Two former churchgoers say they were swindled out of a small fortune by the leaders of the Soul Factory, a large African American church in Prince George's County -- accusations the church denies. (Pictured: Deron Cloud, pastor of Soul Factory)
In a lawsuit filed against the church, the married couple, Jose and Yvette Strickland, say they lent nearly $900,000 under a verbal agreement to the Soul Factory so that it could open a satellite church in Atlanta. The church says the money was a gift.
"It was not a loan; it was a donation," said Timothy Obitts, a lawyer hired by the church. He said the church is in the process of filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
The suit, filed Sept. 30, has surprised members of the Soul Factory, a popular church among young blacks in Forestville. The church is known for its use of hip-hop and pop culture and its contemporary plays, such as "Two Angry People in Love Going Thru Hell." It draws a few thousand congregants each Sunday.
According to the Stricklands, they began regularly attending the Soul Factory in 2000. In 2005, the church's founder and pastor, Deron Cloud, began courting Jose Strickland's financial help, the couple said, by inviting him to Wizards basketball games, on trips to Las Vegas and other activities and introducing him to top church leaders.
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Source: William Wan, Washington Post
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Love to let you see the press release and the lawsuit that was filed. Just email me.