Georgia: Pardon? or No Pardon?

Pastor Onslow D. Ross (aka "Chief Apostle") of the Reaching Souls Cathedral of Praise Apostolic Church (Macon) is looking at the possibility of more than 60 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines after being found guilty on 54 (of 56) counts related to the misuse of a $389,000 insurance check. A church musician says the federal government "is grossly attacking a pastor from the same religion as the one on which this country was founded." While a jury found problems with Ross's purchases of clothing for himself and church officials, luxury cars and electronic equipment, another church member says, "If you don't deal with mega ministry-minded people, you won't understand what we do." Ross's attorney also complained about the fact that, at trial, the government had the tendency to dwell on the pastor's criminal history, which included prison time for forgery, drug possession and credit card fraud. The church musician also claims that Ross was "fully pardoned," but the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles had no record of a clemency warrant for the minister. See full story here and here.