CHARLOTTE (AP) — A religious broadcaster is building a $4 million home in a gated, lakefront community in western South Carolina at the same time that the ministry has cut jobs and reset thermostats to save money in its new headquarters. Inspiration Networks’ CEO David Cerullo is building the 9,000-square-foot home on a lot that overlooks Lake Keowee, The Charlotte Observer reported Monday.
Inspiration Networks has drawn scrutiny for up to $26 million in incentives it won from South Carolina to move from Charlotte to Indian Land, S.C., in Lancaster County. The network’s revenues are expected to approach $100 million, largely donations from people who are told God favors those who donate. Cerullo has said 80 cents of each donated dollar is spent to spread the Gospel.
Life is SWEET!In addition to laying off workers, the newspaper reported, the ministry froze wages and stopped making contributions to 401(k) retirement accounts. The thermostat on the network’s new building was cut to 65 degree during the winter.
A network spokesman did not respond to calls and e-mails requesting comment on the house. Cerullo defended his $1.5 million in compensation in a March interview and said he rejected recommendations that he be paid more.
“If they’ve got these kinds of assets, does the state really need to offer … tax breaks?” asked Don Weaver, president of the S.C. Association of Taxpayers. Employees told the newspaper the ministry began laying off some workers late last year. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is investigating the finances of six other televangelists and told the newspaper that leaders of religious nonprofits should be careful not to use viewers’ donations to adopt extravagant lifestyles. IRS rules bar nonprofits from paying “unreasonable compensation” to officials.
What was that about a fool and his money……….?
#29 MikeN – What you interpreted as the point of this article does not surprise at all !!
Along those lines, it is estimated that about 30% of the population is really unfit to vote. That is a scary thought.
#18: First time here, I see. And no clue what John does on all the other websites where he does write original material.
And BTW, plagiarizing requires that you don’t site your sources, which is done here, religiously. No pun inten… No, pun intended.
Jesus always said…take take take, and whoever has the biggest house goes to heaven!
“…80 cents of each donated dollar is spent to spread the Gospel…”
is it me or does it sound like they can pretty much justify any expense with that claim?
#23″…it is the worlds oldest profession… screwing the believer…”
Ha, too funny! Maybe sad as well…
Fools and their money are soon parted.
The funny thing is, I live in Charlotte, and this is the first I’ve heard of it. Between Michael Jackson and the serial killer, almost nothing else has gotten to the nightly news broadcasts. Oh well, not like I ever gave this jack ass a buck.
He hired a lot of workers to build this house didn’t he?
#14 – E X A C T L Y ! ! ! ! ! ! !
F**cking douchbag. He could have kept 80 people employed at $50,000. There are so many worthy charities out there. Why do fools give their money to these people? I’m not a religious person, but there are a number of churches that actually do good without spending money on this stupid shit. I can’t believe people give millionaire ministers money.
# 36 peter_m said,
#23″…it is the worlds oldest profession… screwing the believer…”
Ha, too funny! Maybe sad as well…
Okay, where are the Vestal Virgins????
J/P=?
I guess you can cross out this televangelist from the True Christian (TM) List, then. Is there anyone left on that list?
South Carolina serial killer missed this one, darn it.
Why would a state pay a preacher to preach in their state. Or have they found a way to tax the income stream generated by preachers scamming the ignorant? This gets curiouser and curiouser, the more thought applied to it.
I thought most preachers lived in a little house called a parsonage that was built beside the church, not a mansion by the lake.
Ray Stevens was troubled by televangelists wearing Rolex’s: http://lyricsdownload.com/ray-stevens-would-jesus-wear-a-rolex-lyrics.html
I don’t have a problem with him buying this house. The house is about right for his salary. (2-3 years pay) What I have a problem with is that he takes a $1.5M a year as salary. That is excessive, especially when he is laying off people. If I was him, I would buy a more modest house, take a pay cut, and use the difference so some of my employees could keep their jobs. Maybe he needs to read this story from the Bible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananias_and_Sapphira
Preachers shouldn’t have to live in poverty, but this guy makes more than I believe he should. I have to call Pharisee on this guy.
#25, dont blame hey zeus
In this case is is a smarmy TV preacher that does not represent Christ.
But he does claim to represent Christ! And all the other televangelists seem to agree with him and so far none have denounced him as a false believer. Nor am I aware of any other religious leaders condemning him.
I am reminded of how the Republican Party has decided that certain leaders weren’t really Republicans or were Republicans in name only. Yup, they are great leaders until the numbers or public opinion goes bad then they become garbage.
#46, Benjiman,
Hey Zeus might not have worn a Rolex, but James, John, or Peter might have.
Although I’m sure that they would more likely have the latest wrist sun dial so they could cue when Hey Zeus was due to take the stage.
This isn’t about religion or a preacher. Its about a scam artist/CEO entrepreneur.
“A preacher with more than one suit is a hypocrite.” – Lenny Bruce
Jesus! They’re all hypocrites.
And, the liberal pols idiotic ideas meet reality. Raising the cost of any business/concern means less jobs for the “peoples”, not less money for the owners…
#51, Cow-Patty,
And so you would rather keep the guy fleecing his flock because “It’s the American way”?
Yup, as much as would be ezxpected from a dolt like you.
#49 – Bullshit, it’s about religion. Pass the plate!
#52 As usual you missed the point entirely.
It’s sinful (literally) for someone LEADING a religious organization to make more than a modest income from it. Specifically, it is using the gospel for your own profit, and there’s a clear example of someone getting yelled at (and booted from the church) in the New Testament: Simon the magician. A stipend that allows you to reasonably care for your family is all any person in ministry should ever expect to get from that ministry.
y’know, something y’all might want to consider is whether you believe that the head of a simple non-profit institution should be subject to the same rules. If you’re leading a non-profit institution, which is theoretically chartered to devote all of its resources to helping the less fortunate, is it justifiable for the head to receive a $900,000/year salary?
For that matter, is it justifiable for a public servant, who is supposed to be attuned to and attend to the needs of the downtrodden among the people, to have a net worth exceeding $150M (cf. Nancy Pelosi)?
I would just like to say that Bro. Cerullo is a genuine man of God! This Brother has done much to spread the Gospel to the unsaved. I believe that he deserves and has a God given right to live in this house! If one has faith in Jesus, he too can be blessed like Bro. Cerullo. If you have much faith, you will receive much. If you have little faith, I am afraid you will receive little. Maybe that is the issue that needs to be addressed concerning those staff members who were laid off. If only they exercised their faith muscles, they would still be working at this great ministry!
Cerullo is a pimp. He uses Mike Murdock to do his begging for him. Murdock is always on these “campmeetings” for Cerullo spewing his nonsense while begging you to send him your cash. MONEY is the only subject Murdock EVER talks about. Doesn’t even use a bible, uses whatever book (more like small pamphlets) he is peddling at the time. He is sickening as is Cerullo. Anyone supporting these vultures is obviously in need of mental help.