Florida pastor finishes prison term and plans to head straight to the pulpit
St. Petersburg, Florida-AP -- He's been behind bars for four years but one of the first things the Reverend Henry Lyons plans to do today when he's released is get back on the pulpit. Lyons expects to be rededicated by other ministers and then preach a sermon at a Baptist church in Lakeland, Florida. He's been in prison for grand theft and racketeering. Lyons says his downfall was caused by his attraction to a wealthy lifestyle and he is now a changed man.
His fall from grace began when his wife set a fire at a home he secretly bought with his mistress.
The resulting investigation revealed a lavish lifestyle financed through his leadership role as president of the National Baptist Convention. Officials estimate Lyons took about four-(m) million dollars to buy luxury homes and jewelry and to support his mistresses.
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