(The Roys Report) When the U.S. government extended pandemic hardship loans to thousands of religious institutions, Jim Bakker and his ministry, Morningside USA, were among the most high-profile recipients, despite fraud claims against them.
On April 28, the pastor received approval for an amount between $650,000 and $1.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds.
Weeks before, the New York and Missouri attorneys general, as well as the Federal Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission, filed complaints alleging Bakker engaged in deceptive practices by touting purported health benefits of a silver product on The Jim Bakker Show — including a suggestion it could be used to treat or prevent COVID-19 infection, something the FDA says is false. In June, the Arkansas attorney general’s office followed with its own lawsuit.