Former pastor sentenced to 12 years for theft of charitable funds, patronizing prostitution
FROM RAY WHITLEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL, SUMNER COUNTY, TN:
FORMER PASTOR SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR THEFT OF CHARITABLE FUNDS AND PATRONIZING PROSTITUTION
Today, Assistant District Attorneys Thomas B. Dean and Christopher V. Boiano secured felony convictions in Sumner County Criminal Court against 83-year-old James Neil Gill. Criminal Court Judge Dee David Gay sentenced Gill to 12 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction following his guilty pleas to Theft of Property over $60,000 (Class B felony) and Patronizing Prostitution (Class A misdemeanor).
Gill, the former Executive Director of the Sumner County Food Bank (SCFB) and senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Gallatin, misused charitable donations meant to serve vulnerable residents. In May 2022, the Sumner County District Attorney’s Office requested assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) regarding suspected financial misconduct involving Gill and SCFB’s operations account.
The TBI investigation revealed that Gill:
- Issued checks to himself and others
- Redirected food bank funds to personal and unrelated nonprofit accounts he controlled
- Used food bank resources to pay a female volunteer in exchange for sexual services
- Made extensive personal purchases using the SCFB debit card
- Funded improvements to his private residence with SCFB funds
SCFB was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2009 by Gill and members of Liberty Baptist Church. It operated almost entirely with unpaid volunteers. Between February 2020 and May 2022, records show Gill authorized the misappropriation of substantial charitable assets, including:
- Over $200,000 in payments to himself
- $130,000 to the Director of Operations
- $40,000 to the SCFB Treasurer
- Nearly 100 checks made out to “cash,” all endorsed by Gill
- Purchase of a 2018 Chevy Silverado for personal use, directly from the SCFB account
In January 2022, Gill announced SCFB’s closure, citing health concerns. In response, First Baptist Church of Hendersonville formed a new nonprofit, Feed Sumner Food Bank and Ministry (FSFB), to continue food distribution in the county. SCFB equipment and vehicles were sold to FSFB to support its launch. However, church leaders soon discovered that although over $300,000 had been deposited from asset sales, only $28,000 remained in SCFB’s bank account.
Liberty Baptist Church officials reviewed SCFB’s bank records and reported their findings to law enforcement. In February 2023, TBI agents executed a search warrant at Gill’s residence in Bethpage, Tennessee, where they recovered approximately $114,000 in cash hidden in a safe.
The Sumner County District Attorney’s Office acknowledge TBI Special Agent Miranda Gaddis for her outstanding work, professionalism, and commitment to justice in this matter. We are also grateful to Liberty Baptist Church leaders and members of the public who came forward to report Gill’s misconduct.
As of today, over $300,000 has been recovered through judicial forfeiture from Gill and his co-defendants. These funds will be transferred directly to Feed Sumner Food Bank and Ministry, ensuring continued support for Sumner County residents in need.
“Abuse of public trust—especially involving charitable organizations—will be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by this office.” Thomas B. Dean, Assistant District Attorney, Sumner County Tennessee.
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