TAMPA - Benny Hinn of World Healing Center Church has become the third evangelist to submit documents relating to a U.S. senator's financial inquiry.
Hinn is one of six Christian ministries queried by the ranking member of the Senate finance committee. Among the others are Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries, both founded in Tampa by Paula and Randy White.
Hinn's representatives provided a "significant amount of written material," according to a statement issued Monday by the office of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. The staff has yet to evaluate whether the materials satisfies questions regarding possible violations of Hinn's tax-exempt status, but is "encouraged by the demonstration of cooperation."
Grassley made detailed requests for specific information to the ministries on Nov. 5, setting a deadline of Dec. 6. Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries has cooperated. Kenneth Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries gave a response that is "far short of answering the questions," according to the Grassley statement.
Those who have not provided information are the Whites, Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International and Eddie L. Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
The Whites were contacted for a comment about Hinn's decision to comply, but did not respond by press time.
Investigators for the Grassley inquiry say they are keeping open the lines of communication with the ministries that aren't cooperating. This month, Grassley indicated he is working on follow-up letters to them.
"I don't intend to give up and go away," he said. "I work on oversight projects until I get answers and results."
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