By Ado Oyeyemi
A pastor in the United States, Dale Sanders, has been found guilty of misappropriating more than $340,000 belonging to two churches in Louisiana, using the funds to finance gambling and other personal expenses.
Sanders, 56, was convicted by a federal jury on 25 counts, including wire fraud, access device fraud and obstruction of a federal investigation, after a five-day trial presided over by US District Judge Brandon S. Long.
The verdict was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana in a statement released through the US Department of Justice.
According to prosecutors, Sanders orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently obtain money and property from the two churches by making false representations.
Investigators said he transferred money from one church’s bank accounts into accounts under his control and spent the funds on gambling, dining and other personal living expenses.
Authorities also disclosed that Sanders unlawfully used the church’s debit card for personal purchases, receiving cash, goods and services valued at more than $340,000 without authorisation.
In addition to the fraud-related convictions, the jury found Sanders guilty of obstructing a federal investigation after he allegedly submitted a falsified document in response to a grand jury subpoena.
The court has fixed October 13, 2026, for his sentencing.
Prosecutors said Sanders could face a maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the amount of the financial gain or loss resulting from the offences.
He could also receive up to three years of supervised release after serving any prison sentence and is liable to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each count.
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The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Field Office, while Assistant US Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and Tracey Knight of the Financial Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
