subject: Bishop Eddie Long Linked To Mortgage Scam Members Fall Victim [print this page] Bishop Eddie Long Linked To Mortgage Scam Members Fall Victim
Bishop Eddie Long Linked To Mortgage Scam
Breaking News From Pimp Preacher.com
Bishop Eddie Long is being linked to a mortgage scam that is now under investigation by the Feds. Matrix Capital promised to lower people's mortgages for $1,500 upfront. Police say thousands of homeowners paid Matrix money, but according to investigators, most of them ended up in bankruptcy and losing their homes.
Matrix Capital front man Fred Lee and Gary Hawkins were instrumental in selling the scam to church members even to the point of pitching the scam in the middle of the sanctuary. Many of the victims were members of congregation through Atlanta including Bishop Eddie Long's church New Birth.
As reported by CBS News
On Wednesday nights, New Birth is where Lee convinced church members to pay him instead of their mortgages. That is where people started the process that would eventually cost many their homes.
"Where is Eddie Long? Because we would like to talk to him about why he is holding these seminars on his property here," CBS Reporter Wendy Saltzman asked the security guards at New Birth.
"You have to leave the property," the officer responded.
The case against Lee is now being investigated by DeKalb County police and the Secret Service.
Long wouldn't answer Saltzman's questions. In a statement, his spokesman said New Birth only provided Lee with a room to hold his meetings.
But mega church pastor Gary Hawkins did a lot more than that.
"I believe that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this man walks in great integrity," Hawkins said in a Matrix Capital corporate video.
Hawkins is the face of the company's promotional video. He not only brought Fred Lee into his church; he vouched for the man who would eventually be accused of stealing from his church members.
The case against Lee is now being investigated by DeKalb County police and the Secret Service.
Bishop Eddie Long released a statement by his spokesman said New Birth only provided Lee with a room to hold his meetings.
Sheila Robinson were in the taped promotional seminar at Voices of Faith church, and now represents one of the lead complaints against Bishop Eddie Long, Gary Hawkins, and Fred Lee
She paid the $1,500 premium, but later learned she was in trouble with her mortgage company, because Matrix Capital never even made a single call to her bank.
"They are still luring people in, and it is under false pretenses," Robinson said.
Robinson tried to speak with Hawkins, but he wouldn't answer her question, and he wouldn't answer CBS Atlanta's Tough Questions, either.
"He said he would meet with you, but he can't meet with you on camera," Hawkins' assistant told Saltzman.
After promising an off-camera meeting, reporter Wendy Saltzman was told to make an appointment, but Hawkins refused to schedule that meeting even after Saltzman tried multiple times.
Police have spoken with Hawkins, but told CBS Atlanta News he was less than forthcoming with records that would show if payments were made to either the bishop personally or the church.
In a statement, long said Matrix Capital is no longer holding seminars at New Birth.
For more breaking news into the Bishop Eddie Long Mortgage Scandal please visit www.PimpPreacher.com
