Baptist Leader Faces $5-Million Fraud Charge

The Rev. Henry Lyons, embattled leader of a large black Baptist denomination, was accused Thursday in a federal indictment of cheating corporations out of $5 million to buy cars, jewelry and other luxuries.

Lyons, already facing state charges, remained free on bond after a federal court appearance.

The president of the National Baptist Convention USA was charged with 56 counts of fraud, extortion, money laundering, conspiracy and tax evasion. He faces a maximum 815 years in prison and $25 million in fines if convicted.

“These corporations desired nothing more than to peddle their wares to black Baptist consumers, and I’m sure that paying for an endorsement is nothing new to them,” attorney Grady Irvin said on Lyons’ behalf after the court appearance.

Lyons, 55, was indicted with Bernice Edwards, a convicted embezzler and former director of public relations for the convention, and Brenda Harris, former director of meetings and conventions.

Lyons is accused of using his leadership position to solicit contributions that he spent to support a lavish lifestyle, including country club memberships, trips, cars, jewelry and houses.

The Loewen Group International Inc. of Covington, Ky., a Canadian corporation that provides funeral services, was defrauded of $3.2 million, U.S. Atty. Charles R. Wilson said.

Lyons and the two women allegedly used multiple bank accounts, mainly the Baptist Builder Fund in St. Petersburg. Lyons was the sole signatory for the fund and much of the money that came into his possession flowed into this account, the indictment said.

Wilson said some of the federal charges overlap state charges dealing with the builder fund and with money donated to the convention to help rebuild Southern churches hit by arson.