Miami, Florida – A Florida pastor from Greater Sweetfield Missionary Baptist Church in Miami’s Coconut Grove is facing criminal charges for allegedly collecting Social Security entitlements belonging to a deceased individual for more than a decade.
The pastor, Michael Gene Bryant, is accused of theft of government funds and making false statements to a federal agency after he continued to claim and utilize the Social Security benefits of his deceased friend following their passing in October 2012.
Court documents reveal that Bryant was appointed to manage the deceased individual’s Social Security funds in the mid-90s but failed to report the person’s death to the Social Security Administration, subsequently continuing to receive and spend the payments.
Authorities claim that Bryant knowingly diverted the deceased person’s Social Security payments for personal use, failing to use the funds for the intended beneficiary.
The indictment also accuses Bryant of providing false information to the Social Security Administration on multiple occasions, claiming to have spent the funds on various necessities for the deceased individual, despite knowing they had passed away.
If convicted, Bryant could face up to 20 years in prison for the federal criminal charges brought against him, including theft of government funds and making false statements to a government agency.
The community, including former parishioners, expressed shock and disbelief at the allegations, emphasizing the importance of trust in religious leaders and the impact of such actions on the church community.
The case highlights the significance of accountability and ethical conduct, especially in positions of authority such as that of a pastor, and underscores the consequences of misusing public funds.