By Marjorie Hernandez
Monday, September 21, 2009
While the pastor of Solid Rock’s Christian Center in Ventura remained in jail facing alleged theft and embezzlement charges, members of his congregation established a defense fund and prayed for his return during a Sunday service.
Alonzo Gene McCowan, commonly known as the Rev. Lonnie McCowan, and his wife, Kimberly Ann Oglesby McCowan, of Camarillo were arrested Thursday for allegedly duping now 86-year-old Leo Gilmond into signing over the deed to his Ventura home in October 2004.
Members who attended the 11 a.m. service at the Solid Rock’s Christian Center on Walker Street gathered in prayer for their pastor and his wife. The Rev. Robert Franco, assistant pastor, started the service by reading a statement written by the McCowans to more than 100 people in the audience.
“We are absolutely not guilty of these charges,” the McCowans said. “We plan to fight this vigorously and be vindicated.”
According to a felony complaint, McCowan, 49, was charged with two counts of theft from an elderly person and two counts of money laundering in an amount that surpassed $500,000. He remained in jail Sunday night on $500,000 bail.
Kimberly McCowan, 45, was charged with one count of grand theft and one count of money laundering. She was released Friday after posting a $40,000 bail. The couple will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. today in Ventura County Superior Court.
According to an affidavit filed by Frank Huber, investigating officer for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, McCowan told Gilmond that the Ventura home would be used as a rental for church dignitaries and students. In exchange, McCowan told Gilmond he would pay him $460,000. While records show the McCowans made installment payments totaling $10,000, a payment of $450,000 was due in January 2008. The home eventually went into foreclosure, something Gilmond discovered when he tried to collect the $450,000 payment.
According to the affidavit, the McCowans took out a loan and withdrew $420,000 in equity by refinancing the property in Kimberly McCowan’s name.
Gilmond filed a lawsuit against the McCowans, which was settled in 2008. Ron Bamieh, the McCowans’ attorney, said Sunday he could not provide details of the settlement, except to say that the couple’s payments were current.
“Mr. McCowan and I both believe this is much ado about nothing,” Bamieh said. “It has to do with a prior civil suit that was already settled between the parties. (Mr. Gilmond) is no novice and he is sophisticated in dealing with real estate, while prosecutors have portrayed him a feeble elderly, when that is not the case.
“I believe once the facts come to light, they will see ... in reality, (McCowan) has lived his life the way he has preached it.”
According to the affidavit filed by Huber, McCowan purchased a $480,000 property in Camarillo, and some of the money used in the down payment was borrowed from Terry and Cheri Tucker. The Tuckers, former proprietors of Tucker Realty and Tucker Mortgage, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of bank fraud.
In a news release issued Sept. 18, county prosecutors appealed to the public for any information that could be pertinent in the McCowans’ case.
If convicted, McCowan faces a maximum of 15 years and four months in prison, with $1.74 million in fines and restitution. His wife faces a maximum of six years and four months in prison, with $250,000 in fines, plus restitution.
After the one-hour service Sunday, Franco spoke to members about a defense fund established for the McCowans at the First California Bank.
“What I want is for my pastor to come home,” Franco told the group of about 25 who stayed after the service. When approached by a reporter after the service, Franco said he did not want to comment further on the case.
Barbara and Richard Martinez of Santa Barbara, who attended the service, said they do not believe the allegations against the couple.
“It saddens me that he and his family are going through all of this,” Barbara Martinez said. “It breaks my heart because they have been such a wonderful example. They do much for others, and he is a man of God. There is no doubt in our minds that they are completely innocent.”
© 2009 Ventura County Star
