Hindu Priest Who Ran Scam Temple Didn’t Commit Bankruptcy Fraud

The bankruptcy fraud conviction of a self-described Hindu priest who ran a scam temple was tossed by the Eleventh Circuit.

Payments to the second temple Annamalai Annamalai opened after his first temple filed for bankruptcy protection weren’t part of the bankruptcy estate, the opinion by Judge Adelberto Jordan said.

Annamalai opened the Hindu Temple and Community Center of Georgia Inc., which charged for its religious and spiritual services and products. Followers paid Annamalai with credit cards and he then charged more than authorized so he could live a lavish lifestyle.

To avoid detection, Annamalai submitted false documents to his followers’ ...