Florida Church Leaders Accused of Exploiting Workers While Living Lavishly: Luxury Cars, Jet Skis, and $10K Seafood Feasts

Two church leaders in Florida, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon, are facing serious charges for allegedly exploiting workers. They stand accused of forcing these individuals to help raise $50 million in donations, which they supposedly used to fund a lavish lifestyle filled with luxury cars and extravagant meals.

Taylor, head of the Kingdom of God Global Church, was arrested in North Carolina. Brannon was taken into custody in Florida. The FBI also raided their church headquarters in Houston, Texas, leading to the arrest of 17 people, some of whom were handcuffed.

A federal grand jury in Michigan charged both Taylor and Brannon with forced labor and conspiracy to commit related crimes. Taylor, who dubbed himself ‘Apostle’ and claimed to be ‘Jesus’ best friend,’ allegedly operated call centers across several states. He used unpaid workers, stating that donations would support charitable causes, but this may have been far from the truth.

According to the indictment, the staff at these call centers were stripped of their freedom. They could not leave the premises and faced severe consequences if they did not meet fundraising goals. Reports suggest they experienced psychological abuse and were sometimes starved. Taylor demanded even more by employing these workers as ‘armor bearers,’ his personal aides who were required to cook for him, transport him, maintain his cars, and more.

The alleged mistreatment included public humiliation and physical punishment. One text allegedly sent by Taylor warned, “If you don’t work, you can’t eat.” He pushed his workers to meet impossible sales targets, like raising $164,000 in one day. The indictment mentions that this abuse dates back to at least 2009.

Victims of this scheme were allegedly required to cut ties with their families and abandon outside jobs and romantic relationships. Many were coerced into falsely stating that donations funded humanitarian aid like providing water to the needy. However, prosecutors say the money went toward luxury items, including four luxury cars and even $10,000 worth of crab legs.

A neighbor who worked near the church described the behavior of the workers as “cult-like.” He noted that they seemed controlled and isolated, only allowed to leave with escorts. He also witnessed what he believed were punishments, like one person mowing a vast lawn with a push mower, a task he found strange and likely harsh.

If convicted, both Taylor and Brannon could face up to 20 years imprisonment and hefty fines for each charge. Public interest in the case highlights the ongoing concerns around faith-based organizations and their potential for exploitation.

For more details, you can view the original news reports by trusted sources like NBC News. It’s crucial to remain aware of such incidents and understand the implications they hold for community trust and accountability.

Source link

dailymail,news