Ex-pastor and wife allegedly gamble away $430,000 of church's money

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A former Houston pastor and wife were jailed for allegedly swindling their congregation out of approximately $430,000 for gambling trips to Louisiana. Charles Gilford, 58, and Adriane Gilford, 53, were indicted by a Harris County grand jury and charged with aggregate theft and “misapplication of fiduciary property.” Prosecutors allege the Gilfords, who were once pastor and first lady of Bethel Institutional Missionary Baptist Church (BIMBC), allegedly spent the money at the Coushatta Casino between 2004 and 2007, before leaving the congregation five years ago. KPRC-TV reports:

Two pastors accused of stealing more than $430,000 from a Houston church where they worked have been released from jail.

Records show 58-year-old Charles Gilford and his 53-year-old wife, Adriane, were freed after bond was lowered from $800,000 to $15,000 apiece.

The Gilfords were indicted last week on charges of theft over $200,000 and misapplication of fiduciary property. Both appeared in court Monday.

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