A Louisiana pastor has been charged with defrauding two church organizations of over $340,000 to finance his gambling addiction and personal expenditures, according to federal prosecutors.
Dale Sanders, 56, from Kenner, has been convicted on 25 charges, including wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation after a five-day jury trial, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to federal prosecutors, Sanders laundered money between April 2020 and April 2024 by transferring church funds from church bank accounts to accounts he controlled. In addition, Sanders misappropriated a church debit card to buy goods for his personal benefit, authorities noted.
Sanders used the stolen money to finance his gambling activities, food, and living expenses, among others, which amounted to over $340,000, according to prosecutors.
According to authorities, Sanders served as a pastor at Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie at that time.
In addition, Sanders attempted to obstruct the federal investigation by sending a fake document in response to the grand jury subpoena, prosecutors claim.
Sanders will be sentenced on Oct. 13. He faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
