Imperial Valley Ministries

Pastor pleads guilty to stealing $130K from church to pay gambling debts – Christian Post
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Pastor pleads guilty to stealing $130K from church to pay gambling debts – Christian Post

An executive pastor in New Hampshire pleaded guilty in federal court to using Journey Baptist Church’s debit and credit cards without authorization to pay off his gambling debts, according to U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. Gregory Neal, 45, of Rochester, admitted to a “one-count information alleging wire fraud” during his appearance in court, Young said…

California pastor gets jail time for using homeless in benefits fraud scheme – WFIN
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California pastor gets jail time for using homeless in benefits fraud scheme – WFIN

​A California pastor and his wife were sentenced to prison time earlier this month after pleading guilty to a charge related to what federal prosecutors described as a church labor trafficking scheme that victimized the homeless. Victor Gonzalez, the head pastor of California-based Imperial Valley Ministries (IVM), was sentenced to six months in prison and…

Church pastor, wife sentenced after using homeless for forced labor, stealing benefits
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Church pastor, wife sentenced after using homeless for forced labor, stealing benefits

A California pastor and his wife will serve time behind bars after pleading guilty to forcing homeless people to give up their welfare benefits and panhandle for up to nine hours a day, six days a week, in what federal prosecutors call a church labor trafficking scheme. Victor Gonzalez, the head pastor of Imperial Valley…

Pastor Who Used Homeless as Forced Labor, Three Others Plead Guilty to Benefits Fraud
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Pastor Who Used Homeless as Forced Labor, Three Others Plead Guilty to Benefits Fraud

Victor Gonzalez and his wife Susan Christine Gonzalez. Photo via Facebook The former pastor of an Imperial County church that federal prosecutors say forced homeless people to surrender their welfare benefits and panhandle pleaded guilty this week to conspiracy to commit benefits fraud. Victor Gonzalez, who headed Imperial Valley Ministries, pleaded guilty in San Diego…