Pastor convicted of stealing over $340,000 to fund gambling, personal expenses

A 56-year-old pastor and author from Louisiana, United States, has been convicted of stealing over $340,000 from two churches where he ministered. The pastor, Dale Sanders, used the money to fund gambling and other personal expenses. Sanders was found guilty on a 25-count federal indictment, which included charges of wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation, following a five-day jury trial, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Prosecutors said Sanders, a resident of Kenner, withdrew money from one church’s bank accounts and transferred the funds for his personal use to support lavish spending, including gambling, dining, and living expenses. According to his social media profiles, Sanders served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie.