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VIA CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

A federal judge sentenced Charlotte pastors Anthony and Harriet Jinwright to prison late Thursday, after the couple who led Greater Salem church pleaded for leniency in their punishment for tax evasion.

Anthony Jinwright got eight years and nine months in prison, while Harriet Jinwright received six years and eight months. The couple must also pay the Internal Revenue Service more than $1million, plus $213,666 to the state. U.S. District Judge Frank Whitney acknowledged the couple had been generous and loving spiritual leaders, often paying tuitions, light bills and rent for hurting people.

“What’s troubling,” he said, “is what I will call the Robin Hood defense. It’s very easy to give away other people’s money.”

Whitney noted that he felt a sense of remorse from Harriet Jinwright, but not her husband.

“Bishop Jinwright is the definition of ‘good people can do bad things,'” he said.

The sentencing, which came about 10 p.m., capped a proceeding that ran more than 20 hours over two days as prosecutors and defense lawyers argued over how much time the pair should spend in prison.

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