Suspended Employee Alleges that Hillsong Church Made "Large Cash GfIts" to Founder Brian Houston
A new lawsuit has been filed in Australia against Hillsong Church. A suspended employee Natalie Moses alleges the Australia-based megachurch misappropriated donations and gave "large cash gifts" to founding pastor and former Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston, his family and other church leaders.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission is reportedly investigating the church since March to verify if the organization complies with Australian regulations governing the operation of charities.
The 25-page statement of claim filed by Ms Moses's lawyers includes accusations Hillsong illegally hid its international transfers by making payments through its US-based entities. Moses, who worked within the church's financial department, claimed the Australian leadership team suspended her employment after she refused a directive to deceive regulators about its overseas activities.
Along with claims that church leaders made "significant" gifts to church directors and their family and friends, Moses said they used church credit cards to pay for international travel and designer products.
Peter Ridley, the church's chief financial officer, allegedly told key financial department members during a March 29 meeting that God would protect Hillsong during the investigation because "God protects the righteous and Hillsong is the righteous."
The church's lawyers told the ABC it will defend the matter.
"We are further instructed that Hillsong is continuing to work with the enquiries made by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission," they said.
"As the matter is now before the Federal Court of Australia, it is inappropriate to make any further comment."
Tags : Brian Houston Hillsong hillsong church Hillsong lawsuit Natalie Moses Hillsong scandals
Hot Trends
-
DocuFilm "The Lunatic Farmer" Follows the Life of Joel Salatin
-
Lee Greenwood to Receive Prestigious 2025 Horatio Alger Award
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Attaboy Talks About Their New Music & Making It Accessible for Both Christians & Non-Christians
-
Former Rock Star Tour Manager Kelly K Shares About His Near-Death Accident, Coming to Christ, His New Book & More
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Tasha Layton on Her Suicide Attempt, Singing with Katy Perry & Working on Her Own Music
-
TAYA Leaves Hillsong Church
-
New Film "Breaking into Beautiful" Tells the Story of Faith in One Woman's Fight Against Cancer
-
10 of Our Favorite Quotes from John Piper's New Book "Providence"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Dru Hammer Tells Her Story of Heartache and Faith via Her Debut Memoir "Hammered"
-
Darlene Zschech and Here Be Lions Release New Worship Song "I Speak Jesus"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bethel Music's "Nothing Else (Featuring Edward Rivera)"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
Most Popular
-
DocuFilm "The Lunatic Farmer" Follows the Life of Joel Salatin
-
Lee Greenwood to Receive Prestigious 2025 Horatio Alger Award
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Attaboy Talks About Their New Music & Making It Accessible for Both Christians & Non-Christians
-
Former Rock Star Tour Manager Kelly K Shares About His Near-Death Accident, Coming to Christ, His New Book & More
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Tasha Layton on Her Suicide Attempt, Singing with Katy Perry & Working on Her Own Music
-
TAYA Leaves Hillsong Church
-
New Film "Breaking into Beautiful" Tells the Story of Faith in One Woman's Fight Against Cancer
-
10 of Our Favorite Quotes from John Piper's New Book "Providence"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Dru Hammer Tells Her Story of Heartache and Faith via Her Debut Memoir "Hammered"
-
Darlene Zschech and Here Be Lions Release New Worship Song "I Speak Jesus"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bethel Music's "Nothing Else (Featuring Edward Rivera)"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French