Staccato Powell, a former bishop of the AME Zion Church, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges including wire and mail fraud. Over four years, he and Sheila Quintana misled congregations across California into transferring the deeds of their church properties to a private company they controlled. This company secured millions in high-interest loans against these properties, amounting to $14 million in total fraud. Powell's manipulation included claiming that a higher church authority mandated the transfers, misleading pastors about loan amounts and necessity, leading to significant financial misconduct.
Staccato Powell, a former national leader of the AME Zion Church, pleaded guilty to defrauding congregations in California and took in $14 million from fraudulent loans.
Powell and associate Sheila Quintana misled pastors and congregations into signing over church property deeds, using them as collateral for high-interest loans.
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