Tulsa Pastor charged with embezzling over $900,000 from community center

Pastor Willard Lenord Jones accused of using donations to purchase luxury items

TULSA- Jones, Church pastor and former Executive Director of the Greater Cornerstone Community Development Project, was charged Wednesday with three counts of wire fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return by criminal information.

The Greater Cornerstone Community Development Project is a non-profit organization formed to raise money for the building and operation of a community center for low-income families in South Haven of West Tulsa.

As the Executive Director, Jones oversaw the design, construction and fundraising for building the Community Center. Jones solicited monetary contributions from donors, including, foundations, corporations, churches and individuals, to fund the development project.

Jones was recognized by Northeastern State University as Outstanding alumni back in 2013 and in 2011 was named one of "25 People Making a Difference" by Tulsa People Magazine for his community efforts.

Instead of paying for construction operating costs, Jones has been charged with spending the money on hotels, restaurants, casinos, liquor, automobiles, a Rolex watch and a mink coat.

More information here.