Three members of the Wingo family, founders of Angel Food Ministries, as well as a business associate, are facing charges of fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering following a grand jury investigation.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Friday, December 2, 2011
Updated 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2 According to several media outlets the Wingo family that founded a nationwide food distribution ministry face 49 federal charges including fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundry. Pastor Joe Wingo, his wife Linda, son Andy and a business associate, Harry Michaels, were indicted this week following a grand jury investigation. The Wingos were reportedly expected to turn themselves in to federal authorities in Macon today. According to Sue McKinney, a spokesperson with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Macon, the Wingos are scheduled to go before Federal Judge Charles Weigle at 2:30 p.m. Friday for a first appearance. The story first broke on The Walton Tribune Thursday evening when it was reported …
Angel Food Ministries - headquartered in Walton County - announced on its website Wednesday that the organization has shut down for good.
As was the case a couple of weeks ago when Angel Food Ministries announced it wouldn't be able to fulfil its September orders, a statement on the website Wednesday announced its final demise. "Angel Food Ministries has considered many options regarding our future. At this time we regret to inform you that we have not found a solution that will allow Angel Food Ministries to continue to distribute food on a monthly basis and have decided to cease operations. We realize the pressure that this places on our host sites, community food banks and customers," the statement read. It went on to note that a small group of former employees and food vendors were working to find a way to serve those who had come to rely on AFM during the 17 years of …
Ministry helps to provide affordable food.
Angel Food Ministries, a nonprofit group that provides food and financial help to communities throughout the United States, is helping families in the Snellville area buy food they can afford. Several churches in the area, including the Berean Christian Church which has locations in Snellville and Stone Mountain, have partnered with the ministry and are host sites for the program. “We have been with Angel Food Ministries for about three years,” said Erica Elder, coordinator for the program at Berean Christian Church. “Our church saw the ministry as an outreach. This was a way for us to partner with Angel Food Ministries and reach our community." Elder briefly explained how the program works. “A regular box of food costs $35 and feeds a …
