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Article: JUSTICE FOR JIM BAKKER.(Main)(Editorial)
- Article from:
- Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)
- Article date:
- August 31, 1991
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1991 Albany Times Union. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In reducing Jim Bakker's sentence to 18 years, a sense of proportion has been restored to the former TV evangelist's case.
Mr. Bakker had been convicted of bilking "partners" who donated money to his vacation park in exchange for free lodging. The government had argued there were not enough rooms to accommodate all those who had made gifts, and Mr. Bakker was found guilty of the fraud.
At the time, U.S. District Judge Robert Potter sentenced the preacher to 45 years in prison. The punishment was, on the face of it, severe and disproportionate to the offense. This is ...