STONY POINT, N.C. — A Stony Point pastor has been arrested on 13 felonies and accused of stealing about $23,000 in an insurance scam.
The Rev. Chuck Hager said the charges against him are false.
“We’re going to fight it in court,” he said. “With God, all things are possible. I do not intend to spend one day in jail – with God’s help.
Hager, 47, serves as pastor of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship in Stony Point. The church is a low white building whose interior was renovated to house a sanctuary and classrooms. The non-denominational church has about 50 members.
http://liarcatchers.com/insurance_fraud.html
While serving as pastor, Hager worked at May’s Meats in Taylorsville. The AFLAC insurance company contacted the North Carolina Department of Insurance and reported that Hager had filed a fraudulent disability claim while continuing to work full time. The company said Hager committed the fraud from December through May.
He is accused of, “submitting a fraudulently signed disability claim form in support of a disability claim when in fact his employer did not sign the disability claim form and the defendant was not on disability leave,” according to the warrant.
Hager is accused of filing false paperwork seven times and that resulted in his receiving six checks. He was charged with seven counts of insurance fraud and six counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.
Hager came to the door of his brick home wearing a bright T-shirt and blue gym shorts. His daughters played in the family pool while he spoke.
Hager said he was floored when he was charged.
“I was absolutely surprised – I had no idea – I thought it was a dead issue,” he said.
He wanted his congregation to hear the news from him so he told his flock he’d been arrested when he was charged on May 22. His members have stood by his side.
“We will not abandon our pastor,” said church member Angie Deal. “We’re here for him and his family any time day or night.”
Hager said he feels he has been singled out in the media because he is a pastor, but the support from his members is keeping his spirits high.
“It makes me feel wonderful,” he said. “I have the best congregation in the world.”
Hager is also leaning on his faith for support – especially Psalms 119:87. “They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.”
Hager’s next court date is scheduled for Monday.
