Federal indictment accuses pastor of using church in $3.2M fraud scheme
A Texas pastor has been indicted for allegedly stealing over $3.2 million from dozens of donors to church entities and using the funds for business and personal expenses.
Richard Reinaldo Garcia, 53, of Arlington, was indicted last month by a federal grand jury on two counts of wire fraud, one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Garcia's trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 13 in federal court in Fort Worth. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud and conspiracy counts, as well as a mandatory, consecutive two-year sentence on the identity theft count. The identity theft charge stems from Garcia's alleged use of another person's name and address without authorization on business formation documents filed with the Texas Secretary of State.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas on Tuesday, from August 2021 through April 2025, Garcia and other individuals “allegedly made false material misstatements based, in part, on the promise of significant profits for his victims.”
“The misstatements, among other things, induced victims to enter into agreements and provide funds for ‘church flipping’ real estate improvement projects and ‘joint venture’ agreements to host Christian music concerts and other church programs,” the attorney’s office stated. “Garcia then allegedly used victim funds to pay for his own personal expenses and business operating expenses.”
Garcia allegedly controlled bank accounts in church-based names, like Ministerio Gracia, Iglesia Gracia de Texas, Gracia Church of Texas and Pesar de Todo, LLC.
He allegedly directed several victims to send funds to these accounts and to label the transfers as "donations" to Gracia Church, even though the money was actually funneled into the alleged fraud scheme.
More than 50 victims across the U.S. and abroad paid over $3.2 million to Garcia due to the scheme, with him allegedly using the money for personal use and business expenses.
One example described in the indictment is that Garcia allegedly raised money from multiple donors for a church mission trip to Africa, only for the money to go elsewhere.
“(Garcia) made fraudulent representations to solicit funds from victims, typically $2,000 per person, purportedly to pay for trips to Kenya, Africa where church programs related to the Relevant Entities would occur,” the indictment states in part.
“When in reality, Garcia then and there well knew that defendant Garcia would cancel and or never book trips to Africa and the solicited funds would be used to pay for unrelated expenses.”
“The defendant allegedly took advantage of his victims’ faith by promising significant profits through investment opportunities but instead used their funds to selfishly enrich himself at their expense,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will not stand idly by while North Texans fall victim to these unscrupulous schemes, and my office will work hard to seek out and prosecute those that commit these types of crimes.”
Global Televangelists Andre and Jenny Roebert to divorce on 'biblical grounds' after 34 years of marriage
André and Jenny Roebert, founders of the global Christian television network Faith Broadcasting Network (FBN), known on-air as MyFaithTV, headquartered in East London, South Africa, are getting a divorce after 34 years of marriage on “biblical grounds.”
Jenny Roebert, 54, who founded the television network with her 57-year-old husband in May 2002, filed for divorce on June 30, according to documents filed in Collier County, Florida, where they have a home and multiple businesses. She asserts that she and her husband, who were married on March 14, 1992, have been living separately since about May 20.
“The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken, and no amount of time or counseling will restore the tranquility and harmony of the union,” the filing states.
In a July 13 statement, the independent international boards of FBN, which reaches over 264 million viewers in the U.S., Africa and the United Kingdom, said the couple, who have three adult children also involved in the ministry, were urged to take a sabbatical from on-air ministry due to their “significant” marital struggles.
“Over recent weeks, many of you may have become aware that our founders and their family are walking through a deeply challenging personal season. In the interest of transparency, the various International Boards wish to address our television partners and viewers around the world. After prayerful consultation with the founders, it was requested that they take a sabbatical from on-air ministry responsibilities,” the statement said. “They are currently facing significant marital challenges and are separated. We ask that you join us in praying for God's grace in their lives while respecting the family’s privacy during this season.”
In apparent response to that statement, Jenny Roebert released a statement last Friday along with a video stating she is filing for divorce on "biblical grounds" and that she and her children have been "severely wronged" by her husband. She didn't disclose the details of his actions.
“I was originally not going to make a public statement, but since my husband is making one, the board has advised me to make one too. Over the past two years, more specifically 18 months, my children and I have been severely wronged,” Jenny Roebert stated, while explaining that “we have forgiven as a family and individually.”
“The consequences of what has transpired have brought me to the point where, on the basis of biblical grounds, I have taken steps to file for divorce,” she continued.
“This I know must come as a great shock to many of you, and it deeply saddens me to even have to say these words. But it is important for you to know that the Lord has moved my children and me to a place of forging forward and continuing on with His plan for our lives,” she explained.
The divorce filing states that the couple own “significant assets, including numerous businesses in Florida … as well as numerous hotels in South Africa,” and Jenny Roebert is asking the court to award her “more than 50% of the net marital estate.”
“The Court should set apart to the Petitioner and the Respondent their non-marital assets and liabilities and distribute between the Petitioner and the Respondent the marital assets and liabilities in such proportions as are equitable considering all relevant factors and award the Petitioner more than 50% of the net marital estate,” the filing states.
In South Africa alone, the couple, through their River Hotels, own and operate a portfolio of five distinct properties: Halyards Hotel & Spa, Tsitsikamma Lodge & Spa, Tenahead Lodge & Spa, Mansfield Private Reserve and Mpekweni Beach Resort. These properties include seaside and mountain destinations.
The couple also operate several Florida-based faith and business ventures that Jenny Roebert repeatedly asks the court to restrain her husband from directing or controlling.
“The Petitioner fears that the Respondent will waste, transfer, dissipate, encumber or otherwise spend or dispose of the assets of the business unless restrained by the Court,” the filing says.
