‘Financial freedom’ preacher hit with several counts of tax fraud

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

William Todd Coontz, the former Charlotte preacher who wrote the financial freedom book “Please Don’t Repo My Car,” was indicted for tax fraud on Thursday.

Federal prosecutors claimed that he was able to live in luxury because he claimed his $1.5 million condo as well as his three BMWs, two Ferraris, a Maserati and a Land Rover as business expenses.

“This is a classic example of ‘Do as I say, not as I do,’ ” U.S. Attorney Jill Rose said in announcing the charges. “As a minister, Coontz preached about receiving and managing wealth, yet he failed to keep his own finances in order. Coontz will now receive a first-hand lesson in ‘rendering unto Caesar’ that which is due.”

— Lydia Meredith opens up about her preacher husband coming out as gay — 

The 50-year-old former preacher was hit with three counts of failure to pay taxes and four counts of aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns.

His lawyer, Mark Foster of Charlotte, said in a statement that he “unequivocally asserts his innocence … and will vigorously defend himself against these charges,” adding that “Todd Coontz has always endeavored to follow the law and to be a good citizen, father, and minister. He trusted others to manage his finances and taxes for him and was shocked to find out he was under criminal investigation by the IRS.”

“We expect that after hearing all the evidence, a jury will fully vindicate Mr. Coontz by finding him not guilty of all charges,” Foster added.

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