First reported by Jonathan Pelto www.jonathanpelto.com, the Connecticut Post weighs in on the legal challenges of Board of Education Chairman Ken Moales:
Board of Education Chairman Rev. Kenneth Moales Jr., who has been very vocal in his defense of Interim Schools Superintendent Paul Vallas, is now faced with even a bigger challenge–barring his church’s doors from a large gathering of creditors.
Foundation Capital Resources, a lender to church groups around the country, recently filed a foreclosure action against Moales’ church, the Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, claiming unpaid mortgages totaling $7.3 million dollars. In addition, liens have been filed against the church and a number of properties it owns in the city’s East End totaling nearly $1 million more.
But Moales, who was treasurer of Mayor Bill Finch’s last campaign, contends it is not a lack of funds but the tactics of an aggressive lender that are the root of his evil.
“My dad left me a millionaire, I’m fine, we’re fine, we don’t have any financial problems,” Moales said Tuesday. “We are having a banking issue.”
Read more here.
Millionaires don’t pay their bills? Maybe you can pick up the legal tab for Paul.
Rev. Moales, do you realize what your comment about being fine because your dad left you a Millionaire? What a blessing is that! And he made that money how? When you think about the average yearly earnings of your congregants it is a callous thoughtless comment. Cocky to say the least, especially for a Reverend. You should be ashamed; your congregants should be disgusted. Nice you are such a religious man. There is big money in your type of religion preying on the poor and ignorant. This could swing the gates open on a full investigation of not only your financial issues but your dealings with the City and board of Education and how many of your properties are exempt from taxes. We all go through hard times. We certainly do not brag about having a million and thinking upstanding citizens are not repulsed by your bad behavior. But reading about your misfortune and your comments is reprehensible to me and I am certain your congregants feel the same way.
Shouldn’t a religious person be a little more humble?
*** Sounds like a spoiled arrogant response from a minister who should be “Thankful” for all his blessings in life and not just Benjamins in general. ***
What an arrogant jerk. Underwhelmed here. I can’t believe he is stupid enough to go on the record with the millionaire remark. We don’t shive a git if you are a millionaire Moales, no one is concerned about your welfare.
I guess the good minister never heard the scripture that states “blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” Doesn’t look as if he qualifies. Seriously, they don’t make them any more pompous than he is.
Another phony living off his flock. These fake churches are everywhere. What a joke.
He’s a consummate flock head. I’ve seen a lot of ‘inherited’ millionaires go bust in a very short period of time.
True, but don’t forget, he has tax-exempt status. However, it doesn’t exonerate him when the creditors start pursuing him. Such unbelievable arrogance.
My comment has to do with only the late Bishop Kenneth Moales Sr. I have no idea of his wealth but I do know he was a child prodigy. Little Kenny Moales traveled this country then the world as a child preacher and singer. At his funeral at Harbor Yard, T.D. Jakes and other famous clergy from around America came to celebrate Bishop Kenneth Moales’ life work.
To all the people who love Vallas, this is the man who is working to keep Vallas in place. And remember his church is in one of the poorest neighborhoods in B’port yet he brags about being a millionaire. And no comment JML … he is supporting your boy Vallas.
How disgusting. He actually passes a collection plate on Sundays? Stealing from the poorest of the poor. What is his title and responsibility on the BOE? Where is the FBI on this one? Can’t wait to see him led away in handcuffs.
Moales is what you get when you start privatizing education or a lot of other services traditionally performed by govt. The GOP has been very quiet on this issue, could it be Finch has made a deal so he can get rid of the WF minority on the Board?
Steven, first let me say my comments are not an endorsement for Moales nor am I a member of his church, but I do take exception to your comments “There is big money in your type of religion preying on the poor and ignorant.” Are you intimating or insinuating because an individual goes to his church they are indeed ignorant? Does an individual have to be ignorant to go to a particular church so they can get the word of Christ? Does the minister’s ignorance have anything to do with his or her ability to deliver the word of Jesus Christ?
Steven, are members of the Catholic faith ignorant because they continue to support their church after all of the priests who were arrested for child molestations and the fact senior members supposedly hide their involvement? Last year a Rabbi was arrested in New York City for child molestation, are the members of that Synagogue or Shul now ignorant because they continue to worship in the place they consider their home?
Steven, in your zeal to ostracize the minister you cast aspersions on the whole flock. My best friend of 40 years goes to this church and he has done so for over twenty years and has no desire or inclination to leave and I know for a fact he is neither poor nor ignorant. How dare you categorize all the members of this church as so! I see you are always admonishing yahooy for his divisive and discordant posts and here you are doing the same thing.
Steven, you owe the members of this church an apology for your disputatious post. Maybe a little self-reflection on your part is needed.
Mr. Day, let me make myself perfectly clear. I do not think any individual who goes to a church is ignorant. For the most part I have total respect for individuals who hold a higher power in great esteem. My point was and is this: Second-generation preachers who are millionaires in poor neighborhoods are questionable. 8 million dollar churches in poor neighborhoods are embarrassing. If you are proud of that and support Moales, I am happy for you. I will not call you ignorant. If you think that church is serving Jesus then you can rationalize that. I would imagine Moales had as part of his master plan cashing in on his father’s celebrity was to have one of those mega church ministries so he could be richer while the neighborhood lay waste. How lucky Mr. Day the Reverend has you and the Mayor as a supporter for his false prophet church. An apology? GET REAL. Let Mr. Moales apologize for borrowing 8 million and feeling he didn’t have to pay it back. As for the Catholic Church, they have their own sins and scandals they are dealing with. That has nothing at all to do with my opinion on Moales. These Reverends with millions and politically involved is just against everything G-d stands for.
Mr. Day, an apology from me? That is not going to happen. If you really want to defend Moales and intentionally misinterpret my comments regarding his comments, that’s your naivete. All of those Mega churches are infringing thieves looking to make a few very rich. How pathetic the reverend is on The BOE, the president no less and his own children go to private school. Please, your post was wasted and you stand alone. Moales is not very popular with those who are literate. Does that comment insult you? If the congregation reads then let their eyes, ears and hearts know the truth.
Mr. Day, regarding the Rabbi in New York who was arrested. I do not condemn the congregation from going to that synagogue. I believe that Rabbi needs to go to jail. He is despicable. The congregation were more into crucifying the mother and child who raised awareness to the abuse that existed in the temple than condemning the Rabbi who did the crime. Pathetic at best. That being said, if you are receiving the word of Christ from your Church and you are content, excellent. But these mega churches in poor areas while the Reverands are millionaires … forgive me sir but give me a fucking break! We are good, Mr. Day?
Steven, now you are the arbiter of what’s best for black folks as it relates to our religion and where we should worship! What makes you think you know what’s best for black folks; I know, one of your best friends is black! For you to know what’s goes on in Moales’ church one would have to assume you have been there and listened to what he says while on the pulpit and we both know that’s bullshit. Let me set the record straight as to who I am, who I support and what I believe.
First you had me as a supporter and a constituent of Ernie Newton because I took yahooy to task for what he said about Ernie. I don’t live on the East End, but I did for over 25 years and I have an unyielding love for the people and the area. Secondly you say I am a supporter of Moales and Finch because I took you to task for your blatant bigoted assumption that everyone who goes to his church is poor and ignorant, your words not mine. That fact is I worship at Mt. Aery Baptist Church under the leadership of the honorable Reverend Doctor Anthony L. Bennett and been doing so for 18 years this Christmas. Stop in sometime and ask anyone at the Mount who is Donald Day and they can show you who I am.
I have taken Moales and Finch to task in numerous forums, including OIB and the Connecticut Post editorials. I have never and will never support either of these individuals because I know neither has the best interest of black folks in the City of Bridgeport. I also know you don’t have the best interest of black folks from Bridgeport when you make the statement about a whole race of people being ignorant for no other reason than where they choose to worship.
Why aren’t the Catholics who worship at churches where a priest molested children ignorant or Jews who worship at synagogues where the Rabbi molested children not ignorant? Does race color your opinions as to whom and what is ignorant? You say “regarding the Rabbi in New York who was arrested. I do not condemn the congregation from going to that synagogue,” but that’s just what you do when it comes to the black church. Why aren’t those Jews who worship in that Rabbi’s synagogue and who was following his teachings just as ignorant as those who follow Moales? It appears both fall short of the glory of God!
I am a 62-year-old black man in America and I have met people like you my whole life who think you know what’s best for black folks all the while denigrating a whole race of people because they don’t see the world through your eyes. I don’t have a problem with what you say about Moales, but I do have a problem when you categorize black folks as being ignorant because they support their church and the fact they do indeed support their church is not an indication they support what their minister does or says when he isn’t on the pulpit of their church.
Finally you say “If you really want to defend Moales and intentionally misinterpret my comments regarding his comments, that’s your naiveté,” but the fact is I never defended Moales and I certainly didn’t misinterpret your comments that were clear and concise, and I quote “There is big money in your type of religion preying on the poor and ignorant.” How could anyone misinterpret that bigoted statement? Forgive me Steven, but give me a fucking break!
MR. DAY … I AM SORRY, I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW REPREHENSIBLE IT IS FOR REVEREND MOALES TO BORROW $8 million and not pay it back while claiming he is a millionaire. You’re a 62-year-old black man, that is your claim to fame. Your interpretation of my diatribe was an assault on the black community. The good news for me on Bridgeport is I count many of that community as friends. You are just plain ignorant, which brings me back to the supporters of Reverend Moales. I do not think any religious leadership is beyond reproach. Apparently you missed that. That’s okay Mr. Day, whatever your belief, G-d does understand those who are unenlightened. I believe you are such a man. Since you threw the black race card into the mix you are definitely part of the problem in our society. As far as Ernie Newton, G-d bless him. He will do what he must and the people will vote accordingly and one last thing Mr. Day. When you were complaining about a supermarket or lack of one in your neighborhood, I supported your issue, now perhaps the fever and Moales may want to be that one individual to invest, as opposed to his self-serving properties that only feather his nest.
Mr. Day … let me be clear again. I never said a race of people are ignorant nor have I insulted the black race nor have I even said black people. Get your facts straight. I care about all people. I do not feel I am a member of a superior race or religion (though I must admit I am grateful I was born a Jew), I am respectful of all people regardless of their heritage or belief. I do not wake up every day saying yay I’m white. Not all black people are poor. Not all black people live in Bridgeport. Not all black people admire or respect Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson. Not all black people are Christians, not all black people like Beyonce Knowles and not all black people believe Trayvon Martin was an angel. That being said Mr. Day, although I am sorry you took offense and deliberately misread and misunderstood my post, I do not believe you speak for all members of the black community or Mr. Moales’ congregation. You are so sure I do not have the best interest of the black community. You are wrong, I believe we are all in this together. In Bridgeport and all over the world. The sooner we realize it the better.
*** GOD DON’T LIKE UGLY REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY BENJAMINS ONE CLAIMS TO HAVE! ***
There you go Steven, first it was the members of Moales’ church and now I’m ignorant, according to you. Ignorant; lacking of knowledge or awareness in general, uneducated or unsophisticated. Steven, tell me how that definition fits the members of Moales’ church or me? The fact is you don’t know the members of his church or me, so you sure as hell don’t know whether either of us is ignorant. Now you on the other hand based on your last three posts, I can safely say you are purely an ignorant little man. The first thing ignorant people do, when the conversation gets too intellectual they resort to calling people names. If you can’t say amen say OUCH!
You say the fact my being a 62-year-old black man is my claim to fame, well that’s not so true you ignorant little man. Are you aware the City of Bridgeport gives preference point to Bridgeport residents for city jobs? Well, that’s mine! Yes, hard to believe my ignorant ass could come up with that which will benefit Bridgeport residents, irrespective of ethnicity, for years to come and a program that will help keep Bridgeport tax dollars in Bridgeport. I know you don’t believe that, but ask Bobby Walsh where did it come from. He’ll tell you I put it together and took it to Ed Gomes when he was on the city council and Ed said let Don Clemons, who was on the city council at the time present it to the city council and he and Bobby will see it through. I did, they did and it is now city law. All mine!
There’s a Supreme Court decision that came out in 2009, Ricci vs DeStafano that’s a discrimination case and in the dissenting opinion written by Justice Ruth Ginsburg, she sites me three times in the minority decision. Can I assume that adds to my claim to fame? Like I said you don’t know a damn thing about me so when you pontificate about someone’s claim to fame or whether someone is ignorant you need to find out the facts of your statements. Someone once said, “It is better to leave your mouth shut and let people think you are a damn fool, rather than open it and remove all doubt.” I’m done with you, little man. Be gone!
Donald Day, I understand when you got promoted to the rank of Captain you placed second on the Captain exam in the Bridgeport Fire Department and you did receive one of the department’s highest awards, is that correct because I see you didn’t mention anything about them?
Mr. Day, I can imagine your resume of accomplishments can go on forever. You are definitely a pillar in the Bridgeport community. This conversation was never about you. This conversation is not about the black community and this is not about churchgoing individuals. This is not about the followers of a poor, homeless Jewish rabbi who was a carpenter. THIS CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT REVEREND MOALES JR. POLITICAL ASS KISSER, BOE PRESIDENT, REAL ESTATE MOGUL, BORROWER OF 8 million dollars to feather his nest. This has nothing to do with his congregation. If you were looking for support from his congregants you would find them all saying he was not his father. Again I am glad I prompted you to respond to my comments. Even Ron Mackey made a comment about the Senior Moales, RIP … not one supporter of Moales Junior. Strange, no? Appalled, most likely. Mr. Day if I offended you, sorry, I am sure you will live to see another day and accomplish great things. I am not so sure you going to war on behalf of Moales and his reprehensible behavior was a divinely inspired war worth having. Especially with me.
Yes Mr. Mackey, I did place number two on the Captain’s exam and at the time it was the highest finish for a non-white on a promotional exam in the history of the Bridgeport Fire Department.
Also true Mr. Mackey; I did receive the Medal of Merit for heroism which is one of the highest awards in the Bridgeport Fire Department. Not bad for an ignorant man!
Steven, I thought you understood I concur with all your observations about Moales. I just found your characterization of his flock as poor and ignorant hurtful to my friends and others who attend his church. The reason race was bought into the equation was because his church is in the black community and his parishioners are primarily black so your statement of ignorance was meant for blacks. My hope was I would offer you a little insight from an Afrocentric perspective. Oftentimes we say thing and not fully understand the gravity of our statements and who they hurt. I could care less about Moales, who I think is replete with pomposity.
Then to you Mr. Day and your insight from an Afrocentric perspective, I apologize. My intention was not to insult the community who were members of his Church. Only the sycophant who leads them. There is not one community in Bridgeport that does not fascinate me. I am a Bridgeporter, the good, the bad and the ugly. Warts and all. I was however, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. Just thought I’d share.