Suspended Employee Alleges that Hillsong Church Made "Large Cash GfIts" to Founder Brian Houston
A new lawsuit has been filed in Australia against Hillsong Church. A suspended employee Natalie Moses alleges the Australia-based megachurch misappropriated donations and gave "large cash gifts" to founding pastor and former Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston, his family and other church leaders.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission is reportedly investigating the church since March to verify if the organization complies with Australian regulations governing the operation of charities.
The 25-page statement of claim filed by Ms Moses's lawyers includes accusations Hillsong illegally hid its international transfers by making payments through its US-based entities. Moses, who worked within the church's financial department, claimed the Australian leadership team suspended her employment after she refused a directive to deceive regulators about its overseas activities.
Along with claims that church leaders made "significant" gifts to church directors and their family and friends, Moses said they used church credit cards to pay for international travel and designer products.
Peter Ridley, the church's chief financial officer, allegedly told key financial department members during a March 29 meeting that God would protect Hillsong during the investigation because "God protects the righteous and Hillsong is the righteous."
The church's lawyers told the ABC it will defend the matter.
"We are further instructed that Hillsong is continuing to work with the enquiries made by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission," they said.
"As the matter is now before the Federal Court of Australia, it is inappropriate to make any further comment."
Tags : Brian Houston Hillsong hillsong church Hillsong lawsuit Natalie Moses Hillsong scandals
Hot Trends
-
Don Moen Addresses Divorce Rumors
-
Attaboy Talks About Their New Music & Making It Accessible for Both Christians & Non-Christians
-
Cory Asbury “Cover to Cover” Album Review
-
Hillsong Worship's Joel Houston Responds to the Use of the Word "Evolution" in "So Will I (100 Billion X)"
-
Yolanda Adams to Host Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on Fox
-
Hinson Family’s Jordy Is Engaged To Logan Smith
-
Brooke Fraser Gives Birth to Second Child
-
You Can Be Part of Hillsong's Brooke Ligertwood Upcoming Live Album "SEVEN"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Gateway “Monuments” Album Review
-
Rappers Mr. Del and FRO Team Up For TROUBLE MAKERS Album
-
Jonathan Evans, Son of Dr. Tony Evans & Former NFL Fullback, Releases New Album
-
Here Are Lyrics to Darlene Zschech's "Yes Again"
-
Lauren Daigle Partners with Bumble App
-
Facebook Silences Christian Music Festival, Labels Page as “Political Account”
Most Popular
-
Don Moen Addresses Divorce Rumors
-
Attaboy Talks About Their New Music & Making It Accessible for Both Christians & Non-Christians
-
Cory Asbury “Cover to Cover” Album Review
-
Hillsong Worship's Joel Houston Responds to the Use of the Word "Evolution" in "So Will I (100 Billion X)"
-
Yolanda Adams to Host Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on Fox
-
Hinson Family’s Jordy Is Engaged To Logan Smith
-
Brooke Fraser Gives Birth to Second Child
-
You Can Be Part of Hillsong's Brooke Ligertwood Upcoming Live Album "SEVEN"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Gateway “Monuments” Album Review
-
Rappers Mr. Del and FRO Team Up For TROUBLE MAKERS Album
-
Jonathan Evans, Son of Dr. Tony Evans & Former NFL Fullback, Releases New Album
-
Here Are Lyrics to Darlene Zschech's "Yes Again"
-
Lauren Daigle Partners with Bumble App
-
Facebook Silences Christian Music Festival, Labels Page as “Political Account”