ALABAMA SECURITIES COMMISSION
770 WASHINGTON AVE, SUITE 570
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130-4700
Telephone: (334) 242-2984 or 1-800-222-1253. Fax:
(334) 242-0240
Email: asc@asc.state.al.us. Website:
www.asc.state.al.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA (August 15,
2003) - Honorable Randall Houston, District Attorney for the Nineteenth
Judicial Circuit, Honorable Joseph P. Borg, Director of the Alabama Securities
Commission and Prattville Police Chief Alfred W. Wadsworth announce today that Elaine
Jenkins Turner pled guilty before the Honorable Ben Fuller, Circuit Judge, to
charges surrounding financial activities involving the proposed expansion of
the former Daystar Assembly of God located in Prattville, Alabama. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for
September 11, 2003.
Elaine Jenkins Turner pled
guilty to two counts of theft of property in the first degree and could face
anywhere from 2-40 years imprisonment.
Turner was ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution to the victims.
Of the nine people indicted
by an Autauga County, Grand Jury, Mark Steven Cooper and April Sunday Rutledge
Cooper are in prison. Nancilu
Carpenter, Donald Cayton, Leonard Miller, William Till and Kelly Vickers pled guilty
to charges on July 24, 2003 and will be sentenced September 11, 2003. A trial for David Wayne Gordon is scheduled
for August 18, 2003.
The Alabama Securities
Commission Enforcement Division opened its investigation in the Daystar matter
in July, 2001. The investigation
revealed the alleged misappropriation of funds raised by Daystar Assembly of
God Church in the sale of certificates of deposit and loans proceeds for
development of the church by Mark Stephen Cooper, Elaine Jenkins Turner, Donald
Cayton, Leonard Miller, William Till, April Sunday Rutledge Cooper and Kelly
Vickers. The investigation further
showed alleged fraud perpetrated by these individuals as well as Nancilu
Carpenter against local banks and lending institutions. Finally, the investigation revealed alleged
violations of the Alabama Securities Act and Theft of Property in the 1st
Degree from the sale of promissory notes of a company called Qtrex by Elaine
Turner and David Wayne Gordon. Total
loss from all of these alleged acts is approximately $3 million dollars.
The Director of the Alabama
Securities Commission (ASC) cautions potential investors to thoroughly check
out any investment opportunity. Contact
ASC for inquiries regarding securities broker-dealers, agents, investment
advisors, investment advisor representatives, financial planners, the
registration status of securities, to report suspected fraud, or obtain
consumer information:
ALABAMA SECURITIES COMMISSION
770 WASHINGTON AVE, SUITE 570
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130-4700
Telephone: (334) 242-2984 or 1-800-222-1253. Fax:
(334) 242-0240
Email: asc@asc.state.al.us. Website:
www.asc.state.al.us
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If you have questions or
require more information contact:
Daniel G. Lord
Education and Public Affairs
Manager