Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard Announces
Conviction of Mark & Lisa Jackson

Church Pastors Plead Guilty to Bilking Members of Nearly $1 million

Atlanta-Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that Mark Jackson (43) and his wife Lisa Jackson (45) have pleaded guilty to numerous felony counts involving the theft of nearly $1 million from members of their church, the Better Covenant Christian Center. Mark Jackson pleaded to 29 counts, including violation of the Georgia racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act and theft by taking. Lisa Jackson pleaded guilty to 17 counts, including violation of the Georgia racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act and theft by taking. He was sentenced to 25 years, 10 of which are to be served in prison. She was sentenced to 10 years, six of which are to be served in prison. Among other conditions, the couple must make restitution of over $1 million and may not hold any position of trust, including as a pastor or minister, while on probation, nor may they work in the asset management or financial management field during that time.

From 1995 through 1998, using a repeated pattern of deception, the couple convinced the nine victims-most of whom were members of their church-to "invest" money in a number of business ventures, promising tremendous returns. They also used their influence to convince members to secure credit cards for their use as well as an expensive home in north Fulton's Country Club of the South community. The money provided by the victims was then put to personal use by the defendants.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by the District Attorney's White Collar Crime Unit with tremendous assistance from both the Georgia Secretary of State's Office and the GBI. Judge Gino Brogdon presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404-224-0560 (office); 404-533-1381 (pager)