Georgia Secretary of StateBrad Raffensperger will have to decide whether to subpoena Raphael Warnock’s church after it fails to respond to a legal inquiry about its charitable status.
The Secretary of State, Securities and Charities Division has demanded explanation from the Ebenezer Building Foundation — a foundation operated by Warnock’s Ebenezer Baptist Church — of its charitable status within the state.
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“The records of the Division indicate that Ebenezer Building Fund, Inc. was registered.” […]The State of Georgia has not recognized it as a charitable organization,” said the Securities and Charities Division in an October 12 letter.
Warnock, who is also the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, is also a principal officer at the Ebenezer Building Fund.
Sen. Raphael Warnock (R) speaks to his supporters at a canvass launch held in Savannah, Georgia, on November 6, 2022.
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The Oct. 12 letter stated that Ebenezer Building Foundation solicits charitable donations and operates as a charity organization in the State of Georgia, without having an active registration or exemption. This is in violation of O.C.G.A. § 43-17-5, and therefore, is subject to administrative penalties under O.C.G.A. § 43-17-13.”
By the Nov. 2 deadline, neither Ebenezer Baptist Church or Ebenezer Building Foundation had responded in writing.
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Herschel Walker, Republican U.S. Senate nominee, speaks at an election-night watch party on Tuesday Nov. 8, 2022 in Atlanta. Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock speaks at an election night party in Atlanta on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. | Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks during an election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson | AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Officials will now have to decide whether to apply more pressure to the foundation through subpoena, if the state’s inquiries fail to be answered, a spokesperson for the state charities department said Thursday. Washington Free Beacon.
A dozen eviction lawsuitsResidents were evicted between September 2022 and February 2020. One report contained an eviction notice for residents who owed as little as $25.88 rent in the past.
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Rev. Rev. Raphael G. Warnock will deliver the eulogy at Rayshard Brooks’ funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 23, 2020.
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Ebenezer Baptist Church, which provides Warnock with a $7,417 monthly housing allowance, is 99% owner at Columbia Tower at MLK Village. According to documents obtained by The Free Beacon residents have received notices of eviction for owing as little $25.88 in past due rent.
Columbia Tower has eight tenants. Columbia Residential runs the building. Columbia Residential is described as a refuge for the “chronically homeless” and those with “mental disabilities.” issued eviction noticesSince early 2020, the average rent payment has been $125
Jon Brown from Fox News contributed to this article.
