PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A Portsmouth church that was once pastored by former councilman Mark Whitaker has declared bankruptcy, citing that it's more than $400 million in debt.
New Bethel Baptist Church filed for bankruptcy in September. According to the claim, they only have less than $700 in the bank.
Before Whitaker was indicted on forgery charges and convicted last year. He falsified financial documents related to loans from a credit union run by New Bethel Baptist.
A judge upheld the jury's recommendations of a $2,500 fine for each of the three counts against Whitaker, but Whitaker filed an appeal in June.