Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Churches Say it was a Scam

Two dozen Michigan churches say they were tricked into signing leasing contracts for video terminals for interactive educational systems. Seven of those churches have filed a lawsuit against United Leasing of Waukesha, Wisconsin for $700,000. Also named in the suit: Television Broadcasting Online and the Urban Interfaith Network.

The churches agreed to put the kiosks in their buildings so parishioners could get information from the Internet and the church’s website. Pastors of the churches claim they were told the terminals were free and promised monthly revenue from commercial sponsorships. But sponsors never materialized. And some of the churches say United Leasing took thousands of dollars out of their accounts without permission.

United Leasing itself has already filed a suit against 39 churches in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The company claims these predominantly urban congregations owe nearly one-and-a-half-million dollars.

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