Bay Area Bishop Pleads Guilty To Wire, Mail Fraud In Multi-Million Dollar Scheme

Bishop pleads guilty to defrauding Oakland AME church of $2 million

Bishop pleads guilty to defrauding Oakland AME church of $2 million Staccato Powell, a former bishop for the denomination's western district, convinced five California AME pastors to sign over deeds to their churches in order to enrich himself.

Bay Area Bishop Pleads Guilty To Wire, Mail Fraud In Multi-Million Dollar Scheme

A former bishop admitted to illegally using Bay Area church properties to secure millions in unauthorized loans.

Ex-bishop pleads guilty to fraud involving churches in Palo Alto and other cities – Palo Alto Daily Post

A former bishop pleaded guilty Tuesday (July 15) to funneling money and property from AME Zion Church to himself, with a congregation in Palo Alto among the victims. Staccato Powell, 65, of Wake Forest, N.C., worked with Sheila Quintana, 71, of Vallejo, to take out loans with AME Zion Church properties as collateral, federal prosecutors said. Powell yesterday admitted to fraudulently obtaining mortgages on church properties in Los Angeles, Oakla…

Bishop pleads guilty to fraudulently taking out loans on Bay Area church properties

The bishop took out loans on African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches in San Jose, Oakland, Palo Alto, prosecutors said.

Former bishop pleads guilty to fraud in scheme involving church properties

OAKLAND, California — Staccato Powell, a former bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy charges in a scheme to seize control of church properties in California. Powell, 65, of…