Audit Committee To Discuss ABT Tax Report
On Sunday, July 15th, the Anchorage Daily News ran a comprehensive story by Richard Mauer. It discussed a determination made by municipal tax assessor Marty McGee regarding accusations that the Anchorage Baptist Temple had violated the law relating to specific tax-exempt properties belonging to the church.
Mel Green at Bent Alaska gives us some background:
“The issue was first reported in a story broken by Bent Alaska on August 29, 2011, based on court documents in the divorce trial of ABT pastor Jerry Prevo’s son Allen Prevo and Holly Jo Jaggers (who returned to her maiden name after the divorce), and involved ABT properties in which Allen Prevo and certain other ABT staff members were secretly earning equity — i.e., ownership interest.”
The determination by McGhee was that two of the properties owned by the Anchorage Baptist Temple did not qualify for the religious tax exemption they’ve received for the past six years. As a result, ABT must pay about $60,000.00 in back taxes.
McGhee said the decision is final.
What was Pastor Jerry Prevo’s response?
“I think the Daily News has probably damaged the state of Alaska more than any other one organization by attacking people unjustly — senators and congressmen, oil companies and others.”
Yeeeaaah…Oooo Kayyy…that’s not dodging the issue…
I was greatly interested when I saw that the Municipal Audit Committee, led by Anchorage Assemblywoman Elvi Gray-Jackson has called a meeting on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to discuss the following topics:
–Internal Audit Report 2012-07 Police and Fire Retiree Medical Trust Two-Year Review and
—Property Appraisal Investigation-Religious Property Tax Exemption (Anchorage Baptist Temple)
The meeting will be 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. in the Assembly Conference Room #155 at City Hall (6th & G).
The public is invited and encouraged to attend!
Dr Prevo says he reads the blogs.
I have 2 questions for him.
If you were sure that using the church-owned properties was legal, why keep it a big secret?
What makes you think those of us who do not belong to your church would want to pay one penny more in taxes to subsidize your church?
Following the link and reading Bent Alaska’s report, it was dismaying to learn of the ease with which this religious outfit manipulated the government to revise the taxation law and make it more lax.
Must be nice, being a feckless loser of a son with a daddy who will hire him, buy him a house, and attempt to screw his wife out of a fair property distribution at the expense of the rest of us actual taxpayers.
Thanks for posting, Linda.
Thou shall not lie, steal, cheap, or get divorced!
Linda-
You sneak! 🙂
You didn’t warn us the author of the KTVA article was Bill Mac who asserts as fact that
“That’s a new interpretation of the tax code by the municipality.” which is creeping up on being as hokey as Mr Prevo’s remarks about the staid ADN.
In no way does acting on information which the ABT concealed, as regards “ministers” building personal equity in church owned homes, constitute a new interpretation of the tax code by the municipality. It constitutes , after the gaining proof of the facts, proper and appropriate interpretation of the tax code .
Billy Mac still oplays fast and loose, doesn’t he?
Waiting to hear the outcome of the meeting by the Assembly Audit Committee.
Thanks for keeping us up to date and continued thanks to Mel Green and later the ADN for pursuing this story in the way they have- diligently, fully, and carefully.
Sorry…I know, the folks at KTVA should be embarassed by him.
Reporting the facts is not be expected from him. There have been no new laws or new interpretations here, just an effort to treat all equally – something the Muni should have done all along, and would have, if ABT had been honest. ABT apparently doesn’t much care for the commandment not to bear false witness.
Isn’t part of this story that the AK Legislature slipped this allowance into the Muni Code, or something. Obviously, I need to go back and review the earlier reports. Just askin’ .
Just teasing you LKB.
I pay a lot more attention to bylines on Alaska stories these past few years than I used to- due in large part to your careful attention to details like that.
And yes- KTVA folks should be embarrassed by him. Very much.
Get ’em, Pi!
“i think Jerry Prevo has done more damage to the reputation of Jesus Christ and his message more than any other one Alaskan organization by attacking people unjustly and preaching hatred and intolerance for — gay people, non Christians and others.”
Ivan Bacon
Since I don’t consider Prevo and his ilk Christians, may I suggest the following modification?
I’d replace the word “non” with something else, e.g. “i think Jerry Prevo has done more damage to the reputation of Jesus Christ and his message more than any other one Alaskan organization by attacking people unjustly and preaching hatred and intolerance for — gay people, real Christians and others.”
When caught cheating on your taxes, the best defense is to blame the messenger. I’m sure that is what Jesus would do. (NOT)
Were I ..in the area..I swear I would arrive in a borrowed choir robe..with hot pink five inch stillettos..and vase full of Gatoraid…..