Gateway Church accused of violating RICO in amended class-action lawsuit
Gateway Church, Robert Morris, and Steve Dulin are accused of violating RICO and fraud in an amended lawsuit regarding misappropriated donations.Summary
Gateway Church in Texas, its founder Robert Morris, and founding elder Steve Dulin are facing a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charge in an amended class-action lawsuit. Members allege the defendants misappropriated millions in donations over a decade, falsely claiming 15% would go to global missions and Jewish ministry partners, and guaranteeing refunds. The lawsuit also accuses Morris and Dulin of fraud and misrepresentation.
The amended complaint follows a judge’s rejection of the church’s motion to dismiss the case. Plaintiffs claim a lack of transparent accounting to substantiate the church’s use of funds. Gateway Church and Morris have denied the allegations.
This legal action occurs after Morris resigned in June 2024 amid allegations of sexual abuse and subsequently pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child, receiving a six-month jail sentence. His lawyer stated the guilty plea was to accept responsibility and bring finality to the case.
(Source：Christian Post)