Can members of the church sue the pastor to recover legal expenses?
Full Question:
Answer:
Typically, the authorized uses of church funds is governed by a document, such as a charter, and the bylaws it contains. Specific expenditures are often required to be approved by board members in a resolution that is recorded in meeting minutes. It may be possible to recover funds if they were not authorized to be spent for the legal fees involved.The answer will depend on whether the applicable rules and procedures were followed regarding the expenditures for legal fees. In some cases, an entity will not pay for the legal defense of a member if the actions complained of were outside the scope of the member's authority, such as personal criminal wrongdoing. I suggest you consult with your attorney, who can review all the facts and documents involved.