PORTLAND (AP) — The former pastor of a Brunswick church has been sentenced to two years of probation for receiving nearly $150,000 in federal benefits while also collecting a salary.
Carroll Freemont Pennell had faced 18 months in prison at sentencing Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland.
The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1dJQHOQ ) reported that the judge said he showed the 69-year-old Pennell leniency because of his failing health and because the cost of Pennell’s care in prison would exceed the amount he stole.
Prosecutors said Pennell took the money over 10 years while pastor of the Word of God Fellowship Church.
The benefits were contingent on him not earning more than $500 per month. Prosecutors say he got around the rule by having his $300-per-week salary issued to his wife.
Pennell apologized in court.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.