The Rev. Henry Lyons Headed To Prison
Henry Lyons sentenced to 5 1/2 years for swindling more than $4 million LARGO, Fla. Mar. 31. — Sobbing as he pleaded for mercy, the Rev. Henry Lyons was sentenced to 5½ years in prison Wednesday for swindling more than $4 million while president of one of the nation’s largest and most influential black denominations. The 57-year-old minister was also ordered to repay almost $2.5 million.
‘It stinks in God’s nostrils and I know it stinks in the law’s nostrils and it stinks to me.’
— THE REV. HENRY LYONS“I CANNOT SHAKE the feeling that I have let so many people down,” Lyons told Circuit Judge Susan Schaeffer.
Lyons was convicted Feb. 27 of bilking companies wanting to sell cemetery products, life insurance policies and credit cards to members of the National Baptist Convention USA. He was also found guilty of stealing funds donated to rebuild burned Southern black churches.
Lyons and his alleged mistress, convention publicist Bernice Edwards, were accused of spending the money on luxury homes, cars, jewelry and travel.
The judge ordered him off to prison immediately, rather than allowing him to remain free until his sentencing in federal court in June on related charges of fraud and tax evasion.
He could have gotten up to eight years in prison under state sentencing guidelines.
Lyons apologized particularly for the theft of almost $250,000 from the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, money intended to rebuild burned churches.
“It stinks in God’s nostrils and I know it stinks in the law’s nostrils and it stinks to me,” he said. “I’ve asked God every single night and day to forgive me for that. And I ask the court and I ask America and I ask black people to forgive me because I believe that it will haunt me the rest of my life. I really do,” he said, crying.
“I ask for mercy,” Lyons said, breaking into sobs.
Among those who spoke on Lyons’ behalf was his wife, Deborah.
“I love my husband very much. We have been through some rough times together,” she told the judge. “If you can find it in your heart, look not at Dr. Lyons in the last three or four years but look at the good he brings.”
Lyons’ troubles began in 1997 when his wife set fire to a $700,000 waterfront home he owned with Edwards. The fire led to closer scrutiny of Lyons’ lavish spending.
Lyons, pastor of a St. Petersburg church, served as president of the National Baptist Convention from 1994 until he tearfully resigned that post on March 16, a few weeks after he was convicted.
The next day, he avoided a second trial by pleading guilty in federal court to evading taxes, engaging in fraudulent activities and lying to officials — charges that also grew out of convention business dealings.
Edwards went on trial with Lyons but was acquitted. However, she pleaded guilty in federal court to tax evasion and is awaiting sentencing on Sept. 13.
Lyons’ sentencing in federal court is set for June 18. His lawyers said that under sentencing guidelines, he will probably serve five to 7½ years.
March 31, 1999
Source: Newswire
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