Bishop Powell Admits to Church Property Fraud

OAKLAND – Staccato Powell, 65, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, a former bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (“AME Zion”), admitted in federal court today to a brazen scheme to defraud congregations across California. Powell pleaded guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud – a far-reaching plot to seize control of church properties through lies, forged documents, and outright deception.

The indictment, handed down in January 2022, alongside co-defendant Sheila Quintana, detailed how Powell systematically manipulated local churches within the AME Zion’s Western Episcopal District. Quintana previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud in April 2025. The pair allegedly exploited the trust placed in their leadership positions to line their own pockets and expand their influence.

According to court documents, shortly after assuming the role of bishop in 2016, Powell established Western Episcopal District, Inc. (WED, Inc.). He served as CEO, with Quintana as CFO from 2017-2019. Powell then directed pastors to sign over deeds granting WED, Inc. ownership of their church buildings, outbuildings, parking lots, and even pastor residences. This transfer of assets formed the foundation of the fraudulent scheme.

The operation escalated in early 2017 when Powell instructed Quintana and others to secure loans using the newly acquired church properties as collateral. When lenders requested verification of the churches’ authorization, Powell allegedly fabricated resolutions, falsely claiming church approval of the loans. In multiple instances, Quintana, acting on Powell’s orders, drafted and signed these bogus resolutions, impersonating church officials and fabricating board meetings that never occurred. Two specific examples highlight the depth of the deception: Kyles Temple in Vallejo and First AME Zion Church in San Jose.

At Kyles Temple in Vallejo, Powell and Quintana orchestrated a scheme to finance a $1.5 million episcopal residence in Granite Bay, securing $1 million through a bank loan and an additional $500,000 using Kyles Temple as collateral. Quintana forged a resolution, drafted at Powell’s direction, falsely confirming the congregation’s approval. Similarly, First AME Zion Church in San Jose was targeted, its property leveraged to fund a new parsonage purchase. Quintana, again under Powell’s direction, prepared a false resolution claiming a church membership vote approving the transfer of property as collateral.

Powell’s guilty plea marks a significant development in the case, but the full extent of the financial damage and the number of affected congregations remains under investigation. Sentencing details for Powell and Quintana have not yet been announced, but federal prosecutors are expected to seek substantial penalties for their betrayal of trust and calculated fraud. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.