Franklin Fountain, apostle/bishop/pastor of Resurrection Ministries International in Bridgeport, Connecticut stands accused of fraudulently selling his church’s building. The new owner? Fountain, who bought the building for one dollar.
The pastor of the Fountain of Youth Cathedral won the hearts of his congregation — then stole their church, police said.
Bishop Franklin L. Fountain may eventually have to answer to a higher authority but in the meantime he will face a Superior Court judge.
Fountain is charged with first-degree larceny and second-degree forgery after police said he forged deed documents and sold the Madison Avenue church to himself for $1.
City property records show Fountain is now the owner of the church and property valued at $1.5 million.
“Isn’t this all ridiculous,” Fountain, 55, said Wednesday after being released on a promise to appear in court. “I am the pastor and I deserve respect and I expect that this will all be worked out.”
He could face more than 20 years in prison if convicted of the charges. His lawyer, Erroll Skyers, said he is anxiously waiting to see the police report before commenting.
Police Detective Francis Podpolucha said they had received a complaint from the church’s Board of Directors, Fountain’s younger brother James Fountain and his uncle Donald Fountain that without authorization from the board, Bishop Fountain had altered the deed documents and sold the church at 324 Madison Ave. to himself.
Franklin L. Fountain took over as pastor of the church, which was founded in 1960, from his father, Franklin D. Fountain who died in 2005.
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Franklin Fountain: sounds like the name of a porn star.
We humanist do not have the fun titles. Although I don’t think anyone in my group would be impressed with “2nd Vice Bishop”.
My inner 12-year old still snickers about Vice-(insert title) because I’m so old I remember when gambling/prostitution/ crimes were handled by the “vice squad”. It seems Mr. Fountain’s vice is fraud.
http://www.fountainofyouthcathedral.org/Our-Pastor.html This Franklin Fountain is still the pastor of the Fountain of youth Cathedral. When you read of his description of himself and his family, if pride was a chargeable offense in a criminal court, there would be enough evidence to convict him. I was not able to find out how the criminal charges of grand larceny and forgery were resolved. Also, when you click on the Home section of the website, they have some pretty catchy singing going on.