PTL Figure Pleads Guilty, Will Testify Against Bakker

CHARLOTTE, N. C. — Richard Dortch, a former top assistant to PTL founder Jim Bakker, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy in connection with the television ministry.

In addition, Dortch agreed to testify against Bakker at his fraud and conspiracy trial later this month.

George T. Davis, Bakker’s attorney, said he was surprised to learn of the plea-bargain arrangement with Dortch. He said that Dortch’s testimony “has got to have some effect.”

Dortch, a former PTL executive vice president, pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud, wire fraud by telephone, wire fraud by television and conspiracy, one of his attorneys, Mark Calloway, said.

Under the agreement with the prosecution, Dortch is to cooperate with the U.S. attorney’s office and the Justice Department in “whatever form” requested, including giving “sworn testimony in court and documentary materials.”

Dortch still could be sentenced to as long as 10 years in prison and fined up to $500,000, but prosecutors have agreed to ask the trial judge to dismiss the 20 other charges in the indictment.

Both Dortch and Bakker were due in court later this month to answer fraud and conspiracy charges. Jury selection for the trial is to begin on Aug. 21.

The case stems from a 16-month federal grand jury investigation into the TV evangelism empire that Bakker led. The panel returned a 24-count indictment charging the former PTL leaders with diverting more than $4 million from the ministry to their own uses.