Mac Hammond, Living Word fight IRS investigation in District Court

Pastor Mac Hammond and Living Word Christian Center–under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service for alleged favorable loans and compensation provided to Hammond by the church’s board–had their day in court Thursday as the mega-church fights to keep certain documents related to church finances out of the hands of the IRS.

Specifically, the IRS is looking for detailed information regarding favorable loans the church made to Hammond of almost $2 million and payments the church made to Hammond to rent a hangar for the church’s jet.

Hammond: IRS probe of church politically motivated

In a letter sent to supporters on Saturday, Pastor Mac Hammond of Living Word Christian Center wrote that “enemies of the gospel, often politically motivated,” are behind an ongoing Internal Revenue Service probe of the church. Hammond and…

Mac Hammond’s Living Word facing IRS investigation

The Internal Revenue Service is investigating whether Living Word Christian Center violated the law for favorable compensation and loan dealings it gave to church founder and pastor Mac Hammond. Those compensation and loan dealings were first reported by the Minnesota Independent in February 2007.

The church has resisted demands by the IRS to open its books for an audit, and the agency filed a petition in United States District Court ordering the church to comply. Earlier this month, a magistrate ordered the church to appear and explain its refusal to comply with the IRS. In response to a summons in March, a church attorney told the IRS they would not comply until “an appropriate high-level IRS official” using “reasonable belief” requested information.

Pastor Mac Hammond still loves Michele Bachmann

Pastor Mac Hammond of the Living Word Christian Center, a Brooklyn Park mega-church, gave Rep. Michele Bachmann a campaign donation of $2,100 this campaign cycle. The controversy generated by his support for Bachmann’s first run for Congress doesn’t seem to have scared off the prosperity pastor.

Fly Air Hammond!

Living Word Christian Center Pastor Mac Hammond has logged more than 56,000 miles in his private airplane in just three months, according to records obtained by Minnesota Monitor. 

Hammond has flown 13  times, mostly between Anoka and Destin,…

At Club 3 Degrees, Support for Hammond

A small crowd gathered to watch Mac Hammond’s Sunday sermon at Club 3° was largely supportive of the embattled pastor.

The group of parishioners gave Hammond a standing ovation as he introduced himself via satellite feed.  As Hammond defended himself…

Mac Hammond: “I would almost welcome an IRS audit”

Pastor Mac Hammond acknowledged Sunday that he is well-compensated by Living Word Christian Center, and affirmed many of the charges against him, but justified his financial dealings with the church, saying “If I don’t understand the principles that govern increase,…

Law Firm Demands CREW Remove Financial Documents from Web Site; CREW Refuses

A legal firm representing the banking group involved in the 2003 financial assessment of Living Word Christian Center (LWCC) has sent a cease and desist letter to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).  The letter …

CREW Alleges Living Word Paid for Pastor’s Stunt Plane

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) today provided the Internal Revenue Service additional information, alleging further improper financial support from Living Word Christian Center (LWCC) for its pastor, Mac Hammond.

CREW alleges that the Brooklyn Park church…