Oregon Pastor Found Guilty on 32 Fraud Counts Sentenced to Eight Years

By Aaron Poehler

Published on January 18, 2008

Pritchett, 44, also known as "Pastor Corey," represented himself as a legitimate real estate investor but sold and rented homes he did not own or manage, often using his role as a pastor to gain the trust of low-income families and convince them to invest in his schemes. Prosecutors said Pritchett bilked nine victims out of over $43,000 from 2004 to 2006, but added that the list of his victims stretches far beyond those nine and that Pritchett has 44 civil judgments against him with debts amounting to several hundred thousand dollars.

The various charges of which Pritchett was convicted included securities fraud, sales of securities by an unregistered person, selling an unregistered security, aggravated theft, and theft in both the first and second degree.

Former employees of charities run by Pritchett have said that virtually none of the money collected actually went to legitimate charity activities.

Early in the case Pritchett dismissed his lawyer and chose to represent himself, maintaining his innocence. The judge retained Pritchett's former lawyer to act as a legal advisor for Pritchett in the case.

Pritchett is scheduled to appear in Clackamas County Circuit Court later this month to face 25 more charges of fraud.

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