Sentencing Day for Disgraced NC Bishop Anthony Jinwright & Wife Harriet Over Tax Evasion

Sentencing day for disgraced North Carolina Bishop Anthony Jinwright and his wife, Harriet, who were both found guilty of tax evasion. Of course, there are die-hard supporters who would follow these criminals to the end of time. According to the Charlotte Observer, some of their supporters arrived at the courthouse wearing black sweatshirts emblazoned with the phrase “MIRACLE on the 8th,” echoing their wish to see the Jinwrights, who pastor Greater Salem Church in West Charlotte, avoid prison sentences. Well, hell will freeze over if they both walk free. Er, from the looks of Bishop Jinwright's photograph, he seems to be holding up pretty well, considering he doesn't seem to have lost any weight yet.

Anthony Jinwright, 54, was convicted on 13 of 18 charges, including conspiracy and multiple counts of filing false tax returns and tax evasion. The charges carry a maximum punishment of 53 years in prison. He was acquitted on five counts of mail fraud.

Harriet Jinwright, 51, was found guilty on four of 13 charges, including conspiracy and tax evasion. Those charges carry a maximum of 20 years in prison. She was acquitted on three counts of tax evasion and six counts of filing false tax returns.

Prosecutors say the Jinwrights lived an extravagant lifestyle and accused the pastors of failing to report more than $2.3 million in taxable income from 2002 to 2007. They failed to pay nearly $700,000 in taxes, prosecutors said.

In their 2007 joint returns, the Jinwrights reported their total wages as $465,507, according to prosecutors. That didn't include a housing allowance of $160,833 and car allowance of $45,826. Source: Charlotte Observer

What galls me is that there are still people in what's left of his church still fanatical about this man and his wife, despite the fact that he and his wife literally robbed them blind and then some. Unbelievable. Stay tuned for more on the prison sentences handed down by the judge. I hope he rips into them.

UPDATE#1 (12/08/10):  According to media reports, the sentencing of the Jinwrights will stretch into tomorrow. Stayed tuned. The hot mess continues to unfold. 

UPDATE#2 (12/09/10):  US District Judge Frank Whitney is inching closer and closer to handing down sentences in the case. According to the Charlotte Observer, he ruled that Anthony Jinwright's culpability is for $1,284,650 in unpaid taxes, while his wife, Harriet Jinwright, is criminally culpable for $1,181,015. These numbers will be used to determine the maximum prison time for the couple, the newspaper said. 

UPDATE#3 (12/10/10): The judge has handed down a sentence. According to the Charlotte Observer, Anthony Jinwright received eight years and nine months in prison, while his wife received six years and eight months. There's more. They must also pay the Internal Revenue Service more than $1million, plus $213,666 to the state. What a sad end to a promising career. Still, Jim Bakker was able to bounce back in some shape or form.