SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (AP) — Donors, survivors and victims’ families are questioning how a South Texas church is spending millions of dollars of donations made since a gunman killed more than two dozen worshippers in November.
Demand for more information grew after the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, near San Antonio, announced plans for a new $3 million sanctuary last month.
Mike Ritch raised nearly $100,000 for victims, but has since cut ties with the church. He’s asking for more transparency about where the money is going.
Church leaders say they’re distributing the thousands of donations from around the world. They insist they aren’t using victim’s relief funds to pay for the new church.
The church declined to report fundraising totals and won’t have to disclose details to the IRS.