Texas man pleads guilty to defrauding Albany church - Moultrie Observer

A Texas man defrauded an Albany church, swindling millions of dollars meant for repairs after Hurricane Michael severely damaged its facilities in 2018. Andrew Mitchell, also known as "Andrew Aga," 45, from Kemeh, Texas, pleaded guilty to mail fraud in a federal court. He faces up to 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a potential $1 million fine, with sentencing yet to be determined. Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker expressed dismay that someone would target a place of worship during such a challenging time for the community.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, located on Pine Avenue, was damaged by Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 hurricane that struck the region on October 10, 2018. Upon inspection, the church sustained damages estimated at over $216,000. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company began processing the church’s claims and issued a check for $183,207.89 on November 15, 2018, intended for partial repairs.

In November 2018, Mitchell, who misrepresented himself as a contractor linked to a national construction company, began discussions with Pastor Carl White and church officials to act as a public adjuster. Throughout the overlap of 2018 and 2022, he communicated with Brotherhood Mutual, submitting inflated claims totaling around $7.5 million. Subsequently, insurance payouts were made, including a check for over $3.3 million on July 10, 2019, followed by additional checks of $2.76 million and more than $500,000.

It was later revealed that the church’s name was forged on these checks, indicating their fraudulent nature. Despite the issuance of checks, the actual repair work done at the church was minimal. The construction firm involved had a contract valued at more than $18 million, yet the church paid only $150,000, while Mitchell disbursed $2.3 million before the funding ceased and work came to a halt.

The case highlights the profound betrayal of trust that occurred during a vulnerable time for the congregation, as they sought assistance for recovery from a devastating natural disaster. The investigation by the Georgia Insurance Commissioner's Office aimed to ensure Mitchell faced accountability for his actions against a community in need.