Robert Tilton

Robert Tilton regained a substantial television presence on BET several years after investigations had caused his audience to collapse. The Washington Post described a wider strategy by prosperity-gospel televangelists seeking to rebuild their audiences on a channel aimed predominantly at African Americans, prompting criticism of targeting viewers considered vulnerable or receptive to the message.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated

Vivian and Michael Elliott sued Tilton and organisations linked to his ministry for fraud, emotional distress, conspiracy and breach of contract concerning the use of a testimonial. A jury found for the plaintiffs and awarded approximately 1.5 million dollars.

Attribution

Accused

Following PrimeTime Live broadcasts, Word of Faith sued ABC, Diane Sawyer, Trinity Foundation and others, alleging a RICO scheme and conspiracy to destroy the church, among other claims. The court dismissed the claims and the appellate court upheld the dismissal.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In 1991, ABC broadcast a highly critical investigation into Robert Tilton's fundraising methods, particularly the handling of prayer requests and statements about an orphanage. Later court decisions documented that thousands of prayer forms from certain mailings had indeed been found in rubbish, while also showing that several aspects of the report were disputed or more nuanced.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following the ABC broadcast, the Texas Attorney General demanded extensive documents under consumer protection law and initiated proceedings that could have led to dissolution of the church's corporate structure. A federal court initially blocked the investigation, but the appellate court reversed and remanded the decision, requiring federal abstention so that questions of Texas law could first be resolved.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Beverly Crowley sued Tilton and his church after continuing to receive fundraising letters addressed to her deceased husband, including claims that God had spoken to Tilton about him and would heal him. She alleged that the letters caused her emotional distress.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Accused