Televangelist Rev. Marcus Lamb has become the latest preacher to publicly admit to having an affair. However, this disclosure came with an allegation of extortion. Lamb appeared with his wife, Joni Lamb, to admit to an affair on this show “Celebration” and alleged that three people had demanded $7.5 million or they would reveal the affair.
The disclosure came on the couple’s website of Daystar Television Network. On the show, he stated “They’re trying to take our pain and turn it to their gain . . . We’re not going to take God’s money to keep from being humiliated.”
Lamb says that he went to the police with the extortion claim.
The ministry appears to be based in Georgia. Here is the extortion statute that applies in Georgia:
O.C.G.A. § 16-8-16 (2010)
§ 16-8-16. Theft by extortion
(a) A person commits the offense of theft by extortion when he unlawfully obtains property of or from another person by threatening to:
(1) Inflict bodily injury on anyone or commit any other criminal offense;
(2) Accuse anyone of a criminal offense;
(3) Disseminate any information tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule or to impair his credit or business repute;
(4) Take or withhold action as a public official or cause an official to take or withhold action;
(5) Bring about or continue a strike, boycott, or other collective unofficial action if the property is not demanded or received for the benefit of the group in whose interest the actor purports to act; or
(6) Testify or provide information or withhold testimony or information with respect to another’s legal claim or defense.
(b) In a prosecution under this Code section, the crime shall be considered as having been committed in the county in which the threat was made or received or in the county in which the property was unlawfully obtained.
(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution based on paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (6) of subsection (a) of this Code section that the property obtained by threat of accusation, exposure, legal action, or other invocation of official action was honestly claimed as restitution or indemnification for harm done in the circumstance to which such accusation, exposure, legal action, or other official action relates or as compensation for property or lawful services.
(d) A person convicted of the offense of theft by extortion shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years.
HISTORY: Code 1933, § 26-1804, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 1249, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6, § 16.
Option 3 would appear the relevant provision: “Disseminate any information tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule or to impair his credit or business repute.” Notably, however, adultery is still a crime in Georgia (as raised in option 2). Pursuant to § 16-6-19: “A married person commits the offense of adultery when he voluntarily has sexual intercourse with a person other than his spouse and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as for a misdemeanor.” I have previously written about such adultery laws and how they are presumptively unconstitutional (see also here).
According to his bio, he and his wife live in Dallas. It appears that extortion is simply folded into the theft provision in that state.
If the allegation is true, an extortion charge would appear warranted. None of this, of course, relieves Lamb of the hypocrisy of lecturing people on morality while a practicing adulterer.
There is even a song that goes with this inglorious moment called Now Behold the Lamb of God:
Now behold the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
Born into sin that I may live again
He’s the precious Lamb of GodWhen I always didn’t do right
I went left, He told me to go right
But I’m standing right here
in the midst of my tears, Lord
I claim You to be the Lamb of God
Source: CNN and Clarion Ledger
Jonathan Turley
Nothing “unmerciful” about pointing out the hypocrisy of those who hold themselves up as moral teachers, full of advice about what we must do and believe in order to be “saved.”
None of us are casting stones. We’re just showing how they are full of admonitions, that they themselves don’t really believe.
Our “stones” will not kill them, many of their followers will continue to follow them and write fat checks to support them in their opulent lifestyles.
Just look at Jimmy Swaggert, Benny Hinn, and those other religious Top Bananas.
I dont understand why you guys can be so mean and so unmerciful!!!
Dont we have people with at least a little bit of sympathy???
No one is perfect! If you are, cast the first stone!!
Be merciful to other so you’ll receive mercy!!!
lottakatz:
Your point @ December 3, 2010 at 12:24 am is non sequitur.
Besides that, I don’t owe first responders to 911 anything. I don’t owe them a dime. I’m not a New Yorker (the only people this should concern). You can send them all your money. Just do it and stop whining to me about it.
Cops and police have fabulous medical care and more fabulous retirement and benefits packages than most average people like myself who freaking have NO SUCH THINGS. They know the risk of the jobs they take and are willingly take them on especially knowing they have such luxuries awaiting them down the line.
If these people were forced to do their jobs, I would change my mind (if I was a New Yorker).
The most dangerous job in America is lumberjacking (last time I checked). Oops, I guess the fishermen are now first (Sarah Palin’s family business is fishing, by-the-way).
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2010-3#no-1-fishers-and-related-fishing-workers-15
Yet these people also freely choose to work in those careers. I don’t see you wringing your hands for them though I would guess that your life greatly depends on what they (lumberjacks and fishermen) do. I’ve never needed a cop or a fireman, but I survive day in and day out because of my wooden house. And pardon me for eating a tuna sandwich.
Enough of the whining. It is so old and so trivial.
Government workers are plundering the American people whether their jobs are dangerous or not. They get enough of everything already. If first responders were really at a greater risk than others who don’t have the same benefits people wouldn’t continue to fight and compete with others about getting those jobs. But people clamor to take them and the unions even see to it that the supply of workers is lower so the wages are higher.
This is because the jobs have similar or less risk that others but have far more financial reward now and in the future.
Blouise,
Hope all goes well tomorrow. You’ve been in my thoughts…
Yes. Sleep. Ahhhh….
anon nurse,
AY taught me the shades trick
Tomorrow is the prep work … what a pain
Time for bed!
Blouise,
I don’t know how that smile with the shades ended up in my comment…
Now I get it… I typed ( off at 8 ), but without the spaces… Well, given my current state, guess it’s appropriate.