Gospel for Asia, Inc., Founder Facing Class Action over RICO Violations

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A proposed class action filed in Arkansas alleges defendants Gospel for Asia, Inc., Gospel for Asia-International, the organizations’ founder, K.P. Yohannan, and four other individuals violated the federal Racketeer Influences and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by using their Christian organization as a front to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from donors.

“Soliciting charitable donations to benefit the poorest of the poor while covertly diverting the money to a multi-million-dollar personal empire is reprehensible; using a Christian organization as a front to attract and exploit the goodwill and generosity of devout Christians is a particularly vile scheme,” the lawsuit scathes. “But this is exactly what K.P. Yohannan and the organization he controls—Gospel for Asia, Inc.—have been getting away with for years.”

The 43-page complaint specifically alleges that the defendants used the stolen funds to “buy and run for-profit businesses; to build an expensive, secluded headquarters and personal residences; to sponsor and international sports team; and to speculate in financial markets.”

In addition to the organization itself and its founder, Gospel for Asia’s vice president, chief financial officer, Canadian affiliate director, and Yohannan’s wife are also named as defendants.