Evangelical Scammer Gets Just Desserts From The Law

Texas Mistress Sentenced to Life for Role in Defrauding Elderly Churchgoers

A Texas woman, Debra Mae Carter, 65, was sentenced to life in prison for her role in a Ponzi scheme that targeted elderly churchgoers. Her accomplice and former Texas radio host, William Neil "Doc" Gallagher, was previously sentenced to three life sentences plus 30 years.

According to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Carter was found guilty by a jury of money laundering in a scheme that scammed over 170 people out of $31 million. The majority of the victims were elderly, and their retirement savings were lost.

"These were hard-earned retirement (dollars) which … got put into her account over and over again," Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney Lori Varnell said during the trial. "She is a blight on society... She's just a liar. That's what she does."

The Texas State Securities Board stated that Gallagher, AKA the "Money Doctor," promoted his fraudulent investment business, Gallagher Financial Group, on Christian radio and in books such as "Jesus Christ, Money Master." Carter and Gallagher's scam left many elderly victims struggling financially, including 84-year-old Brenda Wilkerson, who lost $50,000 and is now facing mortgage payments until her death.

Fox 4 News reports that Wilkerson has only received $4,200 of her original investment back. This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of financial fraud and the devastation it can cause to vulnerable communities.