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St. Petersburg Times; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Jun 3, 2003; Jeff
Testerman, Abstract: Clark's move was in response to a request
by his wife, Belinda Clark, that a judge prevent the sale of
the $5-million church property on Interstate 4 in Hillsborough
County. Based on a purported call from [Ronald Clark] to his
sister, Mrs. Clark says in court papers that her husband has
a secret plan to sell the church, place the proceeds in a trust
and leave the country.
Co-founders of the Living Water Church of Tampa 15 years ago,
Ronald and Belinda Clark are now mired in a rancorous divorce
that threatens the future of the nondenominational Christian
church. Mrs. Clark has taken the unusual action of asking that
the church be declared a marital asset so that she can share
in the distribution of its proceeds.
Until fired from her pastoral position three months ago, Mrs.
Clark was paid $70,000 annually. Ronald Clark last year received
a salary of $68,000 and a housing allowance of $70,000.
Full Text:
Copyright Times Publishing Co. Jun 3, 2003
Living Water Church pastor Ronald Clark agreed to surrender his
passport to his attorney Monday to allay fears that he intends
to take church assets and leave the country.
Clark's move was in response to a request by his wife, Belinda
Clark, that a judge prevent the sale of the $5-million church
property on Interstate 4 in Hillsborough County. Based on a purported
call from Ronald Clark to his sister, Mrs. Clark says in court
papers that her husband has a secret plan to sell the church,
place the proceeds in a trust and leave the country.
Co-founders of the Living Water Church of Tampa 15 years ago,
Ronald and Belinda Clark are now mired in a rancorous divorce
that threatens the future of the nondenominational Christian
church. Mrs. Clark has taken the unusual action of asking that
the church be declared a marital asset so that she can share
in the distribution of its proceeds.
On a financial affidavit, Mrs. Clark has listed as an asset the
couple's interest in the Living Water Church and Ron Clark Ministries,
a related nonprofit, but says she is uncertain of its value.
Arnold Levine, Ronald Clark's attorney, said Monday that the
church was actually purchased with the funds of church members
through a church bond. His conclusion: Neither of the Clarks
can own any of the Living Water Church corporation.
To deflect the move to freeze church assets, Levine offered for
his client to give up his passport, a suggestion adopted by Family
Law Judge Linda Babb.
"(Ronald Clark) has no intention of leaving the country,"
Levine told Babb. "My client isn't going anywhere."
The divorce proceeding promises to provide a rare glimpse into
the finances of the Living Water Church, which, as a nonprofit
religious institution, is not required to file a tax return nor
make other public disclosure.
Until fired from her pastoral position three months ago, Mrs.
Clark was paid $70,000 annually. Ronald Clark last year received
a salary of $68,000 and a housing allowance of $70,000.
That allowed the couple to own an estate on Fort King Road in
Dade City valued at $500,000, according to Mrs. Clark's financial
affidavit. Records show the couple took out $450,000 in mortgages
on the 3,618-square-foot home and horse farm a year ago. The
couple also own a second home in Celebration worth $275,000.
Monday, Levine said the bitter divorce was damaging church finances,
causing many members to seek religious guidance elsewhere. He
indicated Ronald Clark had not drawn a paycheck in weeks.
"The church has started losing its contributions,"
Levine said. "The reason there's a question about the sale
of the church now is that there's a question about whether they
can make their mortgage payment."
Mrs. Clark claims she had no Social Security deductions from
her paychecks for 10 years nor any Social Security contributions
from the church. She says she was told by her husband that a
retirement account was set up for her in lieu of those payments,
and that it had grown to $300,000. But Mrs. Clark says she has
not seen that money and believes it was used for the acquisition
of church assets.
Mrs. Clark, through attorney Jack Hoogewind, has asked for an
accounting for that retirement fund, as well as for details of
all church loans to Ronald Clark.
Judge Babb deferred any ruling on freezing church assets. In
the meantime, she clarified a previous order forbidding either
of the Clarks or their attorneys from speaking to the media.
Clark's previous attorney, Dennis Alfonso, had initially asked
for that restraint, saying publicity might harm the Living Water
Church.
Judge Babb said she was more concerned about a divorce spectacle
hurting the Clarks' two children.
"I believe this is a private matter," she said.
Jeff Testerman can be reached at 226-3422 or by e-mail at testerman@sptimes.
Ron Clark, Rodney Howard Browne and Randy White were originally
the three musketeers in Florida, very close friends who supported
each other as they were just starting their ministries and were
close friends of Pastor Karl Strader. Rodney lost his 17 yr old
daughter last year. Randy White is having problems with Karl
Strader. And Ron is having problems with his wife.
- [ Source: From: wally_duncaster@hotmail.com (Wally Duncaster)
]
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