SD Pastor sentenced for fraud and tax evasion

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A San Diego resident who used his position as a pastor to bilk a man out of nearly $12.9 million and failed to pay taxes for three years was sentenced today to 6 1/2 years in federal prison.

Brian Keith Tomlinson, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to wire fraud and tax evasion, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge James Lorenz to make complete restitution to the fraud victim.

Tomlinson admitted that between 1999 and 2003, he induced the man to provide him with money for investments in a telephone switch and African gold mines by making false promises of security on two properties, but the victim never received any return, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Stone said the 49-year-old defendant was involved in a variety of activities as a pastor and “used his position as a religious man” to defraud the victim, who lived on the East Coast.

Court documents showed that Tomlinson spent the money on a house, renovations on the property and expensive vehicles.

He also admitted that he failed to pay taxes for three years, beginning in 2001.

An Internet search found little about Tomlinson other than a possible connection to a small and likely defunct television ministry.