An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the multi-count indictment of David C. Berry, a pastor from Jasper, Tennessee. According to the Comptroller’s Office, Berry is the pastor of the Praise & Worship Family Outreach Center (PWFOC) and the owner of The Tax Service in Jasper. In 2011, he was appointed as the representative payee through the Social Security Administration to manage disability payments on behalf of a disabled adult.
Investigators determined that Berry misappropriated over $27,000 belonging to the disabled adult and also named himself as conservator and exceeded his authority by controlling over $366,000 belonging to the disabled adult and his wife. The investigation found Berry made multiple questionable transfers from accounts belonging to the disabled adult and his wife.
The Marion County Grand Jury has indicted David C. Berry on one count of financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult; one count of theft over $10,000; and one count of violation of the Computer Crimes Act.