Religion · Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Metro · August 25, 2026
Minneapolis Pastors Sued by MN AG Over $2M in Alleged Church Fund Misuse
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a fraud lawsuit against Bishop Larry Cook and Dr. Sharon Cook, co-pastors of Real Believers Faith Center in Minneapolis, according to EURweb. The suit alleges the couple diverted more than $2 million in charitable assets from the church and its affiliated Les Jolies School of Dance between 2018 and 2024, spending funds on luxury overseas travel, Celebrity Cruises, NBA tickets, designer merchandise, and personal HOA fees and parking fines. Investigators cited more than $278,000 in cash withdrawals and transfers to family members, and said many transactions had 'no identified nonprofit purpose.' The AG's office has secured a temporary restraining order to prevent remaining nonprofit assets from being hidden or moved during litigation. The Cooks strongly deny wrongdoing; Larry Cook called the lawsuit 'a 1,000% fabrication of the facts' and accused the state of political targeting, insisting the travel was ministry-related and that documentation will clear them in court. No verdict has been reached; these remain allegations in a civil complaint.
Source: EURweb
Why Bible-Believing Christians Should Care
Bible-believing Christians should take financial integrity in ministry seriously, because scandals like this — whether the allegations prove true or false — damage public trust in the church's witness far beyond one congregation. Scripture is unambiguous that pastors are to shepherd God's flock 'not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.' When charitable funds entrusted by congregants and taxpayers are allegedly diverted to personal luxury, it gives critics ammunition to dismiss all Christian institutions as self-serving. Congregations should insist on transparent, audited finances and clear separation between ministry and personal accounts regardless of how this case resolves.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind — 1 Peter 5:2
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From the book
Rule 8 depends on the ability of activists to bring endless motions and resolutions to disrupt governance. The answer is hardening the structure. Governance documents should prevent small minorities from hijacking the agenda. That means super-majority requirements for changing doctrinal standards and property clauses that protect a local congregation's assets from a predatory hierarchy.
— Chapter 17, “Defensive Strategy”
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