The a Virginia Beach pastor went to court Monday.
Ken Montgomery, former pastor of what was called Praise 3 Ministries church, was accused of misusing more than $130,000 in church funds.
Monday, a judge confirmed a court investigator’s findings that Montgomery wrote checks using the church money for his and his wife’s personal expenses.
The judgment means Ken and Tammy Montgomery have to pay that money back.
“He still holds out even today that he’s not guilty,” said Bob Jones. “I hope he gets some help.”
Jones was a friend of Montgomery, and a co-defendant, but Monday the judge dismissed the suit against Jones.
Four other church members, elders in the church, were not so lucky. They’re accused of controlling the church without the congregation’s authority, but they say they’re victims who merely believed Montgomery’s scam.
“I don’t think they were wrapped up in the things that were going on with Ken Montgomery, but they chose to ignore truth and now they’ll have to pay the consequence,” said Kevin Martingayle, Bob Jones’ attorney.
Montgomery was absent from court when the judgment was given.
WVEC [Virginia VA]
June 11, 2007