First AME Split Over Leadership

First A.M.E.'s congregation is split over the leadership of the Rev. John J. Hunter, who replaced the Rev. Chip Murray in 2004.

Hunter has been accused of using church credit cards to run up some $122,000 in personal charges, nepotism and failing to pay his income taxes, but some members of the influential, predominately black church see Hunter bringing a more balanced approach to the pulpit, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Clarence Daniels told The Times he nearly left the church under Murray, because the former church leader placed too much emphasis on politics and civic activism.

Hunter, in an interview with The Times, said he was proud of his work in adding church members and leading First A.M.E.'s extensive business ventures.

The church's affiliated nonprofit corporations have brought in $4 million in new grants. And the church recently joined a $50 million deal that Hunter says could help revitalize the congregation's West Adams neighborhood and bring in income for decades to come.

"It's amazing what we've accomplished," Hunter, 52, told the newspaper. "The overwhelming majority of people are pleased with our direction."

When Hunter left his Seattle church to come to Los Angeles, allegations that he misused church credit cards followed him. The church treasurer in Seattle denied those allegations, but soon Hunter was being scrutinized for his spending here.

In December, Hunter acknowledged using First AME's credit card for $122,000 in personal expenditures on items including suits, jewelry, vacations and auto supplies. He has since apologized and is paying the money back.

More than a dozen current and former church officers, missionaries and volunteers who say they once supported Hunter have accused him of "gross financial maladministration'' and asked the denomination's regional authority, Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, to remove him, wife Denise and six executive officers.

In a July 11 document, the group asked for an outside financial audit, which accused Hunter of misusing church credit cards, mismanaging his personal finances by failing to pay his federal taxes and showing nepotism by hiring his wife to run FAME Assistance Corp., the church's nonprofit economic development arm, and other affiliated social services corporations, The Times reported.

"We tried to give him the benefit of the doubt and work with him," said Carolyn Milligan-Hills, a 20-year church member, trustee and missionary who signed the appeal for Hunter's removal. "But it is time for us to get our church back."

Kirkland, responding to letter asking for Hunter's removal, endorsed the pastor.

"Currently, I am satisfied with the direction in which the church is going, and Pastor Hunter has my support," he wrote.

Critics also are troubled by the appearance of a conflict of interest over two business loans involving FAME Assistance Corp. and Randolph C. Dillon, the husband of Irma Brown Dillon,   a top church officer and Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.

The Hunters also owe about $32,000 in county taxes on their $2 million home in Encino.

Supporters say it would be tough for anyone following Murray.

In his 27 years at First AME, Murray turned a small congregation into a civic powerhouse that built 2,000 units of low-income housing, provided thousands of jobs, expanded feeding programs, educated youths with college scholarships and rallied members police abuse, gang warfare, the AIDS crisis and other social issues.

Murray rubbed shoulders with the likes of President Clinton and entertainers Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

Melville Perry, a longtime church officer, said it also took Murray several years to ride out initial criticism over his changes in the church.

"There are a lot of us proud of our church and of Rev. Hunter," he said.
 

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