MIAMI, Fla. – A man who claims to be the second coming of Jesus Christ is under federal investigation for where this “messiah” is spending his church’s money.
Unidentified followers of ‘Growing in Grace’, a Florida-based controversial religious sect leadered by Puerto Rican Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, also known as ‘The Antichrist’, show their tattoed forearms in Managua, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. According to followers of the sect, Nicaragua’s migration authorities refuse to let Miranda into the country for a meeting he has scheduled for next Saturday with Nicaraguan followers. Photo: AP |
Puerto Rican Dr. Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda preaches a unique brand of religion. He leads his Miami-based Creciendo en Gracia (Growing in Grace) Movement and has expanded his religious persona from “Jesus Christ, the man” to include the title “antichrist.” His apostles have even reportedly taken to tattooing “666” on their hands, according to cbs4.com.
By his own acknowledgment, Miranda was a heroin addict, wears a Rolex, keeps company with beautiful women despite being married, and drives expensive cars.
Still, his followers pour cash into his ministry.
Our news partners at the Miami Herald have uncovered that federal investigators are now checking into where he is spending that church money.
One of the followers, Evelyn Julia, gives 10-percent of her yearly salary and half of her business earnings: “We are so grateful that he has liberated us… we don’t mind giving everything to him.”
Miami Herald Reporter Jack Dolan has uncovered court documents showing Miranda admits taking care of himself with more than a million dollars in church money, including paying his first wife’s $144 thousand-a-year alimony and buying several personal properties. Because the church is a registered non-profit and gets tax breaks for it, Miranda can’t legally do that.
Miranda’s followers stand by him. They call him “father” and “dad” and say they don’t mind if he uses the money on his ex-wives. Miranda could not be reached for comment.
Though he has not been charged with any crime, the Miami Herald reports the US Attorney’s office and the IRS are now investigating where exactly the church money is going.
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