Scammer Admits To Swindling Church Out Of Millions
A man from Texas has pleaded guilty to defrauding a church in Georgia out of millions of dollars intended for hurricane repairs, a scheme he allegedly carried out with other individuals and organizations. Andrew Mitchell, 45, of Kemah, Texas, also known as “Andrew Aga,” pleaded guilty last week to one count of mail fraud before U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands. Mitchell faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison, along with a minimum of three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. A sentencing date is yet to be set.
Mitchell’s fraudulent activities were uncovered through a coordinated investigation involving federal prosecutors and the Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Office. Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker expressed concern over the crime, particularly given the victimization of a church congregation in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Booker emphasized the breach of trust involved, as the church relied on Mitchell and others to help with repairs following Hurricane Michael.
Court documents reveal that Mitchell targeted Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, which was insured by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. After the church suffered significant damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018, Mitchell posed as a public adjuster and falsified documents to claim insurance payouts. Between 2018 and 2021, he submitted fraudulent invoices, including one for $950,000 for work that was never done, and forged signatures to obtain checks meant for repairs.
In total, Brotherhood Mutual issued over $6.86 million in insurance payments designated for the church’s repairs, but Mitchell misappropriated a significant portion of these funds. The church raised concerns in 2022 about incomplete repairs, only for Mitchell to falsely claim that the insurance company was withholding further payments.
This is not the first time Mitchell has been accused of similar crimes. In January 2023, he was arrested in Louisiana for allegedly stealing $592,000 from seven former clients, homeowners who had sustained property damage from Hurricane Ida. Mitchell also faced accusations of pocketing over $322,000 in insurer checks meant for a church in Minnesota, although he later returned the funds after the church filed a police complaint.