
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991                   TAG: 9102240017
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

BAKKER IS FLIGHT RISK, PROSECUTORS CLAIM

Federal prosecutors oppose Jim Bakker's release from prison until the television evangelist can get a new sentence for defrauding followers who bought partnerships in a Christian theme park.

In a motion filed Friday in U.S. District Court, prosecutors argued that Bakker, whose 45-year prison term was thrown out Feb. 12 by a federal appeals court, had failed to demonstrate that he is not likely to jump bail.

They also argued that the PTL television ministry founder, imprisoned since shortly after his conviction in October 1989, poses a danger to the community of committing further fraud.

"To this day, Bakker has not accepted responsibility for the offenses he committed," the prosecutors wrote. "He refuses to acknowledge that he did anything wrong. Also, Bakker has never accounted for all the funds he received from PTL during the period of the fraudulent scheme." - Associated Press

by CNB