Brooklyn pastor confesses to embezzling million from church daycare funds.

A Brooklyn pastor has pled guilty to embezzling million over a span of seven years from a day care program affiliated with his church. The Rev. Paul Mitchell, 60, acknowledged his misconduct during a hearing in federal court, admitting to actions that violated the Eighth Commandment, which prohibits theft.

Mitchell served as the leader of the Changing Lives Christian Center located in East New York. He was accused by federal prosecutors of misappropriating funds that were earmarked for the supervision and development of vulnerable youth entrusted to the church’s care. Specific allegations reveal that he utilized stolen funds for personal expenses including luxury items and even purchased an engagement ring for his fiancée.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella emphasized the breach of trust inherent in Mitchell’s actions, noting that he treated the church’s financial accounts as his personal assets. This situation highlights significant concerns about financial accountability within religious institutions. Nocella remarked on the importance of safeguarding places of worship from criminal activities that undermine their mission.

Between 2015 and 2022, the pastor allegedly used church and day care credit cards to cover personal expenses that included clothing, jewelry, luxury accessories, and life insurance premium payments. Notably, in 2015, he acquired a watch valued at 5 and around a year later, a smoky quartz and diamond ring costing over ,000. In 2018, he further misused funds to purchase a diamond engagement ring priced at more than ,100.

Mitchell has been accused of writing checks from both the church’s and day care’s bank accounts to funnel money into his personal accounts while neglecting to report this income on his tax returns. According to Harry Chavis, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New York, Mitchell was entrusted with donations meant to support the community, but instead opted to enrich himself illegally.

Although Mitchell was released on his own recognizance and required to surrender his passport and firearms, he now faces a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison, along with obligations for restitution and additional monetary penalties. This case shines a light on the vulnerabilities in oversight and accountability mechanisms that govern financial activities in religious organizations and underscores the need for vigilance against such criminal behavior.