David A. Thompson, of Canal Winchester, Ohio and believed to be in his late 40s, was found guilty today of embezzling more than $1 million from his church, The World of Pentecost Church in Columbus, where he had served as pastor. Specifically, Thompson was found guilty on charges of theft, money laundering and tampering with records by a Franklin County Common Pleas judge. Prosecutors alleged that Thompson misappropriated funds from the church over a 9 year period from 1998 to 2007. He was charged with the thefts in 20 felony counts in late February 2009 and was alleged to have stolen funds from the church's building and assistance funds which he spent to support a lavish lifestyle, including expenditures on luxury cars, a pool, a boat and hair treatments. Thompson became pastor in 1995. He faces nearly 90 years in prison upon sentencing, scheduled for December 1, 2010.Update (12/2/10): Thompson was sentenced yesterday to 5 years in prison and must pay $733,000 in restitution.
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