DALLAS – In a high-profile case of fraud, Pastor Whitney Foster, 56, has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison after being convicted of stealing real estate from three churches in Dallas. The Dallas County District Attorney's Office announced that Foster was found guilty of property theft exceeding $300,000. The properties involved include First Christian Church in Lancaster, Canada Drive Church in Dallas, and Nineveh Church in Dallas.
Prosecutors revealed that Foster, who has a criminal history including convictions for identity theft and arson, forged deeds to claim ownership of these churches. He falsely listed a nonexistent leader of the victim churches as the grantor and his church as the grantee. The total value of the stolen properties is estimated at over $800,000.
Two of the properties remain under Foster’s name or that of his church, with his congregation still meeting at one location. The third church continues to face legal challenges as a result of Foster's fraudulent activities, according to attorneys involved in the case.
"Property ownership is a bedrock of our society – it provides security, a home, a place to love and welcome each other," stated Lead Prosecutor Phillip Clark. "It also plays a crucial role in our economy, affecting buying, selling, renting, and the property taxes that fund local government services. Deed fraud is not just a dispute; it is theft, a deliberate act of deceit with profound impacts. I am grateful that the jury saw the truth in this case and delivered justice."
During the trial, the jury was presented with evidence of seven additional fraudulent deeds, all bearing similar fraudulent characteristics to those central to this case, the DA's office confirmed.
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