World’s Wealthiest Pastor, Kenneth Copeland, Under Fire for Dodging Taxes on 18,000sqf Mansion
The home, which was built in 1999, was a gift from the Lord to his wife, according to Copeland
Kenneth Copeland, the world’s wealthiest ‘pastor’, has come under fire after a new investigation by Jay Root of of the Houston Chronicle reported that he is only paying around $3000 a year in property taxes on his mansion, rather than the $150,000 he would normally pay if he weren’t claiming it as a ‘clergy residence.’
Copeland, 85, an arch-heretic if there ever was one, is worth around $770 Million and holds the distinction of being the richest pastor in the world. (He claims he’s a billionaire) Aside from owning several private jets, he lives in an $7 million dollar, 18,000sqf mansion just outside of Fort Worth, Texas.
The property taxes in the area are used to fund schools and the fire department, but the 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom ‘parsonage’ is exempt from that on account of its religious classification, getting a 100% tax break, resulting in a measly $3k being put into county coffers.
The home, which was built in 1999, was a gift from the Lord to his wife, according to Copeland, who claimed the Almighty told him to use it to minister to her, because it was part of his propserity. He told any doubters who were questioning why the need for such oppulence:
“You may think that house is too big. You may think it’s too grand. I don’t care what you think. I heard from heaven. Glory to God, hallelujah!”
Copeland has not responded to the story, which has been reported in several major papers and news agencies, other than a statement from his spokesperson claiming that the article contained “many unfounded claims, misreported facts or grossly exaggerated statements.”