In the wake of guilty plea, the gospel/pop singer has been sentenced to 13 years for this role in a Ponzi scheme. Last year in October Winans plead guilty to scheming $8 million out of investors.
Winans, 30, tricked 11 people into investing money in crude oil bonds. According to court officials they feel Winans played on religion and took advantage of good people.
“That is very, very troubling to me. You used churches to perpetuate this fraud,” Judge Cox of U.S. District Court said.
“He used the church, the good reputation of the family to rob victims, ” Asst. U.S. Attorney Abed Hammond.
Victims of Winans Ponzi scheme also spoke out about their experience. Tina Hurt said marriages and relationships were destroyed because of this scheme. She said they experienced turmoil. Another victim named Charles Jackson Jr. said he confided and trusted Winans. He also said he received death threats.
“I feel so bad for him. I feel so bad for us,” Jackson said.