Minister indicted on 16 counts
Harold Hicks accused of stealing $80,000 in mortgage scheme
By John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published December 18, 2008 at 10:01 a.m.
Photo by Preston Gannaway / The Rocky
The Rev. Harold Hicks of Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church has been indicted by a Denver grand jury on theft and forgery charges.
Photo by Linda McConnell / Special To The Rocky
Deborah Richardson, a former parishioner at the church, cries as she discusses the Rev. Harold Hicks, who she says victimized her. She has filed for bankruptcy and has been out of work since July when she lost her job at a bank.
Photo by Preston Gannaway / The Rocky
Sherri Wrightsil says Hicks duped her, ruining her credit and forcing her to file for bankruptcy last year.
A Denver grand jury has returned a 16-count indictment against a prominent northeast Denver minister, accusing him of stealing at least $80,000 through a mortgage fraud scheme.
The Rev. Harold Hicks, pastor of the Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church, was the subject of a Rocky Mountain News investigation last year.
Hicks allegedly used unwitting parishioners from his church as surrogate or "straw" buyers to conduct real estate fraud, according to the indictment and the Rocky investigation.
The felony counts of various levels of theft carry maximum penalties of six years to 12 years in prison. In addition, he is charged with eight counts of forgery, which carry penalties of up to three years, a spokeswoman for the district attorney said.
A warrant for Hicks' arrest has been issued.
The indictment alleges that Hicks "facilitated" the submission of mortgage-loan applications with false information for his surrogate buyers, allowing them to secure loans - often at low interest - for which they did not qualify.
In some cases, the parishioners were buying the homes from a company controlled by Hicks or family members, according to the indictment, as well as documents reviewed by the Rocky.
One source of profit in the scheme, according to documents, was the difference between the original purchase price and the inflated price paid by the surrogate buyer. Hicks also rented the properties, but failed to remit the mortgage payment, and each ended up in foreclosure.
'It shatters their faith'
The indictment alleges that lenders made loans on at least eight properties that were based on applications with false information, resulting in losses of at least $80,000.
"It is one of the most heinous examples of real estate fraud I've ever seen," said Jim Spray, a mortgage fraud expert familiar with details of the Hicks case. "To use his level of trust and abuse it severely, and hurt people so deeply that it shatters their faith . . . heinous doesn't even describe it."
The indictment detailed the alleged scams that started in February 2005 that cost lenders including Countrywide Home Loans, BNC Mortgage and Fieldstone Mortgage, thousands of dollars. The indictment alleges Hicks' schemes "unlawfully, feloniously and falsely" presented lenders with documents that cost them money.
Hicks did not return calls Thursday made to his home in Aurora and to his church. He was not at the church Thursday afternoon, and when a reporter and photographer went to his house, a woman who answered the door said she did not know where Hicks was.
Sherri Wrightsil was one of the surrogate buyers named in the indictment, as well as in the Rocky investigation.
Wrightsil, 48, said Hicks duped her into the schemes, including a $10,000 loan that she made to him that he never paid back. Her credit was ruined, which forced her to file for bankruptcy last year, she said. Her Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy filing listed $500,001 to $1 million in liabilities and less than $50,000 in assets.
Public records indicate she bought seven rental properties for about $845,000, all of them through the alleged schemes orchestrated by Hicks.
All of the dilapidated properties were within a five-minute drive of Hicks' church at 2575 Vine St. Most of the purchases occurred in 2005 when Wrightsil said she was earning $12 an hour, although at one point she signed a document presented to her by Hicks that falsely stated she was earning $4,650 a month from Omega Development Group. Hicks was the CEO of Omega and his son, T.D. Hicks, was the treasurer.
"I'm glad it is just about over. God had a plan and now we will get to see the end result," Wrightsil said when she heard that Hicks had been indicted.
"I think for the people he ripped off, he should pay some kind of restitution to them and do something to help straighten out their credit," she said.
'You have to pay'
Wrightsil said she now lives in a $700-a-month, two-bedroom apartment, after losing her trailer in a foreclosure, caused by the huge amount of debt she took on when she bought homes on behalf of Hicks. She takes care of her 15-year-old granddaughter.
Wrightsil said she hasn't spoken to Hicks in about 18 months. Since she left the church, she has been back only twice - once for a funeral and about three weeks ago when a friend was ordained as a minister by Hicks at the service.
"I didn't try to hide," she said. "He looked right at me."
Wrightsil said she still is facing tax liabilities for the properties that she bought that ended up in foreclosure.
Deborah Richardson, another former parishioner at the church, also was enlisted as a surrogate buyer by Hicks, according to the indictment and the Rocky investigation published in July 2007.
Richardson also has filed for bankruptcy and has been out of work since this past July when she lost her job at a bank.
"(Hicks), like everybody else when you do wrong, you have to pay," Richardson said. "I have stayed away. I have not gone back to the church, I do not socialize with nobody at the church."
On a wall in the church, there is a framed picture of Hicks and a framed biography.
A portion of the biography has this to say: "Harold has had many business ventures - always lending a hand to anyone in need in whatever way he could. Sometimes this sincere generosity was at a high cost - losing and sacrificing so much."
rebchookj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5207
The charges
* The Rev. Harold Joe Hicks faces eight counts of theft and eight counts of forgery:
Count No. 1: Theft of $20,000 or more from Countrywide Home Loans
Count No. 2: Forgery with intent to defraud Countrywide and Richard Martin
Count No. 3: Theft of $20,000 or more from Fieldstone Mortgage Co.
Count No. 4: Forgery with intent to defraud Fieldstone and Martin
Count No. 5: Theft of $1,000 or more to $20,000 or less from BNC Mortgage Inc.
Count No. 6: Forgery with intent to defraud BNC Mortgage and Martin
Count No. 7: Theft of $20,000 or more from Countrywide
Count No. 8: Forgery with intent to defraud Countrywide and Sherri Wrightsil
Count No. 9: Theft of $20,000 or more from Countrywide
Count No. 10: Forgery with intent to defraud Countrywide and Wrightsil
Count No. 11: Theft of $1,000 or more to $20,000 or less from BNC
Count No. 12: Forgery with intent to defraud BNC and Wrightsil
Count No. 13: Theft of $1,000 or more to $20,000 or less from Fieldstone
Count No. 14: Forgery with intent to defraud Fieldstone and Wrightsil
Count No. 15: Theft of $1,000 or more to $20,000 or less from BNC
Count No. 16: Forgery with intent to defraud Fieldstone and Wrightsil
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December 18, 2008
10:26 a.m.
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BRM writes:
Doing God's work no doubt.
December 18, 2008
10:37 a.m.
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whazzamattau writes:
This fraud is doing his own work while revealing who he is actually working for...himself.
December 18, 2008
10:38 a.m.
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dwood writes:
Couldn't wait for the bake sale. He was just trying to accelerate the fund raising for the new church.
December 18, 2008
10:55 a.m.
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OldSailor writes:
God helps those who help themselves.....
December 18, 2008
10:55 a.m.
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SheikYurBooty writes:
I'm SHOCKED!! SHOCKED I say!!!! When are people going to learn???? Self-proclaimed "ministers" always made my antennea go up.
December 18, 2008
10:59 a.m.
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ThingFish writes:
Mortgage isn't the only fraud he was involved with.
December 18, 2008
11 a.m.
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fmikey writes:
These commonplace and repeated stories of clergy malfeasance certainly give us little reason to respect and revere our clergy of all stripes.....certainly gives us pause as to the role of organized religion in our society. As always, no one can speak for you or in reality advise you as to your own beliefs as much as these people think they have special dispensation to do so.
Yeah, I know innocent until proven guilty, but apparently the proof is there or else this buffoon wouldn't have been indicted.
Elmer Gantry lives!!
December 18, 2008
11:03 a.m.
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wyhammertime writes:
Greed a has hit the pulpit ...... Sign of the times !! Just remember "Send your money to the Lord " just use my name and address !!!!
December 18, 2008
11:07 a.m.
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OldSailor writes:
I have never beleived in any religion. They're all built on myths and lies. Like Christmas....no one know what day of the year Christ was born on or even what year he was born. I never did believe the "Christmas Story", now it has became just a commercial time of year to go to Jarads or Zales to show someone you "really love them".
December 18, 2008
11:18 a.m.
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B300 writes:
I agree with oldsailor; One might beleive in God, just not religon! The recent activities of religious leaders is pathetic. I personally dont know how people even go to church anymore. What are they believeing in? To me all religious leaders are criminals in one way or another. Set an example; FRY this POS!
December 18, 2008
11:38 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
"Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste. I been around for a long, long years, saw many a man sell their fate. I was 'round when Jesus Christ has his moment of doubt and pain. Made damn sure pilot washed his hand to seal His fate...". What's new?
December 18, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
B300 writes: "One might believe in God, just not religion! The recent activities of religious leaders is pathetic."
I would qualify what B300 says by adding "the recent activities of (some) religious leaders is pathetic". Absolutely! But you have to keep some perspective. For every one Hicks or one Haggard, there are thousands doing good work and helping a lot of people that never get any press.
Am I excusing these guys? No way - I'm their harshest critic. Just "don't throw out the baby with the bathwater".
December 18, 2008
11:48 a.m.
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DenverGirl78 writes:
If you're really self-important and delusional enough to believe that your calling is to deliver the commands of an invisible god to the people of earth...
December 18, 2008
11:51 a.m.
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Acemon writes:
Where is our good pal LetsThink? I'm sure he'll quickly blame this on the liberal world and liberal media, then point out how being angry at this upstanding and decent man will lead to the downfall of America.
December 18, 2008
12:08 p.m.
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Rex writes:
Praise the lord.
December 18, 2008
12:28 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
After all charity begins at home and god told him he needed a new cadillac and a new fur coat for the wife.
Now he can minister to those convicts in prison and help show them the errors of ones ways.
Then maybe he can get right with god and clean the slate of his sins.
December 18, 2008
12:46 p.m.
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Mtnsjohn writes:
I was defrauded by a mechanic in an auto repair shop once, so decided on that basis all auto mechanics are crooked and decided I will never go back.
You find the good and the bad, and hypocrites in every occupation. There are teachers who should not teach, news reporters who are biased, preachers who should not be preaching, cooks who spit in food, financial advisors who Ponzi scheme to rob billions from the innocents, and governors who will sell a senate job to the highest bidder.
It all boils down to self-love and greed, and we have all practiced it to one degree or another. So how does one acquire honesty and virtue? Maybe the answer is to try to conform to a set of standards outside oneself. The value in external standards is that they have a little more consistency than the "fly by the seat of your pants" morality used to justify just about everything by just about everyone.
That there are those who fail to live up to or ignore their religious faith isn't a big surprise. For those who misuse religion for their own selfish gain, a special place in Hell awaits.
December 18, 2008
12:49 p.m.
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B300 writes:
Cowboy I know you are right! But in lite of recent activities from these people makes you wonder about all of it. You know; one bad apple! Good luck to the people who beleive.
December 18, 2008
12:49 p.m.
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OldFart writes:
These people are supposed to set the example and be leaders in their community, but they are just criminals (or alleged criminals) plain and simple.....Acen Phillips, Ted Haggard, Hubert O'Connor, Joe Ratcliff, Larry Crocker, Jerry Falwell, Jim Baker and now Harold Hicks. Taking advantage of people (Financially, sexually, spiritually, kids) when they are down and looking for help by a "man of the cloth" is the lowest level of scum there is.
December 18, 2008
1:27 p.m.
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UrsusArctos writes:
I'm glad all you haters never had a loved one close to death, or you yourselves never needed God's help. I bet you'll be singing a different tune someday. Out of the blue, a car hits you, or you get cancer, or you child is sick - who are you going to be talking to then, huh? This guy will get his reward, God is watching. But don't ever think you don't need God, or you are above him. Humble yourselves now, before you are begging for his love and mercy.
December 18, 2008
1:42 p.m.
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SheikYurBooty writes:
UA - Only 1 god is watching? I thought there were dozens of gods? Did that god kill off the others adn win to be the god of gods?? And which god is it? I hope it's Pele 'cause I love volcanos....
December 18, 2008
1:48 p.m.
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woodjt1 writes:
Mtnsjohn - Thanks for the perspective, it was much needed. And you're right, for every one "pastor" who defrauds, there are thousands more who toil endlessly in obscurity to help whoever they can. I've seen both types of pastors firsthand, and can tell you that there's nothing worse than a "pastor" who uses his title as a means to deceive people. There's also nothing better than a genuine pastor who is there when people need him.
December 18, 2008
1:51 p.m.
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Acemon writes:
UrsusArctos,
Why is it when a sports team wins, they kneel down and thank the Lord for their victory, yet the losing team never blames God or Satan for their loss?
I had a cerebral aneurism years back. Many people said my recovery was due to the Lord. I said my recovery was thanks to dedicated people who worked dilligently to overcome superstition and ignorance, putting the reality of science ahead of fears of the supernatural. Prayer alone would have led to my death.
I am eternally greatful to the fine, upstanding health care professionals who gave me back my life.
December 18, 2008
2:05 p.m.
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LOUIE writes:
URSUSARCTOS, it not that we feel we are above God, quite the contrary, people just get tired of these men of God using and defiling God for their own gain. You assume much not knowing the people here, how do you know who has come close to death, or had a love one languish close to death?
December 18, 2008
2:08 p.m.
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woleelbbb writes:
I am personally glad to see he is about to get what is deserved. The worst of this that he abused his position to gain the trust and used the trust to damage the credit and steal from of one of his own members. My prayers go out to all who were hurt, named and un-named.
December 18, 2008
2:14 p.m.
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pinewood writes:
Everyone is bashing him because he is Christian, I guess bashing him because he's black isn't in style these days. Yet bashing someone on either factor is equally as bigoted and repugnant.
December 18, 2008
2:26 p.m.
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dannylee5280 writes:
Makes me want to hold back a few $$$$ at church sunday!!!
December 18, 2008
2:43 p.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
DenverGirl78 writes: "If you're really self-important and delusional enough to believe that your calling is to deliver the commands of an invisible god to the people of earth..."
Question: Who ever told you their calling was to "deliver the commands of an invisible god to the people of earth"?
Answer: No one. That's what YOU believe.
Don't confuse the atheists version of following Christ to what millions of honorable, law-abiding, neighborly Christians across this country live every day.
Hicks is a criminal and will be dealt with as such (undoubtedly by other Christians either in the judge's chair or in the jury). The fact that he's a pastor (who should be fired in shame immediately) only makes the news because it shows him to be a sinner... like everyone else.
Matthew 9:12
"They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."
December 18, 2008
3:47 p.m.
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MinistertoU writes:
It was very interesting reading all the comments everyone had to say about this minister and about others in the ministry. Thank you to those that said not every minister/pastor/reverend has the same conduct.
There is no perfect person, no not one. This pastor made a wrong decision, but it wasn't out of greed. The Word of God says to forgive, and God determines the ultimate punishment on judgement day (read the Bible).
Pastor Hicks was called to preach the Word...it was a calling by God not the people. So there is no "fired in shame" approach to that. He is human just like you and me. As long as he preaches God's Word, but he does on his off time is his business, not your's not mine.
Don't judge!
December 18, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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Willy writes:
Louie - "Pleased to meet you ...." I know that one. You must be almost as old as me.
December 18, 2008
9:15 p.m.
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Woodrow writes:
Cowboy is a tool
December 19, 2008
7:21 a.m.
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woleelbbb writes:
MinistertoU ,
Pastor Hicks was called to preach, not to take advantage of, fraud,lie and steal from people. I have no other choice but to forgive but he still needs to pay for what he has done. This woman has be ruined. Thank God not her spirit, but financially ruined behind his actions. What he does on his own time is his own buisness but he is a representaion of who he speaks about and who is SUPPOSE to represent, and HE IS NOT A GOOD REPRESENATION OF THE GOD I SERVE.
There is not judgement when the truth has been shown....
December 19, 2008
8:48 a.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
Actually, it's quite refreshing to read a story about a pastor ONLY stealing money (they've been doing that for thousands of years!) At least he didn't sexually assault anyone.
December 20, 2008
8:33 p.m.
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js1 writes:
All: Rip off artists will rape and pillage among any community receptive to such. Receptive communities are weakened communiities. Folks: We need to fight back. We need take control of our communities. The time to take back your and our communtity is now!
December 21, 2008
6:23 p.m.
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Tunlrat writes:
It's amazing that he's one of the small handful of "ministers of faith" that condemended several local governments over the past few years for not being sypathetic to their congregations. I'm guessing that he'll get probatioin and have to make restitution, just like all of the other "fleecers". The only thing is, none of them have J-O-B-S where they work. They'll get sypathetic parishoners to pay their bills, yet again. And yes, I do believe in god. I just don't believe in people who use god to make a living that's twice as good as any of his parishoners.
January 8, 2009
2:26 p.m.
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kimbeesue63 writes:
Well I have to say Amen to Tunlrat!! My sentiments exactly!! We have the fortunate pleasure to have this man's son as a pastor at our church and his motivation is money also..All his bills are paid and he brings home money on top of that. He has managed to foreclose on several properties that he had bought has investments....makes you wonder what he was doing considering that he was the treasurer of his father's company that didn't pay any of their debts back to parishoners. Everytime I turn around he seems to want more and more money. He lies about things. I've stopped going to church because of him. I won't listen to someone who won't abide by God's commandments and has no compassion for others if money isn't involved. I still love God but I choose to worship him from home. I know that God will work out the situations but sometimes it's hard to wait. I hope they both get what they deserve and that our "pastor" doesn't run our church into the ground. There are alot of good people there that don't deserve what they are getting.