The Guardian
By Ramon Antonio Vargas in New Orleans and agencies
Wed 19 Oct 2022 14.56 EDT
A Baptist minister renowned in Louisiana has acknowledged stealing nearly $900,000 from his church, affiliated rental properties, his congregants and a charter school.
Charles Southall III, who for more than three decades led First Emanuel Baptist church in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of money-laundering.
According to court documents Southall endorsed, the minister embezzled donations from congregants that were meant to fund church charitable projects and building improvements.