A televangelist who’s in federal prison for tax evasion is still seeking donations to his “ministry” through emails sent at least every other day.
In the last month, 20 separate emails have gone out to email subscribers of RockWealth International Ministries based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. RockWealth’s founder, William Todd Coontz, 55, is currently incarcerated at Pensacola Federal Prison Camp until June 2025, according to federal Bureau of Prisons records.
In the emails, Coontz urges supporters to “sow your seed” through donations to his ministry. He asks for donations of $100, $500, and even a $1,000 “millionaires receivers seed” — saying that “God Is Birthing Millionaires” and those donors can “Expect 3 Supernatural Harvests!”
The emails don’t mention Coontz’s conviction and imprisonment for failing to pay taxes and helping file false tax returns. He was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $750,000 in restitution, The Roys Report reported previously.
It’s unclear how Coontz is able to solicit the donations while imprisoned. A prisoner’s basic right to communicate with the outside world is protected, but courts have upheld various government restrictions on communications for security’s sake. And Pensacola FPC rules state “inmates may not operate or direct businesses while incarcerated.”
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Coontz’s convictions also stem from his use of RockWealthand his two for-profit companies to hide millions of dollars in taxable income. Among other tactics, authorities said he described several purchases as business assets when they were really personal items. These included seven luxury vehicles, a Regal 2500 boat, and a $1.5 million condo he called a parsonage.
Coontz is still prominent on websites for RockWealth and a church he founded, Dominion Family Worship Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Florida incorporation records for his business, Legacy Media Inc., also still list him as president.
The Roys Report reached out to Coontz and a public information officer for the Bureau of Prisons, but neither responded immediately.
Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas.
4 Responses
I’m curious, do these false teachers and prophets buy pre-owned bibles so that they look appropriately worn when used as “background props” on their “sets”?
I’m wondering whether the emails are now being sent by a spambot on autopilot.
Like the televangelist either switched on automatic or he has a bud outside the stony lonesome cranking out the spam.
Florida Televangelist Fraudster doesn’t narrow things down much at all; I had to read the story to see which of the many candidates it was.
Although I think Kent Hovind is out of jail now, while Benny Hinn and assorted others remain free.
Shysters like this have existed forever but advances in electronic communication have made it easier for them, Many Christians want to see the best in people and ignore obvious danger signals when they contribute to these “ministries”. There are even ministries that start out doing great work that over time evolve to where their primary mission is providing employment to the staff of that ministry. I’m not sure anything is ever going to change this and people just need to be more discerning concerning who or what organizations they support.