Cerullo building $4M luxury home
CHARLOTTE — A religious broadcaster is building a $4 million home in a gated lakefront community in western South Carolina at the same time that the ministry has cut jobs and reset thermostats in its new headquarters.
Inspiration Network Chief Executive Officer David Cerullo is building the 9,000-square-foot home on a lot that overlooks Lake Keowee, The Charlotte Observer reported Monday.
Charlotte Observer/MCT
Inspiration Network Chief Executive Officer David Cerullo is building one of the most expensive houses in South Carolina at 131 Blue Water Trail, Salem, along Lake Keowee.
Inspiration Network has drawn scrutiny for up to $26 million in incentives it won from South Carolina to move from Charlotte to Indian Land in Lancaster County. Network revenues are expected to approach $100 million, largely donations from people who are told God favors those who donate.
Cerullo has said 80 cents of each dollar that is donated is spent to spread the Gospel.
In addition to laying off workers, the newspaper reported, the ministry froze wages and stopped making contributions to 401(k) retirement accounts. The thermostat at the net-work's new building was cut to 65 degrees during the winter.
A network spokesman did not respond to calls and e-mails requesting comment.
"If they've got these kinds of assets, does the state really need to offer ... tax breaks?" asked Don Weaver, president of the S.C. Association of Taxpayers.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is investigating the finances of six other televangelists and told the newspaper that leaders of religious nonprofits should be careful not to use viewers' donations to adopt extravagant lifestyles.
IRS rules bar nonprofits from paying "unreasonable compensation" to officials.
"Some nonprofit organizations provide compensation usually available only to the top rung of the employee ladder in corporate America," Grassley said in a written statement. "This suggests major flaws in the test for ensuring that executive compensation paid to officers and directors is fair and reasonable."
Pennsylvania resident Gregg Hill donated $5,000 to the network before he was disenchanted with its fundraising. He questions why Cerullo and his wife, who now live in a 12,000 square-foot house in south Charlotte, need such a home.
"He doesn't need to be living in a $4 million house," Hill said. "There are people who could be helped with that money."
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Comments
malthus (anonymous) says...
Doesn't the government usually prosecute cases of fraud? If slapping a cross or two on something and getting a non profit status is all it takes, let me set up a paypal account and tell everyone you'll go to hell if you don't send me twenty bucks.
"A fool and his money are soon parted"
I don't think the higher powers accept credit cards, otherwise there would be stock symbols after each denomination and they would be added into the financial reports. Just imagine,
"Today Inspiration Networks fell twenty points while Muslim and Judaism rose 5 points each..."
June 30, 2009 at 3:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Charlotte Observer, stay on it. You got another one.
June 30, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
It must be gods will.
I mean we know none of these christian TV preachers would lie or spend donations on themselves.
Greg Hill the man who "donated" to this shyster deserves to lose his money.
June 30, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
The fools who worship these folks in hopes of quick money or riches...are some gullible and greedy folks in the name of "god". The preachers who spread these fairy tales are some snake oil salesman.
Both sides deserve what they get. Gimme amen...ahhaha
June 30, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
It's so simple to tell the real ones from the fakes. Just watch where they lay up their treasure, folks.
June 30, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Well, we are the "I Believe" state, aren't we??? To these religious leaders that's like a great big "We're gullible" sign on our license plates. He probably though he could get away with anything in our state:
Hypocrisy runs rampant in ALL organized religion.
June 30, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
I remember Jim Baker saying once that God should not have junk...
June 30, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
It's nice to know that the recession hasn't affected this individual. This is no different than some of these other tv preachers who live like royalty while taking money from widows who live on social security.
If you want to help your community don't give money to scumbags like this. Give money to local charities, do volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, beach cleanups, soup kitchens or work in the prison ministry from a local church. I would just as soon throw my money into a storm drain before giving it to televangelists.
June 30, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"If you want to help your community don't give money to scumbags like this. Give money to local charities, do volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, beach cleanups, soup kitchens or work in the prison ministry from a local church. I would just as soon throw my money into a storm drain before giving it to televangelists."
AMEN!!!!
June 30, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Amen, iceman, direct hands-on direct help is best...time as well as money.
June 30, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustJennings (anonymous) says...
Years ago, I worked in a luxury hotel when a husband/wife team of these tele-evangelists came to stay there while conducting a local "crusade." The luxurious vehicle they took from the airport was unbelievable and included a full bar. I am willing to bet most CEO's of major corporations and even heads of states don't throw away such money on a 20-miinute ride from the airport. When they arrived at the hotel, the $600/night room wasn't good enough FOR THEM, so they moved to the $1500/night presidential suite. I am willing to bet that their "crusade" involved taking money from little old ladies who lived on social security!
June 30, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
eyfigueroa and theronce, Thanks.
When discussing tithes and offerings there is something known as 'sacrificial giving' Although the Bible commands us to give 10%, not everyone is able to afford that kind of money. When someone is giving more than what they can afford we call that sacrificial giving. This is why people such as Cerullo disgust me. I have to wonder how many are giving him money that they don't really have?
It's why I suggest volunteer work with reputable organizations rather than giving money. At our church for example, not everyone can afford to give 10% financially, but we still need volunteers to make sure the flags get put out, to direct traffic for the parking lot, people to make sure the coffee gets made each morning, etc. There are all sorts of ways to give.
June 30, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
Just Jennings, Exactly.
My grandmother knew people in the nursing home who gave money to those crooks and she always had a few words to say about it.
June 30, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
He's just another typical religious fraud exactly like Culbertson, whom I commented on extensively yesterday.
Eyefiguroa noted that I made the best post of the day on that topic. I am flattered and will try to make more such posts. In the meantime, is anyone bored by the constant repetition of this kind of obvious stupidity, evidenced both by the subjects of the articles and also the absurd fascination of the reporters and editors with this kind of thing that leads them to deem this nonsense to be truly important.
I've got the straight scoop. It's all predictable, boring, repetitive and stupid. No wonder those of us whose heads are on straight tire of the constant nonsense.
June 30, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
this is rampant in every charity--try and find out the pay for the head of your local area United Way---when you find out many are making 6 figure salaries will you still give ---and we all know you dont have to give to the United Way at work and it wont effect your pay or promotion--HA
June 30, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cid95 (anonymous) says...
I bet the place is uber-tacky too.
July 1, 2009 at 4:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Pastor is supposed to serve not be served. When you see the opposite run from the place, its a fake.
July 1, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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