Reverend Allegedly Leaches $16K from Elderly Church Member
A pastor is accused of coercing a church member with Alzheimer’s disease, hijacking his finances, and spending thousands at retail stores.
Rev. Gregory Oats, 31, from St. Paul’s, allegedly persuaded Vernon Rollins to give him power of attorney over his money, which the pastor took full advantage of and made over 130 withdraws that drained $16,000 of Rollins’ finances, according to a complaint filed Oct. 25.
The situation is threatening the 77-year-old disable man, who suffers from diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer disease. He is facing eviction from Golden Living Center-Chateau nursing home, as his bills reached $13,000 and have gone unpaid for nine months.
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Rachel Rollins, the daughter of Vernon, shared with the Star Tribune that she believed the pastor and her father had a relationship based on trust, and they “shared a passion for preaching, ordination into Pentecostal ministries and a deep concern for others.”
Rachel was shocked when she came to realize how the pastor exploited her father, who was also a former deacon at the church.
"We were really happy when Greg befriended Dad, helped him get to the doctor, visited, prayed with him. When I got suspicious, I still wanted to believe I was wrong about Greg,” said Rachel.
Carmen Castenda, the manager for the Hennepin County Adult Protection Services, disclosed the dangers of elderly people giving power over their finances to others.
"We don't recommend people grant power of attorney. In the right hands, trusted hands, it is a powerfully useful tool. In the wrong hands it's a license to steal,” said Castenda.
Linda Rollins, the former spouse of the disabled deacon, shared that he is a good man who worked hard for the ministry.
"Vern was always looking out for people. He'd go to court with people, get people counseling or medical care or food," Linda said.
