(RNS) — Former associates of the evangelical Christian musician Sean Feucht are accusing the COVID-19 closure critic and prominent supporter of President Donald Trump of “potential financial crimes” as former staffers say they experienced “spiritual, emotional, and psychological abuse” under his leadership.
Over the weekend, a website titled “Truth and Freedom Stories” filled with written and video testimonies appeared, on which former staffers and associates, many of them making their names public, raised questions about Feucht’s leadership.
Musician Sean Feucht performs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (RNS photo/Jack Jenkins)
A once obscure evangelical worship music leader, Feucht achieved fame during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic for his “Let Us Worship” concerts protesting pandemic restrictions on churches. He ran for Congress from California in 2020 but lost in the primary, but has since forged political connections in Washington, boasting about ties to conservative insiders and right-wing lawmakers such as U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert. He has also emerged as an evangelical leader in Trump’s orbit, having hosted multiple worship services in the White House and at Mar-a-Lago.
But the former staffers on the “Truth and Freedom Stories” website allege that amid his rise Feucht used business credit cards for personal expenses on multiple occasions, failed to pay staff minimum wage, and may have used donations to invest in personal properties. They also say he falsely reported on tax forms that two of his nonprofits, Sean Feucht Ministries and Light a Candle, have no volunteers.
The former staffers identify at least six properties owned by Feucht’s organizations or Feucht himself. Among them is “Camp Elah,” a town house near the U.S. Capitol that the former staffers say is classified as a “parsonage,” despite reports that people are often not present on the property. The staffers say Feucht recently sold a property in California for $1.7 million, which “suggests a degree of personal wealth.”
“We submit that the members of Mr. Feucht’s board have potentially failed in their fiduciary duty to exercise appropriate oversight and evaluation of Mr. Feucht’s conduct,” reads a section of the website. “Furthermore, evidence indicates that Mr. Feucht has not responded adequately — or in good faith — to multiple concerns raised by employees and volunteers.”
The new “Truth and Freedom Stories” website. (Screen grab)
Feucht did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations, nor does he appear to have responded on his various social media platforms.
The website includes testimonials alleging that Feucht attacked his internal critics, often subjecting them to “character assassination, public humiliation, or false accusations about their faith,” while creating “an environment where absolute loyalty was demanded, with severe social and spiritual consequences for those who dissented.”
In addition, the former staffers accuse him of pressuring pastors to give him more money when he didn’t see their offerings as good enough.
“These testimonies reveal consistent patterns of manipulation, exploitation, and harmful leadership practices that have caused significant personal damage to those involved,” the website reads.
In the past, Feucht has been accused of supporting extremists who provided security at events where he performed, including people charged for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. His various “Let Us Worship” events have also sparked criticism and counterprotests, including from faith leaders.
