2 ‘Archbishops’ Charged by U.S. in Tax Scheme

Two former San Diego tax advisers who created a church and made themselves archbishops have been charged with income tax fraud for allegedly using the church as a phony tax shelter, U.S. Atty. Peter Nunez said Friday.

The men “ordained” at least 59 ministers who paid them a monthly fee and also set up church bank accounts to receive tax-deductible contributions.

The pair then used the accounts to pay for personal expenses, including hair transplants, prosecutors said. The “ministers” set up similar accounts for themselves and likewise used the money to pay for personal expenses, prosecutors said.

One of the men, Thomas J. Benzing, has pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the government and faces a possible prison sentence of five years and a fine of $250,000.

The other, John R. Bash, has pleaded innocent to a 67-count indictment charging him with aiding and abetting in the preparation of a false tax return, conspiracy to defraud the United States and failure to file a tax return.