AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) - New details have been released about the FBI raid of an Augusta church back in Summer 2022.

In June 2022, the FBI served a search warrant at the Assembly of Prayer church on Old Tobacco Rd. THE AGENCY ALSO RAIDED ITS SISTER CHURCH, THE HOUSE OF PRAYER IN HINESVILLE. THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS AND FBI CLAIM HOUSE OF PRAYER BIBLE SEMINARIES MADE NUMEROUS FALSE STATEMENTS TO THE VA TO ESTABLISH IT AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AND SECURE REGULAR PAYMENTS.

Veteran Education Group, an organization that says it helps connect military veterans with education opportunities, claims that the church committed fraud by taking G.I. Bill funding without providing proper education in return.

FOR NEARLY A DECADE, THE SCHOOL HAD MORE THAN 200 VETERANS ENROLLED. DURING THAT TIME, THE VA PAID ALMOST $16 MILLION FOR TUITION, HOUSING AND STIPENDS. ALTHOUGH, ITS EDUCATION SERVICES DID NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIRED BY THE VA.

SOME ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE SEMINARY INCLUDE:

  • overstating and otherwise misrepresenting the number of hours
  • MISREPRESENTING QUALIFICATIONS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
  • MISREPRESENTING QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION

During the investigation, the FBI seized more than $150,000 from accounts at South Georgia and First Citizens banks.

 

The church's critics call it a cult that targets veterans and defrauds them of their G.I. Bill money. The church denies those accusations.

Copyright 2023 WFXG. All rights reserved.