American Pastor Sentenced to 35 Years for Church Embezzlement Scheme
Whitney Foster, 56, the pastor of True Foundation, a nondenominational church in Dallas, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for orchestrating a scheme to fraudulently acquire properties belonging to three local churches, valued at over $800,000.
Foster, leading a small congregation without a permanent meeting place, was found guilty by a Dallas County jury of theft involving the First Christian Church in Lancaster, Texas, Canada Drive Christian Church, and Church at Ninevah.
According to prosecutors, Foster illegally transferred ownership of these church properties by filing fraudulent deeds. He falsely listed himself and his church as grantees, while fabricating church officials’ names to legitimize the transactions.
The fraudulent deeds listed Foster’s church as the grantee, effectively transferring the property to himself. The total value of the properties exceeded $800,000.
Notably, Foster’s congregation was still using one of the stolen properties, and another remains in legal limbo due to his actions.
Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot emphasized the severity of Foster’s crimes, highlighting the significant impact on the affected congregations.
“Stealing real estate is an incredibly serious and damaging crime. It’s worse than the theft of someone’s vehicle or other possessions,” Creuzot stated. “When someone steals property, we must hold them accountable because they are hurting people.”
The jury also reviewed evidence of seven additional fraudulent activities beyond the three for which Foster was convicted. Foster has a criminal history that includes convictions for identity theft and arson.
In 2021, it came to light that the First Christian Church of Lancaster had lost ownership of their property when it was deeded for $10 to an individual not affiliated with the church.
Foster claimed he believed the building was vacant and maintained that his intention was to provide a place for his congregation.
He told a local news station, “You can acquire a property for $10 with nonprofits. The church is community property. … It wasn’t Whitney buying it. Our church was getting it. I was fixing to open up a church there.”
Despite his defense, the court found Foster’s actions to be a deliberate scheme to defraud these churches, leading to his lengthy prison sentence.
American Pastor Sentenced to 35 Years for Church Embezzlement Scheme
