Should any legal action be taken by the church against someone who sold a home after it was donated to them?

Question

Couple Sells Home Church Donated After Katrina

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Nov. 22) - A church that wanted to do something special for Hurricane Katrina victims gave a $75,000 house, free and clear, to a couple who said they were left homeless by the storm. But the couple turned around and sold the place without ever moving in, and went back to New Orleans.

"Take it up with God," an unrepentant Joshua Thompson told a TV reporter after it was learned that he and the woman he identified as his wife had flipped the home for $88,000.

Church members said they feel their generosity was abused by scam artists. They are no longer even sure that the couple were left homeless by Katrina or that they were a couple at all.

"Do I have any legal problems? What do you mean? The house was given to me," she said. "I have the paperwork and everything."

She refused further comment and hung up.

Should criminal/civil action be taken against the couple or should the couple be allowed to leave Memphis?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if man can do anything by I think God will in the afterlife.

Answer 2

Gee, I've never heard of anything like this before...but here are my personal thoughts..First, I 'm not a lawyer nor real estate agent...
If the couple were truly homeless victims from Louisiana and the home was given to them with no liens or judgments and all the legalities followed then they are the proper owners then they have the legal right to sell the home and keep the profits providing there was not binding contract with the church to repay the church for the home in the event they return to Louisiana or have the deed revert back to the church.It may be legal but is it moral?
However if the couple used deception to obtain the home then it might be possible to charge them with fraud to obtain property.or some type of theft.

Basically depends on the laws of the state and if it can be proven the couple was actually homeless Katrina victim.

Answer 3

Having read the story already, it sounded to me like it was a gift given without strings attached.
Now, the "scam artists" have money to go where, and do with, what they want, and someone ELSE is living in the house who probably needs/wants it.
Memphis and New Orleans are very different places and the "artists" probably are happier where they were in the first place. Might even fit in better than in Memphis!
Should the church take legal action? "What believer would take his dispute to the courts of man?"

Answer 4

You can't make people live up to your expectations. You did a great thing and the church should be proud. Let God be God and deal with the hearts of the people who sold the home. Jesus fed the people loaves and fishes once. He didn't feed them to make them stay for his preaching. He fed them because they were in need. You all did the same. The people that heard His sermon were the same people who crucified Him. He did what He did because of His love and compassion for people. Some heeded the message, some didn't. You all built that house to honor what God had put in your heart. I think you should honor him now and just let Him deal with the problem. We never know how he works, we just do what He tells us. Maybe He has a bigger, better, plan. I know He will bless you for the willingness you showed to serve Him.

Answer 5

What is the crime (other than being greedy)?

If the ownership transfer was complete without a "must reside XX years" clause there is not much they can do.

Many former New Orleans residents (and pretend New Orleans residents) have taken advantage of the situation.

I personally delivered a truck load of goods to a Katrina temporary site. The lazy bums would not even help me unload the goods that I was giving them!

Answer 6

I don't see how the pain from your ankle impacted your knowledge of your subject. You should have been studying all along you know. Big deal, your ankle hurt...suck it up and move on. If you could not attend the review, why not ask a classmate to take notes or even study on your own. But those options would require you to be responsible for yourself and you clearly find it easier to blame others. Why stop at sueing the church...sue God for not making you a brain surgeon. <---sarcasm

Answer 7

The Church is probably a tax exempt entity and did not loose money by giving to scoundrels.
The people although unethical did nothing illegal but morale wrong. Therefore the church should pursue them in a Civil Action if they are Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or Hindu, so the scoundrels can receive pentanance before GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL!

Answer 8

You can rest assured knowing the IRS will be knocking on their door seeking the payment of gift tax and capital gains tax on the profits from the sale, plus penalties and interest, thus wiping away most of their profit.

Who would have ever thought the IRS would be doing God's work?

Answer 9

I don't see how anything in this is illegal, but it's definately sleezy.

If the church ever does this in the future, they should include a clause in the contract that the house can't be resold for X amount of months/years.

Answer 10

"Dont look g gift house on the mouth"
Oh, well. Church people give so much to these dumb televangelists anyhow. No one can take legal action.