Local pastor faces another serious allegation

Local pastor faces another serious allegation

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By Derek Sciba and KATU Web Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. - Another family has come forward about a local pastor, saying they are now in financial turmoil after going to him for real estate help.

In a KATU special investigation aired on Sunday, we shed light on Corey Pritchett, a pastor who runs a ministry called "Changing Lives" out of a southeast Portland office.  He also operates a Christian Web site called "Northwest Deliverance."

A brochure for Pritchett's ministry states that it focuses on drug and alcohol rehabilitation, feeding the hungry and housing the needy.  The Web site tells of an upcoming mission to help Louisiana hurricane victims.  However, former employees say the charity did next to nothing and Pritchett still owes them money.

In a new development, a family told KATU news they are talking with the Oregon Attorney General's office about the pastor.  The father in the family claims Pritchett's actions sent him $20,000 in debt.

Byron does not want his last name used or his face shown on television.  He was separated from his wife last year, was out of work and needed to sell his home fast.

"He presented me this paper which was a sales agreement," Byron said of his dealings with Corey Pritchett, who he called after seeing an ad in the phone book. Bryon said he quickly signed a sales agreement and moved out, but for months was getting big bills that he could not pay. "I was still getting charged for the mortgage," he said.

KATU News met up with Pritchett last month during our investigation.  Former employees of his charity and real estate business said he had not paid them and investors said they had been cheated out of thousands of dollars.  Pritchett faces dozens of lawsuits.

He told KATU News Monday night "believe it or not, I am going to work toward mediation and get people paid back and taken care of."

Byron said after the ordeal that Pritchett put him through over his home, his credit is terrible. "I can't even establish a bank account without getting special restrictions put on the account," he said.

Byron believes his signature was forged on at least one document.  When KATU News asked Pritchett about his dealings with Byron, he said "we didn't see eye to eye on some things."

"I think he really believes that whatever he's doing is right," Byron said.  "I think he's fooled himself."

Pritchett told KATU News his intent is to do good and in regards to the charity employees he has not paid, he said it was his understanding that they were volunteers.  He added that if they would have brought in donations, he would have paid them a commission.

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