rev. Slim” is breaking the law and have charged him with food-stamp trafficking. The ex-con and founder of God’s Church of the Streets faces 15 to 40 years in prison. He seems undaunted.

“You know, I’ve been buying food stamps to feed my congregation since I started my ministry,” Lake said. “How can you put somebody in jail for feeding the hungry? If that’s a crime, then put me in jail.”

Lake has served barbecue ribs, chicken and ham sandwiches to up to 300 people at an inner-city park every Sunday for seven years. He buys the food with the stamps and some of the $1,600 in disability pay he receives each month since he hurt his back in 1980 while working as a city street cleaner.

Not everyone loves Lake, a former drug dealer, crack addict and street hustler who has been arrested more than 30 times. Some residents of a housing project near the park say the man born Charles Lake is bad news.

“I just don’t trust him,” said Charles Robinson, 52. “I don’t know what it is. He brings in a bad group of people. Bad group.”

Lake has been in and out of jail since 1978, when he accidentally shot a friend in the head. The friend survived, but Lake served six months in jail and once he got out, he sold drugs and stolen goods.

He says God told him to establish his church, and to some residents Lake is a godsend. They say he helps when they are in trouble, takes them to supermarkets to buy groceries and is around just to talk.

“He’s just like a brother and good friend,” said Willie Valliant, 37, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict.

Lake admits he buys the food stamps at discount rates on the street and exchanges them for food, but says he was set up. His arrest came after an undercover officer offered him $500 worth of food stamps for $300, he said.

Prosecutors and police won’t comment. A trial date has not been set.

Lake plans to continue his weekly services. One recent Sunday, Lake watched proudly as followers erected a canvas tent, lighted grills and set up folding chairs for the day’s services.

“I’m going to beat this,” Lake said with a smile. Then he paused.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. Everything is in God’s hands.”