PREACHING PAYS: His-and-her mansions are among the benefits for TBNs Paul and Janice Crouch

  • PREACHING PAYS: His-and-her mansions are among the benefits for TBN’s Paul and Janice Crouch

If you don’t read anything else today, read the New York Times report on a family battle that’s roiling the Trinity Broadcasting Network religious TV empire and the luxurious lifestyle that’s been revealed as a consequence.

Advertisement

Matched sets of mansions for Paul and Janice Crouch.

Private jets.

Advertisement

Hotel room and RV for dogs.

Slotting employees as “ministers;” as such Social Security contributions aren’t required.

Advertisement

$1,000 dinners and meal expenses for mama, poppa and son running, in all, about $300,000 a year.

Employees said the Crouches believed their faith justified any extravagance. Among the explanations and defense offered by the empire’s lawyer:

Advertisement

Extolling TBN’s prominence and programs, Mr. May said the spending that some call opulent “is necessary to convey the ministry’s position of accomplishment.”

Viewers want a little of that prosperity gospel. They pour in almost $100 million a year in support.

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article Turn out the lights Next article Emergency transport lacking after fight that proved fatal