CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — A judge handed down sentences for two local pastors late Thursday night convicted of tax evasion.
Anthony Jinwright will spend 8 years, 9 months in prison and will be forced to pay $1.2 million in restitution. His wife Harriet will serve a 6 year, 8 month sentence and will have to pay $1.1 million in restitution. Judge Frank Whitney ruled those amounts are what the Jinwrights owe in back taxes.
The exact amount is important because how much they owe makes a difference in what federal sentencing guidelines say their sentence will be. The higher the amount owed, the harsher the sentence.
VIDEO: Sentences Handed Down For Jinwrights After Lengthy Hearing
During the hearing, Harriet addressed the judge and asked for mercy and an opportunity to get it right. Anthony also spoke to the judge, and said he was humbled, humiliated, disgraced, and stripped of his dignity and reputation through this whole ordeal.
But the judge said he didn't think that was enough and didn't sense remorse so that is why he handed down the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins spoke after the sentencing. She said this wasn't about race or religion but about tax evasion. She sees this as significant and hopes this sends a message to anyone else thinking about filing false tax returns.
The sentencing hearing for the Jinwrights, who formerly led Greater Salem Church in west Charlotte, lasted all day Wednesday and Thursday. The couple was convicted in May of tax evasion, mail fraud and conspiracy after they failed to report more than $2 million of taxable income.
Harriett Jinwright was allowed to remain free after being convicted on four charges, including tax evasion and conspiracy. Anthony Jinwright, who was convicted of 13 charges, including tax evasion and filing false returns, has been jailed since the conviction.
The maximum sentence for Anthony Jinwright is 53 years, while Harriett could face about 20 years.
The judge was forced to start proceedings late on Wednesday because so many people showed up. An upstairs room in the courthouse was opened so that the overflow crowd could watch the proceedings on a TV screen.
Dozens of supporters returned to the courthouse on Thursday.
Former State Sen. Robert Pitier testified as a character witness for Anthony Jinwright on Wednesday. He said he has known the pastor since the late 1980s and characterized him as a genuine man who was committed to the ministry and very respected in the National Baptist Church.
Pitier testified that he witnessed members of the church giving love offerings, which are personal monetary gifts to the pastor, "as many African-American churches do," he said.
In cross-examination, prosecutors reminded Pitier that multiple warnings were received from certified accountants over the years that love offerings are considered taxable income and that they are supposed to be claimed that way. Prosecutors went on to call Anthony Jinwright a 19-year tax cheat, saying he owes more than $1 million in taxes from income that he intentionally failed to report.
After a day and a half of testimony from accountants, Judge Frank Whitney ruled Thursday that Anthony Jinwright owes more than $1.2 million in back taxes and that Harriet Jinwright owes $1.1 million. The exact amount is important because how much they owe makes a difference in what federal sentencing guidelines say their sentence will be. The higher the amount owed, the harsher the sentence.
Previous Stories: November 11, 2010: Church Set For Auction After Pastors Convicted Of Tax Evasion April 7, 2010: Tax-Evasion Trial Starts For Charlotte Pastors March 25, 2010: High-Living Pastors Freed Until Tax Trials September 30, 2009: Pastor, Wife Accused Of Tax Evasion Appear In Court, Thank Supporters September 22, 2009: Tax Charges Expanded; Pastor's Wife Accused April 23, 2009: Charlotte Bishop Responds To Tax Evasion Charges
WSOC
