Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is responding to a recent round of news articles detailing accusations by former employees that the Christian broadcaster’s officers participated in financial misappropriation and extravagant living at the expense of the network’s donors.
TBN attorney and spokesman Colby May said it was unfortunate that the media had relied on discredited sources for most of the information they used in their coverage.
“The soundness and veracity of these stories are completely undermined when you realize that they depend almost exclusively upon accusations from individuals who admitted they had embezzled and misappropriated over $1 million from the network, and its companion ministry, International Christian Broadcasting,” May explained. “And the most heartbreaking fact is that the wife of one of the central figures in that misappropriation is the granddaughter of TBN’s founders, Paul and Jan Crouch.”
May was referring to Brittany Koper, who for a short time served as the head of TBN’s finance department, until she and husband Michael Koper, who had been in charge of TBN’s airtime sales, were fired for what May calls “embezzlement and financial misappropriation.” Michael’s uncle, Joseph McVeigh, received at least $65,000 in International Christian Broadcasting funds under the guise of a “loan,” May explained.
“What the bulk of media stories don’t explain is that these individuals used lawsuits to contrive absurd allegations that trusted TBN officials had illegally funneled millions of dollars for their own use,” said May. “Add to that the fabrications that Dr. and Mrs. Crouch were using ministry funds to buy jewelry, jets, mansions and mobile homes for dogs, and you have all the ammunition for a stereotypical attack against an esteemed media ministry.”
May explained that the truth left out of the news stories is far different, and reveals a nearly 40-year track record of sound financial and personal integrity by TBN and its founders.
“Since 1973 Dr. and Mrs. Crouch have taken to heart the trust and confidence countless thousands of supporters have placed in this broadcast ministry,” he said, noting that as with all responsible institutions, TBN is subject to both internal and external audits every year, and is regularly monitored by appropriate governmental agencies. “In fact,” May recalled, “when these financial misdeeds came to light, TBN officials immediately reported them to the proper authorities.”
From day one, May emphasized, financial integrity has been at the core of TBN’s relationships with its partners. “That is why, today, TBN stands as the third largest broadcast group in the nation, sending out wholesome faith-and-family programming 24 hours every day around the globe,” he said. “And that sound financial management, along with a commitment to operate debt free, helps assure that hundreds of millions of TBN viewers worldwide will continue to receive TBN’s life-changing programming for many years to come.”
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