Two MidMichigan churches are among dozens in the state and more than 150 in the country allegedly scammed by a Ponzi scheme.
Attorney General Mike Cox says two smooth-talking salesmen from Maryland convinced urban pastors to install kiosks into their churches.
The pastors were told the kiosks were provided by a national sponsor and that they didn't need to pay for them.
They would make money from the kiosks with national and local advertisements.
Then, the company told the pastors to pay nearly $40,000 for the systems.
Pastor Hurley J. Coleman of the Greater Coleman Temple Church of God in Christ in Saginaw says, "Our whole mission in life as a pastor is to use our attitude of faith to believe in people, to help people, and the way this came to us was, here's a charitable effort, someone's going to give so that you can help minister."
Pastor Hurley J. Coleman Junior says that's not what happened.
He says, he's glad this scheme has been exposed, and that healing can now begin.
New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church in Flint was also targeted.
