"The defendant treated his organizations' accounts as his own personal piggy bank, stealing millions of dollars and betraying the trust of his congregation and those dependent on the services provided to the community,"
"Our office will always be vigilant in protecting houses of worship from criminality that threatens the important work they do."
""I made personal purchases with the entities' resources," Mitchell said in his plea. "I acted willfully.""
Rev. Paul Mitchell, 60, pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling $3 million from a day care associated with Changing Lives Christian Center in East New York. Between 2015 and 2022, Mitchell used church and day care credit cards and checks to pay for personal expenses, including clothing, jewelry, luxury accessories, and life insurance premiums. Prosecutors detailed purchases such as a $795 watch in 2015, a smoky quartz and diamond ring for just over $1,000 in 2016, and a diamond engagement ring retailing at more than $6,100 in 2018. Mitchell transferred funds into his own accounts and failed to report that income.
Read at New York Daily News
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