They did provide a tour of their facility, pointing to damage on several interior doors with splinters near the frames allegedly caused by agents during their raid. Law enforcement officials declined requests to detail what the raids were about.Ī reporter visited the church's campus in Hinesville to ask about the federal investigation, but congregants declined to answer questions or comment.

Those locations included Hinesville and Augusta, Georgia Tacoma, Washington Killeen, Texas and Fayetteville, North Carolina.Īuthorities seized computers, church records and cash, but made no arrests. The FBI raided five church facilities - all right outside major military installations - in June. 'They said this was another way God is going to bless the church while blessing you as well,' said Rosalie Wright, an Army veteran and mother of four who was talked into spending her GI Bill benefits at the church. Injured veterans were also coached on how to maximize VA disability payments, which would then be donated to the church, the former members told.

Since 2013, the church collected more than $7 million in GI Bill payments for Bible study classes, which former students and the former director of the program say were little more than disorganized meetings that provided little to no educational content for veterans.įormer members also allege Denis and the church pressured veteran members to apply for home loans through the Department of Veterans Affairs so they could cash in on the cheaper interest rates and then charge rent that was handed over to the church.

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