Apr 27, 2017

Feds raid televangelist Benny Hinn's Grapevine offices

Televangelist Benny Hinn in 2002. His Grapevine offices were reportedly raided by federal authorities
RYAN OSBORNE
Star-Telegram
April 26, 2017

GRAPEVINE - U.S. Postal Service inspectors and IRS investigators were searching the offices of televangelist Benny Hinn in Grapevine on Wednesday.

NBC 5 reported that “a large number of agents” were seen carrying boxes in and out of Hinn’s offices, beginning at about 9 a.m. Reporters from WFAA and Fox 4 also reported seeing federal agents executing a search warrant.

On scene all day as IRS spec agts execute search warrant. Source & documents ID location as office of televangelist Benny Hinn

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service referred questions to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas, which was “unable to confirm or deny if there is an investigation,” spokeswoman Lisa Slimak said.

Requests for comment from Hinn’s office have not been answered. According to Hinn’s website, he was in Paris.

Hinn, 64, hosts a daily TV show out of a studio in California, but Benny Hinn Ministries and his World Healing Center Church are based in Grapevine.

Hinn in 2007 was the subject of a Senate Finance Committee investigation led by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who raised questions about the use of church-owned airplanes, luxury homes and credit cards by pastors and their families.

The investigation ended in 2011 with no penalties against Hinn or several other high-profile religious leaders.

Hinn said in a statement at the time that the investigation “has caused us to renew our commitment to always honor our partners’ sacrificial giving.”

THIS REPORT INCLUDES MATERIAL FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Ryan Osborne: 817-390-7684, @RyanOsborneFWST

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article146961764.html

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