Wade indicted for theft against Lions Club
On October 2, 2024, the Journal- Sun reported that Richard Todd Wade, the former senior pastor at Cornerstone Assembly of God in Atlanta, Texas, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling funds from the local Lions Club. On January 3, 2025, Wade was indicted for the crime of Theft Against a Nonprofit Organization >= $2,500 but less than $30,000, Texas Penal Code 31.03(f), a third-degree felony. At the time of his arrest, it was unclear if he was accused of taking funds from any other organization. The Lion’s Club is still listed as the only organization in the indictment.
In the October 2 story, It was reported to the Jour- nal-Sun that he sent a letter to the club admitting the misappropriation of funds. It is unclear at this time if additional funds were taken from other organizations. The Journal-Sun is investigating and hopes to have a more detailed report in the coming weeks.
It was also reported then that the Cass County jail records and additional reports show that Wade “surrendered on September 18 following a warrant issued by the Texas Rangers for theft from a nonprofit organization. Wade, who served as the treasurer of the Atlanta Lions Club for several years, was released on a $10,000 bond.”
The Journal Sun received documents on February 10, that on January 3, Wade appeared before the District Court of Cass County, Fifth Judicial District of Texas, Honorable Bill Miller, Judge Presiding, Courtney Shelton, Criminal District Attorney, Jamie Alberttson, District Clerk.
“THE GRAND JURORS, duly selected, organized, sworn, and impaneled as such for the County of Cass, State of Texas, at the January Term 2025, of the Fifth Judicial District Court for said county upon their oaths present in and to said court that on or about the 5th day of August 2022, in the county and state aforesaid, and anterior to the presentment of this indictment, RICHARD TODD WADE, did then and there unlawfully appropriate, by acquiring or otherwise exercising control over, property, namely money, of the value of $2,500 or more but less than $30;000, from The Atlanta Texas Lions Club, the owner thereof, which was a nonprofit organization, without the effective consent of the owner, and with intent to deprive the owner of the property.”
An indictment by a grand jury is a formal accusation that there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges against someone. At this point, there has not been a conviction in the case.
In response to the indictment, Atlanta Lions Club Billy Hensley said, “Speaking for the club as President of the Atlanta Lions Club, we were devastated last year when we found out the Club’s funds were being misused. Two plus years raising money by our members to give five-thousand-dollar scholarships to seniors, glasses for students, Lions Camp, library, Boys State, and many more charitable activities and organizations were affected by this dark chapter in our eighty-five-year history.”