IRS Drops the Hammer on Hammond

Published Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 in World Events

Mac Hammond is the latest Christian leader to come under financial scrutiny by the U.S. government.

Months after Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, launched a financial accountability probe into the mega media ministries of Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer and Creflo Dollar, Hammond finds himself under the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) microscope.

According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, the IRS is conducting an investigation to determine whether compensation and loan deals between Living Word Christian Center of Brooklyn Park and its pastor, Hammond, violate laws for tax-exempt organizations.

Specifically, the IRS wants insight into Hammond’s earnings, benefits and perks, including a church-financed airplane that’s leased back to the Living Word. The IRS is also digging for details on church loans that funded Hammond’s residence. Living Word later forgave those loans.

Living Word Christian Center failed to respond to a March summons. The IRS is seeking intervention from the court to force compliance with its demand for detailed financial data.

Neither Mac Hammond nor his staff was immediately available for comment. Check back later for more updates.