$9,000 concealed in a Bible.

[jgredline]

Disgraceful......

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/19/world ... ref=slogin

 

[Relic]

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page 2 of article

The Hernandeses’ troubles became public late last year when prosecutors here, who had been investigating complaints from former church members, froze several bank accounts. When the couple failed to appear for a hearing  because of medical problems, their lawyer says  an order to detain them was granted.

In early January, after a judge set aside the detention decree, the couple decamped to the United States. They have several churches in southern Florida and a home in Boca Raton but were stopped at customs because Brazilian authorities had issued an alert in their names for “suspicion of money laundering and fraud related to Brazilian organized crime,†according to an affidavit filed by an agent of the United States Bulk Currency Smuggling Task Force.

“It was a misunderstanding, an inadvertently erroneous declaration,†said Mr. D’Urso, the lawyer. “They go to the United States every January to preach and evangelize, and weren’t planning to stay. They want to come back, to show that the accusations here have no foundation.â€Â

While they await trial in the United States, the Hernandeses, free on bail, continue to preach to their followers, who include the soccer star Kaká, through Webcam and satellite broadcasts. They practice long-distance faith healing, urge the faithful to keep tithing and proclaim their innocence.

The Hernandeses’ trial on the cash-smuggling charges is scheduled for early May, a spokesman for the United States attorney in Miami said. Mr. D’Urso said negotiations for a plea bargain were “quite advanced,†but the lawyers representing the couple in the United States declined requests for an interview.

In the meantime, the Hernandeses’ problems at home continue to mount. The Brazilian government is seeking their extradition and is moving to strip their church of some media properties.

In addition, two of the Hernandeses’ children and a son-in-law are being investigated on suspicion that a state legislator, who is also a Rebirth in Christ minister, gave them no-show jobs. Mr. Hernandes has condemned all of the accusations as “the handiwork of the devil.â€Â

The work of the devil ir right! :
It appears that the devil got a hold of him and his dealings. :P



But really, People who are so "prominent".... , are they going to just get a slap on the wrist, or will they be prosecuted for money laundering no differently than the average person who isn't so filthy rich?


get it? filthy rich? That's a pun :


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