Category Archives: C3 Asheville Scandal

C3 Asheville Scandal – Dear Barn… (Part 9)

14 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by in C3 Asheville Scandal

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Due to the nature of emerging scandals and the CHC court case, it has been hard to keep up to date with information from the C3 Asheville scandal. We hope to keep alerting readers to the fascinating insights to this disturbing C3 scandal, analysing its history and future direction.

Last year we had Barn Sweetman (son of C3 Church Americas Overseer Dean Sweetman) comment on our blog. He naturally defended his dad Dean Sweetman over the way he handled the C3 Asheville scandal. What we were not expecting was a C3 leader informing Barn what actually happened inside the C3 Asheville mess. The C3 leader’s response is worth reading again. Before reading their response, we thought it was important looking at what Barn Sweetman wrote first.

Barn Sweetman wrote to the “lynch mob” C3 Church Watch:

Hi everyone,

My name is Barn Sweetman. Dean and Jill Sweetman are my parents. There’s probably 3,000 things I could say to argue against some of the ridiculous things that have been said on this blog, but it honestly makes me feel nauseous just thinking about it. Seriously, I challenge you to think about this for a second. Imagine your parents, hopefully some of the greatest heroes that were in your life, being verbally abused like this. Picture it in your mind for a few seconds.

Now imagine being 8 years old, living with your family that had next to nothing and then being sent to move from Sydney, all the way to Atlanta to plant a church. Now imagine over the next 18 years watching your parents, move heaven and earth, to try and build healthy, amazing, and powerful churches that actually change lives. Let me reiterate that… that actually CHANGE lives.

Then all of a sudden, they start getting verbally attacked by a lynch mob who literally have nothing better to do than to destroy everything that your parents put blood, sweat, and tears into.

It’s just shocking. The lack of compassion and grace that gets tossed around this blog is just sickening. You’ve literally created a breeding ground of doubt, fear, and hatred with the soul purpose of tearing down the church. You are literally contributing to the destruction of the image of Christianity. Congratulations.

And the best part about it? From what I’ve seen, most of you are Christians. Most of you flippin’ believe in the power of the cross and that it actually changes lives. Yet you choose to criticize the ones that actually carry the burden and spread the gospel. If you actually understood the amount of pressure and faith it takes to build just 1 church, I guarantee you, you would be disgusted with yourself right now. Disgusted.

I’ll finish my rant on this note. I’m sure you all had some reason to point fingers at your church or C3 for something that hurt you. Grow up, forgive the people that have wronged you and move on. The church will ALWAYS be built by imperfect people and if you can’t accept that, go read John 8:7. The goal is to spread the Gospel… not destroy it.

Think about it.

Source: Barn Sweetman, C3 Asheville Scandal – The Wolf & The Ostrich (Part 8), C3 Church Watch, https://c3churchwatch.com/2013/11/29/c3-asheville-scandal-the-wolf-the-ostrich-part-8/#comment-11718, February 16, 2014 at 4:22 am.

Dave wrote,

Hello Barn Sweetman,

First off let me commend you for honoring your parents. I also want to say although I’m sure I don’t completely understand how it must feel, I’m sure it hurts to see what you feel as your parents being attacked occurring on this blog.

That being said I want to present a bit of the other side to you. I think a lot of people are venting at your Dad Dean because they are in fact hurt. Hurt by Nick Dimitris and hurt by his handling of this situation. He is in fact in a position where he is supposed to provide help and “oversight” in situations like these. I’m going to present to you a few facts about his handling of the Asheville church and you can decide for yourself if you can see why some people might be hurt at his handling of this situation.

But before I do let me tell you how I know this and why I am qualified to speak to the situation: I went to C3 Asheville, I was a leader in fact I even lead certain aspects of the church. I have been apart of a few church plants now so I do understand how hard planting a church can be. I’ve also been involved in the “Spirit Filled” church most of my life and I was apart of the C3 movement for many years. I had high hopes as did many others for a good local church in Asheville, I served and gave to try to help in seeing a community of believers established in Asheville. I like many others eventually wised up to Nick Dimitris and went to your Dad and practically begged for help and I was turned away and told if I couldn’t support leadership I needed to leave. So that is what I did….

Now for a few facts on your Dad’s handling of the situation in Asheville:

1. From the time that the scandal of Nick Dimitris’s court case broke in the news Dean never set his feet on the ground in Asheville. NOT ONCE. He sent others(more on this shortly) but never came once to observe things for himself, to ask questions, to seek out the truth, heck possibly even to make sure all the members were okay and being cared for, maybe even pray with some folks…. I would certainly think that a matter this big would require quite a bit more attention and emphasis than he gave it. We are talking about people’s lives afterall and if what turned out to be true(according to United States Justice system)was true then the implications would be devastating to a church.

2. He did however send Steve Hickson who recommended Nick be immediately placed on Hiatus from a leadership role in the church.-This was ignored as were all of Steve’s requests on how the matter be handled.

He later sent Phil Beuchler who said and I paraphrase-”Nick is not fit by the definition the Bible provides us to be a leader”-This was also ignored as well.

3. Dean was approached by several members of staff and pastors at C3 Asheville asking for Nick to be sat and for help in this situation- They were ignored and I can’t remember the exact tally but at least 7 staff left because of this. A worship leader, a young adults pastor and a youth pastor all were gone within months. There are NO original staff left.

4. Dean also saw 2 sets of boards/elders resign because after their pleading for Nick to be sat his response was to stick with Nick.

5. The church went from over 200 people to less than 40 without 1 visit from Dean.

6. He allowed a man who had plead guilty in a bank fraud investigation serve and lead a church for over 2 years as the paper wrote article after article. How was the church supposed to grow when people think the pastor is a crook?

7. He never removed Nick(a convicted felon-that’s what you are when you plead guilty) until after he was sentenced to a year in jail. Even then I think he just said okay you’re not a part of C3 anymore but left the church still running..still no visit…Where is the care for the people involved in his actions???

8. He has never to my knowledge called and asked for forgiveness to any of the people who were involved in and hurt by C3 Asheville.

Barn, when I look at your Dad’s actions in this situation I can’t see any care for the people involved. I can’t see any humility(not listening to staff and pastors some he had known for years, not listening to seasoned elders in the body, not listening to peers-Steve Hickson, Phil Beauchler, not listening to boards he helped appoint, not listening to members and founding members). I can’t see that he cared at all about this situation truthfully and that’s what hurts. These people involved are sons and fathers and mothers and daughters themselves after all and they are a part of the body of Christ. You think it’s hard to plant a church….Try giving your all into a church plant and watching it fall to pieces and the body scattered because “oversight” is sticking Nick, not just once but time and time again, fallout after fallout. That’s what about 200 people just experienced and there is a lot of pain. Some have left the faith. Do you realize that? SOME PEOPLE HAVE LEFT THE FAITH because of this situation. Still many others are completely disillusioned and don’t know what to do. This situation has been DEVASTATING. I spoke with your Dad on the phone and I expressed these concerns and I couldn’t hear that he cared at all and that hurt. I don’t say these things to hurt you or your Dad but you need to know the other side to the story and he needs to be reminded of this until he turns to God in repentance.

Source: David, C3 Asheville Scandal – The Wolf & The Ostrich (Part 8), C3 Church Watch, https://c3churchwatch.com/2013/11/29/c3-asheville-scandal-the-wolf-the-ostrich-part-8/#comment-11819, Submitted on 2014/02/19 at 5:44 am.

What was Barn Sweetman’s response?

I’m sympathetic to you @David and what you experienced. I honestly think Dad could have handled this way better. But supporting a blog that purely desires to knock out a church movement isn’t the answer. You basically took your experience and assumed that every C3 Church is handled this way by doing that. You have to understand that Nick Dimitris deceived everyone… including Dad. Bringing out your pitchfork and going after blood isn’t the answer. If the church had been healthy enough to get through it and be supportive, despite who’s in leadership for the remaining time, there would be a healthy church standing today.

David don’t think that I don’t have a clue on what’s going on. I actually went up 3 times and helped with worship during the whole situation because they were running out of worship leaders. Each time I went up and watched has the congregation dwindled. It’s a very sad situation. But imagine the strength that could have come out of that church after the trial was over (guilty or not guilty) b/c people stood by in unity.

Responding to Berean’s comment “@ David – I hope Barn is able to absorb what you had to say, and come to a place of maturity accepting that sometimes fathers are not perfect and unfortunately not qualified to pastor.If anyone should step down, or stood down, at this time it should be Dean Sweetman. He has demonstrated by his behaviour that he is not qualified biblically.” https://c3churchwatch.com/2013/11/29/c3-asheville-scandal-the-wolf-the-ostrich-part-8/#comment-11824

Barn continues:

Really @Berean? I’m not naive. I know that the whole situation could have been handled differently. But you’re saying that he should step down because you think he didn’t handle a crisis in 1 church out of the 30ish he looks after? Really??? Your lust for vengeance and justice far out ways your thirst for grace. You’ve thrown the first stone without even looking at yourself. Have a little grace. Dad is by far not perfect, but if we build churches based on your standards, there wouldn’t be many standing. Once again, building churches is really hard b/c you’re dealing with people that are imperfect and have problems. Even the pastors. See some flippin’ reason before making ridiculous claims like that.

Source: Barn Sweetman, C3 Asheville Scandal – The Wolf & The Ostrich (Part 8), C3 Church Watch, https://c3churchwatch.com/2013/11/29/c3-asheville-scandal-the-wolf-the-ostrich-part-8/#comment-11843, February 19, 2014 at 2:45 pm.

In other words it is important for Dean Sweetman and C3 to keep convicted Nick Dimitris as a C3 Pastor “(guilty or not guilty)” because it is more important Christians need to stand in unity. Is this appropriate pastoral oversight by the “C3 Church Americas Overseer” Dean Sweetman?

J. Lee Grady Speaks Out About The David Yonggi Cho Scandal

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in C3 & Pringles Associations, C3 Asheville Scandal

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Well City Harvest Church has made it clear they are standing with the convicted David Yonggi Cho of Yoidi Full Gospel Church. While Reformed, Charismatic or Pentecostal leaders continue to voice their concerns over Yonggi Cho, what will Phil Pringle do? His silence is deafening.

C3 does not  need to repeat the mistake they made with the notorious Nick Dimitris of C3 Church Asheville. Will C3 stand united behind another convicted felon for the sake of ‘unity’?

In fact, this article by Grady sounds as though it could have been written to Phil Pringle directly. (We wish to advise caution when reading this piece. We do not agree with Grady’s view. A false teacher like David Yonggi Cho is called by scripture an “impostor going from bad to worse”. He is not a Christian brother and should be excommunicated for his pagan gospel.)

Lee Grady weighed in to the issue with this piece:

6 Ways to Prevent an Embarrassing Ministry Scandal

The recent sentencing of Dr. Yonggi Cho of South Korea is a reminder that we need a fresh commitment to integrity.

I was devastated to learn last week that South Korean megachurch pastor David Yonggi Cho was found guilty of embezzling $12 million in church funds. I was aware that the famous hero of faith was struggling with problems at his massive congregation, Yoido Full Gospel Church, which is in Seoul. Cho’s 56-year effort to build what is now the world’s largest church made him one of the most respected spiritual fathers in the Pentecostal movement.

Some American leaders knew that Cho’s problems were linked to his son Cho Hee-jun, who was also convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for his role in an elaborate stock scheme that involved millions of dollars of church money. Hee-jun was immediately jailed. Thankfully, the elder Cho will not have to serve his prison sentence (it was suspended), but he will have to pay a $4.7 million fine.

I still respect Dr. Cho. A former Buddhist, he had a dramatic conversion to Jesus and was used by the Holy Spirit to bring the gospel to a nation that for centuries was closed to Christianity. Cho remains a legend. But the events of last week serve to remind us that even the greatest spiritual giants have feet of clay, and even the biggest ministries can fall into scandal if principles of integrity are not practiced.

This seems the best time to offer the simple reminders below. Today a new generation of megachurch pastors and ministry leaders has emerged, and this generation may not be aware that a few wrong moves could put them in the middle of the next big ministry scandal. If you are a leader, please post these rules in your board room, in your CEO’s office and in your ministry’s employee manual. If you are not in leadership, please pray that these rules are followed at your church, no matter how big it is:

1. Never build a cult of personality. The top reason ministries fail is that the organization starts revolving around a person instead of Christ. I don’t care how gifted or anointed the leader is—if he (or she) allows others to put him on a pedestal or if he climbs there himself, a fall is coming. Paul told the Corinthians, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11, NASB). Paul didn’t build his ministry on himself. In addition, he shared the spotlight with his successor, Timothy, and his other team members. If a leader can’t share power, he is headed toward disaster.

2. Develop a culture of openness. Healthy ministries encourage staff members and church members to give input. I’ve found that in ministries that experienced scandal, employees constantly felt intimidated, controlled or even threatened. Did you know that the word occult comes from a Latin word that means “secret” or “covered up”? Ministries that engage in cover-up or secrecy are not managing their work in a Christian manner.

3. Insist on financial transparency. Churches and ministries are funded by donors, and donors have a God-given right to know that their funds are being used properly. Ministry leaders also have a God-given stewardship, and they must acknowledge that the funds given to them are not for personal gain. All financial transactions of a ministry should be scrutinized by designated leaders (including an outside accountant) to prevent corruption.

4. Don’t build a family dynasty. There is nothing in the Bible that says a Christian leader is supposed to turn his ministry over to his family. And nepotism is often the cause of financial scandal. If a leader stacks his board or church staff with family members, they will be tempted to make financial decisions that benefit themselves. And in many cases, parents who employ their children find it difficult to bring correction when there are serious offenses.

5. Beware of creating a greed monster. In today’s megachurches, huge amounts of money begin to roll in on Sundays—and if leaders are not careful, this kind of success can eventually destroy them. We must remember that God entrusts us with these funds in order to engage in the work of ministry, not to provide leaders with mansions, luxury vehicles, bodyguards, private jets, shopping allowances and second or third homes. When you feed greed, it will always come back to bite you. I personally believe that pastors and ministry leaders should voluntarily put a cap on their salaries instead of insisting on being treated like corporate bigshots.

6. Never tolerate a spirit of entitlement. Financial blessing can affect people in dramatically different ways. One person can humbly receive it, thank God for it and live in constant gratefulness and humility. The next person can accept the blessing and then begin to think they deserve royal treatment. This spirit of entitlement can invade a church or ministry subtly at first, until leaders begin to make demands. I once knew a preacher who asked to be driven from her hotel to the conference in a limousine—yet the distance was less than one block! This insane behavior should be confronted, not coddled.

Paul told his spiritual son Timothy that church leaders must be “free from the love of money” (1 Tim. 3:3) in order to assume that responsibility. We would do well to revisit that mandate today. Instead of tarnishing ourselves with another scandal, let’s show the world that we can handle money properly.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma and the director of the Mordecai Project(themordecaiproject.org). You can follow him on Twitter at @leegrady. He is the author of 10 Lies Men Believe and other books.

Source: By J. Lee Grady, 6 Ways to Prevent an Embarrassing Ministry Scandal, Charisma Magazine, http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/fire-in-my-bones/19870-6-ways-to-prevent-an-embarrassing-ministry-scandal, Published 9:46AM EST /26/02/2014. (Accessed 10/30/2014.)

C3 Asheville Scandal – While Dean’s Playing Slick, Nick’s In The Knick (Part 7)

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in C3 & Pringles Associations, C3 Asheville Scandal

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If you are not familiar with the C3 Asheville scandal, please update yourself with our articles here:

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor Facing Prison (Part 1)
C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor “Pleads Guilty In Bank Fraud Case” (Part 2)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Sweetmans Do Nothing Against Fraudulent C3 Pastor? (Part 3)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Four “People… Have Pleaded Guilty” Including “[C3] Minister… Nicholas Dimitris” (Part 4)
C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 ‘Pastor’ Nick Dimitris: The Liar (Part 5)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Massive Financial Judgment Against C3 Asheville Pastor Nick Dimitris (Part 6)

A few years ago Nick Dimitris stated,

“Emily and I want to update you on some news about our family and the circumstances that has arisen. Over two years ago we purchased property from some folks who are currently under a federal investigation in pursuit for multiple proprieties. These individuals and the bank that provided the financing were allegedly involved in illegal behaviour.

Although we had no knowledge of their misbehaviour, we’ve been required to participate with the federal government in this case since we were the buyers. This has put us in a very difficult position and cooperation was not an option in the matter. Our testimony now is a very critical part of the case against these individuals.

You may have seen information about this in the media. And if so, please realise that the media is very good at misconstruing facts, which is misleading at best. Nevertheless, it sells papers. We cannot control what the media does or how they represent the circumstance.  But let me assure you church, the facts of the matter have been given to our overseers and a team of leaders within the church.”

Moving along, the Citizen-Times reports,

ASHEVILLE — Three men were sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for their roles in an elaborate scheme to obtain more than $23 million in illegal loans to forestall failure of the bankrupt Seven Falls development.

Robert Craig Gourlay, David G. Smith and Nicholas Dimitris conspired with developer Keith Vinson in a case that Judge Martin Reidinger described at the hearing as “a scourge on this community.”

“This is a case where the concerted actions of a few people brought down two banks,” the judge said in U.S. District Court in Asheville. “Not only was it serious wrongdoing, it was very harmful wrongdoing.”

Reidinger sentenced Gourlay, chief credit officer at Pisgah Community Bank, to 15 months in prison. Smith, a loan officer with the bank, received nine months. Dimitris, a minister and real estate investor, got 12 months.

Seven Falls filed for bankruptcy in 2009. The luxury development was planned to accommodate 900 homes and an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course on 1,400 acres, potentially adding $1.25 billion to Henderson County’s tax base.

Prosecutors said Vinson had “straw borrowers” take out illegal loans to buy lots in hopes of preventing foreclosure. Vinson was unable to borrow more money because of rules designed to limit banks’ exposure to any one borrower.

Gourlay and Smith authorized loans involving millions of dollars to straw borrowers, while Dimitris served as such a borrower on loans made by the bank, receiving kickbacks in return, according to criminal complaints filed in 2011.

The three are among 10 codefendants who reached plea deals with prosecutors, leaving only Vinson to stand trial. He was convicted by a jury last month on all 13 counts he was charged with, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, misapplication of bank funds, wire fraud and money laundering.

Reidinger ordered Vinson held without bond until sentencing. He faces up to 30 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

The judge said that in sentencing of Gourlay, Smith and Dimitris, he took into account their cooperation with the government in the case against Vinson. Gourlay and Dimitris testified at the trial.

But Reidinger pointed out that Bank of Asheville and Pisgah Community Bank failed as a result of the scheme. Such crimes serve to undermine the banking system, he said.

“When citizens don’t have confidence in the banking system, the economy collapses,” the judge said.

Prosecutors said Vinson began Seven Falls with a $25 million bank loan to be repaid with money from the sale of lots. He ran out of money in 2008, when the economy tanked and sales dried up. That’s when Vinson and his fellow conspirators came up with a “lot loan scheme” involving straw borrowers.

Former Bank of Asheville President George Gordon “Buddy” Greenwood pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges and was sentenced in May 2012 to four years in federal prison. According to court records, Greenwood was involved in illegal loans to Vinson totaling nearly $6.8 million.

Vinson and six other codefendants, including former Pisgah Community Bank President Thomas “Ted” Durham Jr., await sentencing.

Source: Clarke Morrison, 3 get prison in Seven Falls case – Three men get terms for conspiring with Vinson in loan scheme, http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20131127/NEWS01/311270022/3-get-prison-Seven-Falls-case?nclick_check=1, 26/11/2013. (Accessed 27/11/2013.)

C3 Asheville Scandal – Massive Financial Judgment Against C3 Asheville Pastor Nick Dimitris (Part 6)

22 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by in C3 Asheville Scandal

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Before reading our article below, please read this court document:

Court Document: Document 1

In the document attached to this article, (see Court Document 1) you’ll witness another of C3 Asheville pastor, Nicholas Dimitris’ legal woes. This document is public record, easily found on the internet and seems to show that the FDIC won a case Dimitris brought against them.

Unfortunately, it seems Dimtris now has a judgment against him for around $1.1million. Now, as a felon with a massive financial judgment against him and pending sentencing for pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud next week, November 26, it seems that C3 is still fine with him being a pastor. Despite his staff and 2 boards in one year quitting C3 Asheville, oversight persists with Dimitris. Oversight primarily meaning Dean Sweetman due to the fact that 2 other New York C3 pastors both came in to evaluate the situation and recommend that Dimitris be removed. Sweetman continues to stand with Nick Dimitris when hundreds of reputable people have had no other choice other than to walk away.

C3 Asheville once seemed like a growing church of 250 people but is now a shadow of its former self struggling along with 35 people. Having tried twice now, the people nor the 2 boards that left nor the 2 C3 New York pastors had the option to remove Dimitris. Their only option was to leave the church which most have done and mostly in disbelief that Sweetman didn’t act in light of evidence presented to him. Many who left C3 report having had their character assassinated by Dimitris in a subtle and clever campaign to discredit anyone who stands against him.

Another disturbing aspect of this Asheville drama is that according to those who were close to Dimitris, some retirees have lost everything. One retiree in C3 was reportedly asked by Dimtris to take out a $30,000 home equity loan. Nick Dimitris allegedly borrowed it from the retiree with the promise to pay it back in full once he received some big tax refunds. Dimitris did receive his massive tax returns and the retiree is still waiting for his repayment 2 years later.

Another elderly couple report being $50k short in a Dimitris “deal”. Another widow lost her life savings and had to move in with her kids while another retirement aged investor lost half a million. Story after story and tragedy after tragedy are slowly coming to surface over the C3 Asheville scandal.

Perhaps oversight should ask one simple question. What is the fruit that Nick Dimitris bears? Is it a multitude of broken relationships? Is it many people that have testified to losing their retirement or savings? Is it a destroyed church? Destroyed by a man who wouldn’t let go or step down? Is it a culture of corruption? Is it a culture of lies and tearing people down? Perhaps they’re just not close enough to see the fruit.

Recently Dean Sweetman has been commenting on C3 Church Watch. He is the regional director and overseer of the C3 Churches in the Americas. Please familiarise yourself with the background of the scandal that C3 Pastor Nick Dimitris was involved in and how the C3 Church leadership reacted to him.

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor Facing Prison (Part 1)
C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor “Pleads Guilty In Bank Fraud Case” (Part 2)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Sweetmans Do Nothing Against Fraudulent C3 Pastor? (Part 3)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Four “People… Have Pleaded Guilty” Including “[C3] Minister… Nicholas Dimitris” (Part 4)

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 ‘Pastor’ Nick Dimitris: The Liar (Part 5)

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

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Recently Dean Sweetman has been commenting on C3 Church Watch. He is the regional director and overseer of the C3 Churches in the Americas. Before reading the below newspaper articles, please familiarise yourself with the background of the scandal that C3 Pastor Nick Dimitris was involved in and how the C3 Church leadership reacted to him.

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor Facing Prison (Part 1)
C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor “Pleads Guilty In Bank Fraud Case” (Part 2)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Sweetmans Do Nothing Against Fraudulent C3 Pastor? (Part 3)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Four “People… Have Pleaded Guilty” Including “[C3] Minister… Nicholas Dimitris” (Part 4)

Back in 2012, there was  a “7 Days of Praise” conference from January 2nd-8th. On the 9th of January, the first article hit the paper about the bank fraud scandal Pastor Nick Dimitris was involved in.

This was when the church first found out about it. Nick Dimitris made the below comment the following Sunday,

“Hey I want to read a statement to you church and give you an update. Emily and I want to update you on some news about our family and the circumstances that has arisen. Over two years ago we purchased property from some folks who are currently under a federal investigation in pursuit for multiple proprieties. These individuals and the bank that provided the financing were allegedly involved in illegal behaviour.

Although we had no knowledge of their misbehaviour, we’ve been required to participate with the federal government in this case since we were the buyers. This has put us in a very difficult position and cooperation was not an option in the matter. Our testimony now is a very critical part of the case against these individuals.

You may have seen information about this in the media. And if so, please realise that the media is very good at misconstruing facts, which is misleading at best. Nevertheless, it sells papers. We cannot control what the media does or how they represent the circumstance.  But let me assure you church, the facts of the matter have been given to our overseers and a team of leaders within the church. And they’re all standing with us in full support and have counselled us to work with the federal government in their process.

Although this is a challenge and a big challenge for us, we will get through it. And this circumstance will not affect the church operations as we move forward. Please pray and stand with us as we build the kingdom and move forward securing location and the future to make accommodations for growth as God builds his church.” – Nick Dimitris, C3 Asheville, 15/01/2012.

Nick Dimitris, on the 15h of January 2012, lied to church members. He claimed, “we had no knowledge of their misbehaviour”. He was heavily involved in the scandal and the courts have charged him guilty.

Fast forward to 2013 and people can see that the front page of the Asheville Citizen Times has the ring leader of the Asheville bank fraud conspiracy, Keith Vinson, in prison today and guilty of all charges.

We have been informed by reliable sources that Keith Vinson had multiple meetings with ‘Pastor’ Nick Dimitris in his office regarding all of these dodgy loans. This was also confirmed by staff and people that worked with Dimitris. 

The above transcript records Nick Dimitris standing in front of C3 Asheville stating that all he did was buy real estate off people who were being investigated. He lied to the church as it was actually a conspiracy.

The transcript says that an oversight team was standing behind him. Stephen Hickson was the oversight for C3 Asheville. He stated plainly that Nick Dimitris should be removed. Dean Sweetman overrode Hicksons decision and Hickson resigned as oversight. The entire deal was a farce and one man (Dean Sweetman) had all the power. Oversight, board, staff, congregation all had zero power other than to leave or resign. In saying this, we would like Dean Sweetman to offer his side of the story.

Dean Sweetman, who visits this website, says he’s been waiting for the final outcome. With some of the things stated in the article below, Dean Sweetman should be very concerned in standing and defending Nick Dimitris. He hasn’t been sentenced yet but this article highlights the fact that all of the guys, including Nick, are guilty.

So what is Dean Sweetman going to do with ‘Pastor’ Nick Dimitris?

The Asheville Citizen Times reports, 

Seven Falls’ Vinson guilty
Developer faces up to 30 years in prison

ASHEVILLE — A federal jury convicted failed Seven Falls developer Keith Vinson on Thursday in what prosecutors described as a illegal conspiracy involving millions of dollars intended to save his “beautiful dream.”

Vinson was found guilty on all charges contained in a 13-count indictment that alleged conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, misapplication of bank funds, wire fraud and money laundering.

Some counts carry penalties of as much as 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Vinson had been free on pretrial release but was jailed Thursday night to wait for sentencing, which will happen at a later date.

“When you risk the funds of federally insured banks through fraudulent loans and transactions, be prepared to pay the price,” U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins said in a statement. “Today’s outcome will finally bring some justice to those defrauded by Vinson.”

Seven Falls filed for bankruptcy in 2009. The development was planned to accommodate 900 homes and an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course on 1,400 acres, potentially adding $1.25 billion to Henderson County’s tax base.

Vinson had “straw borrowers” take out illegal loans to prop up the development in hopes of preventing foreclosure, Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast said in closing arguments to the jury Thursday.

“These were sham transactions,” Gast said in Vinson’s fraud trial in U.S. District Court. “He knew the banks couldn’t loan him any more money. He sent in straw borrowers to borrow on his behalf.

“Mr. Vinson and his co-conspirators turned this sad tale into a crime. This was a conspiracy and a fraud, and it was one that caused two banks to collapse, and that’s what causes taxpayers to have to eat those losses.”

Defense attorney Clark Fischer argued that the government’s case was based on “speculation and conjecture” as well as “guilt by association” with other defendants who pleaded guilty to the scheme.

Vinson didn’t know about or participate in obtaining the illegal loans used to buy lots in Seven Falls, Fischer said.

“The evidence is very clear that Keith Vinson made bad business decisions,” he said during closing arguments Thursday.

“He clearly bit off more than he could chew. Keith Vinson stands before you as a failed businessman, but he committed no crime.”

Jurors deliberated Thursday for more than four hours following eight days of testimony. The evidence included 26 witnesses and hundreds of documents.

Vinson declined to testify, and the defense elected not to put on any evidence. He showed little or no emotion as the judge read the jury’s verdict. Vinson did shake his head and appeared upset as the prosecution motioned to revoke his pretrial release.

Reporters were asked to leave the courtroom for about five minutes as specific details of his income were discussed and his cross-examination with Gast became testy at times.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Savage said Vinson began the venture with a $25 million bank loan to be repaid with money from the sale of lots. But Vinson ran out of money in 2008 when the economy tanked and the sales dried up.

The prosecutor said Vinson and his fellow conspirators came up with a “lot loan scheme” that involved straw borrowers buying lots with loans they didn’t intend to repay. Vinson was unable to borrow more money because of rules designed to limit banks’ exposure to any one borrower.

Gast cited the testimony of real estate investor and codefendant Avery Ted “Buck” Cashion III, who said he often talked with Vinson about the conspiracy to obtain illegal loans.

“All of that fraud involves that man,” said Savage, pointing to Vinson in the courtroom Thursday. “Is there any reasonable doubt? The answer is no.”

But Clark said Vinson never asked anyone to make an illegal loan and that it was Cashion who directed the scheme. Cashion testified that Vinson never told him lie to bank officials.

“It was Buck who was in the banks every day trying to get these deals done,” Clark said. “Keith Vinson was not a conspirator with Buck Cashion. There is no evidence Keith Vinson did anything improperly.”

Clark said Vinson wasn’t present at any loan application or signing.

Ten co-defendants already had pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme, which left Vinson as the only conspirator left to stand trial.

According to the 27-page indictment, Vinson and others “devised and executed various schemes to defraud federally insured banks and others to forestall the failure of their luxury residential development.”

Three defendants who had been scheduled to be tried along with Vinson entered guilty pleas last month. Former Pisgah Community Bank President Thomas ”Ted” Durham Jr. and retired appraiser Aaron Ollis each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. Accountant George M. Gabler pleaded guilty to withholding information about a crime.

Cashion and real estate investor Raymond “Ray” Chapman Jr. pleaded guilty last month to one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Durham and former Bank of Asheville President George Gordon “Buddy” Greenwood “conspired to conceal the risks posed by Seven Falls-related loans from their shareholders, auditors and regulators,” court records state.

Greenwood pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges and was sentenced in May 2012 to four years in federal prison. According to court records, Greenwood was involved in illegal loans to Vinson totaling nearly $6.8 million.

Problems with Seven Falls played a key role in the fall of the Bank of Asheville.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. shut down the bank in January 2011 and transferred its assets to Troy-based First Bank because of big losses on loans.

Pisgah Community Bank also failed because of the conspiracy, according to the government.

Source: Clarke Morrison & Romando Dixson, Seven Falls’ Vinson guilty, The Asheville Citizen Times, http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20131018/NEWS/310170091/Seven-Falls-Vinson-guilty, 18/10/2013. (Accessed 20/10/2013.)

C3 Asheville Scandal – Four “People… Have Pleaded Guilty” Including “[C3] Minister… Nicholas Dimitris” (Part 4)

05 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by in C3 Asheville Scandal

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Recently Dean Sweetman has been commenting on C3 Church Watch. He is the regional director and overseer of the C3 Churches in the Americas. You can read some of his responses to the C3 Asheville scandal in the comment sections of these articles.

Court News Update
The House Of The Rising Sun

Before reading the below newspaper articles, please familiarise yourself with the background of the scandal that C3 Pastor Nick Dimitris was involved in and how the C3 Church leadership reacted to him.

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor Facing Prison (Part 1)
C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor “Pleads Guilty In Bank Fraud Case” (Part 2)
C3 Asheville Scandal – Sweetmans Do Nothing Against Fraudulent C3 Pastor? (Part 3)

Ask yourself this question – in light of Nick Dimitris being charged guilty in 2011, has Pastor and ‘Executive Regional C3 Americas Overseer’ Dean Sweetman handled himself well on this blog and over the scandal in Asheville? Have your say below.

The Citizen Times Reported,

2 plead guilty in Seven Falls case

ASHEVILLE — Two more defendants charged with conspiracy in an elaborate scheme to illegally obtain more than $23 million to forestall failure of the bankrupt Seven Falls development pleaded guilty this week.

Real estate investors Avery Ted “Buck” Cashion III and Raymond “Ray” Chapman Jr. each face up to five years in prison and $250,000 fines when they are sentenced, according to court records.

The defendants pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Asheville to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Terms of the plea agreement with prosecutors remain sealed.

Prosecutors allege Cashion and Chapman were involved in a scheme with Seven Falls developer Keith Vinson to have “straw borrowers” buy lots in the development they did not intend to repay. Vinson was unable to borrow more money because of rules designed to limit banks’ exposure to any one borrower.

Vinson and the other remaining three defendants – accountant George M. Gabler, former Pisgah Community Bank President Thomas “Ted” Durham and retired appraiser Aaron Ollis – are scheduled to go on trial Oct. 7.

Source: Clarke Morrison, 2 plead guilty in Seven Falls case, The Citizen Times, http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013130920016, 20/09/2013. (Accessed 05/10/2013.)

The Citizen Times also recently reported,

Vinson arraigned on Seven Falls indictment
New Seven Falls indictment reflects co-conspirators’ pleas

ASHEVILLE — Developer Keith Vinson was arraigned Thursday on charges contained in a new grand jury indictment alleging an elaborate conspiracy to obtain more than $23 million in illegal loans to prop up his failing Seven Falls development.

The indictment replaces one filed last year as a way to streamline Vinson’s trial, which is set to begin Monday in U.S. District Court in Asheville, prosecutors said in court papers.

The superseding bill reduces the number of criminal counts from 48 to 13. The charges include conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, misapplication of bank funds, wire fraud and money laundering.

Some charges carry penalties of as much as 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Prosecutors said the new indictment reflects the fact that all of Vinson’s 10 alleged co-conspirators have pleaded guilty.

“In order to avoid confusing the jury,” the indictment reorders the remaining counts and updates the status of the other defendants, court records state. Since the document doesn’t add any new counts or “substantive allegations,” the government believes there’s no need to delay the trial.

According to the 27-page indictment, Vinson and others “devised and executed various schemes to defraud federally insured banks and others to forestall the failure of their luxury residential development and golf resort in Henderson County, North Carolina, known as Seven Falls.”

Three defendants who had been scheduled to be tried along with Vinson entered guilty pleas last week. Former Pisgah Community Bank President Thomas “Ted” Durham Jr. and retired appraiser Aaron Ollis each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. Accountant George M. Gabler pleaded guilty to withholding information about a crime.

Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell told Durham and Ollis they each face maximum sentences of five years in prison, while Gabler could spend up to three years behind bars.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast said that as part of their plea agreements with prosecutors, the defendants agreed to assist the government in the case.

Prosecutors allege Vinson and other defendants were involved in a scheme to have “straw borrowers” buy lots in the development with loans they did not intend to repay. Vinson was unable to borrow more money because of rules designed to limit banks’ exposure to any one borrower.

Seven Falls filed for bankruptcy in 2009. The luxury development was planned to accommodate 900 homes and an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course on 1,400 acres, potentially adding $1.25 billion to Henderson County’s tax base.

Weeds have overtaken the golf course, and overgrowth has made it hard to see the pro shop, one of the few structures on the property, which has suffered severe erosion.

Real estate investors Avery Ted “Buck” Cashion III and Raymond “Ray” Chapman Jr. pleaded guilty last month to one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Durham and former Bank of Asheville President George Gordon “Buddy” Greenwood “conspired to conceal the risks posed by Seven Falls-related loans from their shareholders, auditors and regulators,” court records state.

Greenwood pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges and was sentenced in May 2012 to four years in federal prison. According to court records, Greenwood was involved in illegal loans to Vinson totaling nearly $6.8 million.

Problems with Seven Falls played a key role in the fall of the Bank of Asheville. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. shut down the bank in January 2011 and transferred its assets to Troy-based First Bank because of big losses on loans.

Four other people also have pleaded guilty to being involved in schemes to make or receive straw loans. They are former Pisgah Community Bank officials Robert Craig Gourlay and David G. Smith, minister and real estate investor Nicholas Dimitris and former banker Andrew Quinn Hager.

In the early 1980s, Vinson served just more than two years in prison in Florida for felony convictions for forgery, obtaining property under false pretenses and grand theft.

He was convicted in 1982 in Jacksonville, Fla., according to records from the Duval County Clerk of Court, the Clay County Clerk of Court and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Vinson was sentenced to five years and spent 25 months in a Florida prison, receiving parole in February 1984.

Source: Clarke Morrison, Vinson arraigned on Seven Falls indictment…, The Citizen Times, http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20131004/NEWS/310040036/, 03/10/2013. (Accessed 05/10/2013.)

C3 Asheville Scandal – Sweetmans Do Nothing Against Fraudulent C3 Pastor? (Part 3)

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by in C3 & Pringles Associations, C3 Asheville Scandal

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Previously on C3 Church Watch,

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor Facing Prison (Part 1)

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor “Pleads Guilty In Bank Fraud Case” (Part 2)

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Jesus said,

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy…” Luke 12:1

Jesus often labeled the Pharisees of his days as false teachers and false prophets. He also called them hypocrites. In the greek, a hypocrite was someone who was an actor. What we’ve seen in the C3 Asheville scandal is show after show, starring the US C3 Leadership.

From what we know, Nick Dimitris is still the current Pastor at C3 Asheville. A few months ago, Nick Dimitris retweeted ‘C3 Church Asheville’:

“Everywoman event at C3 Church Asheville 7pm tonight w/ special guest, Jill Sweetman – 40 Haywood Street, downtown.pic.twitter.com/V4fsdpTC“

(Source: Retweeted by Nick Dimitris, https://twitter.com/nickdimitris, 10/11/2012. Accessed 28/01/2013.)

proof_twitterDimitrisAndSweetman_28-01-2013

If Nick Dimitris is still the Pastor of C3 Asheville one has to ask the question: Why is Jill Sweetman allowing Dimitris to remain a C3 Pastor and speaking at his Everywoman Conference?

From what we’re seeing, the Sweetman’s have no problem allowing C3 Pastor Nick Dimitris pull the wool over his congregations eyes after the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp) accused him of bank fraud. In fact, they further endorse him by speaking at his conferences.

Furthermore, Dimitris tweeted the following last year in early January:

“Day 3 of the 7 Days of Praise is tonight at 7pm! We are praying over people for provision, resource & blessing. Bring everyone u can!!”

(Source: Nick Dimitris, https://twitter.com/nickdimitris/status/154281827463471104, 04/01/2012. Accessed 28/01/2013.)

“Many special guests tonight at the 7 Days of Praise [7pm] >> Financial miracles, anointing for increase… Get ready for more then enough!”

(Source: Nick Dimitris, https://twitter.com/nickdimitris/status/154337207371579392, 04/01/2012. Accessed 28/01/2013.)

“”7 Days of Praise” – Praying over people for unity, reconciliation & restoration in relationships. God can restore everything! 7pm”

(Source: Nick Dimitris, https://twitter.com/nickdimitris/status/155039353440174080, 06/01/2012. Accessed 28/01/2013.)

proof_twitterDimitrisCashVille_28-01-2013

In the tweets, Dimitris is expecting that “financial miracles”, “anointing for increase”,  “unity, reconciliation & restoration in relationships” happen and “provision, resource & blessing” occur in his 7 Days of Praise event. Yet what has Dimitris done to fix the people he financially exploited in his congregation? What has he done to fix the division, bitterness and hurt he caused in his skulduggery? Why didn’t the Sweetman’s step in and prevent this smokescreen praise event from occuring? Why are the Sweetman’s speaking at Dimitris’ conferences and not dealing with their C3 Asheville Pastor for committing bank fraud?

NICK DIMITRIS ON RECORD

What makes this behaviour disturbing by Dimitris and the Sweetman’s was that the FDIC  accused C3 Church Pastor Dimitris of bank fraud less then a month ago when the 7 Day of Praise event was put on. The below public record (stamped 05/12/2011), shows Dimitris pleading guilty under oath to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Public Record: Dimitris Pleads Guilty

Key points from this document indicate that Nicholas Dimitris:

      1. “Did willfully embezzle, abstract, purloin and willfully misapply any of the moneys, funds, or credits of Pisgah Community Bank, in that you did procure and obtain as a straw borrower a series of straw borrower loans and that you recruited other persons to obtain straw borrower loans”.
      2. “… willfully became a member of that conspiracy”.
      3. Acted “… knowingly, intentionally, unlawfully and willfully.”

Nick Dimitris responded to the following questions.

“Are you in fact guilty of the count in the bill of information to which you have come to court today to plead guilty? That is, did you commit the act(s) described in count one of the bill of information?

YES”

“Is your plea of guilty voluntary and not the result of coercion, threats or promises other that those contained in the written plea agreement?

YES”

Sentencing has not happened in this case yet.

NICK DIMITRIS’ QUALIFICATIONS

Dimitris offers some revealing information about his “education”.

It is stated,

“… Then did a ‘correspondence'(?) out of Beacon University in Columbus Georgia. The defendant says he has enough credits for a Bachelor Degree in Theology.”

Does Beacon University sound familiar? Oddly enough, our previous investigation into Dale Bronner revealed that the US courts exposed Beacon University (Christian Life ) to be a diploma mill and agreed in court to “refund tuition” and no longer award degrees. This would explain why Dimitris said he has enough credits for a Bachelor Degree in Theology.

RealMen With False Doctorates (Who Is Dale Bronner?)

This is a really sad thing to see in the C3 Churches of America. Please pray that the situation over in Asheville is resolved. C3 Church Watch will keep you posted as to whether the United States of America sentences this C3 pastor to prison or not.

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor “Pleads Guilty In Bank Fraud Case” (Part 2)

14 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by in C3 & Pringles Associations, C3 Asheville Scandal

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Pringle Leadership Scandals

Previously on C3 Church Watch, we published this article on a C3 pastor who would be “facing five years in prison for his part in a bank fraud scheme involving real estate investors”.

C3 Asheville Scandal – C3 Pastor Facing Prison (Part 1)

We now have found prior information on this incident.

The Telegram reports,

Asheville pastor pleads guilty in bank fraud case

ASHEVILLE, N.C. —  An Asheville pastor faces five years in prison for his part in a scheme to defraud a local bank by using so-called “straw borrowers” to get $825,000 in loans.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reports (http://avlne.ws/yHxoMX) that Nicholas Dimitris (dim-EET’-rihs) pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in federal court last month.

Dimitris admitted to being part of a scheme to use straw borrowers, or stand-ins for the real recipients, to get loans from Pisgah Community Bank.

The 37-year-old is the pastor of C3 Church in Asheville. A call to his lawyer, Ronald True, was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Along with a maximum of five years in federal prison, Dimitris could also face a fine of up to $250,000.

It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday if a sentencing date has been set.

___

Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com

Source: Telegram.com, Asheville pastor pleads guilty in bank fraud case, http://www.telegram.com/article/20120110/APN/301109696/10091121/RSS02&source=rss, Articled published: 10/1/2012. (Accessed 14/01/2012.)

proof_telegram c3 bank fraud_14-01-2013

dsda

NOTES: ALL SCREEN GRABS WERE TAKEN ON 14/01/2013.