The offices of Angel Food Ministries in Monroe, Ga., are shown Thursday, March 5, 2009.MACON, Ga. – The founders of Angel Food Ministries have pleaded not guilty to fraud and money laundering charges in federal court.
Joe and Linda Wingo pleaded not guilty to all charges on Thursday.
The indictment charges that they used the charity’s funds for personal use, including purchasing real estate and supporting a candidate for Walton County sheriff.
Angel Food Ministries was based in Monroe, Ga. It provided discounted groceries to needy families across the U.S.
Families typically ordered multimeal boxes of meatballs, ham and other staples, spending roughly $30 for an estimated $65 worth of groceries, Angel Food has said in the past. Families then collected boxes at churches that were rewarded with at least $1 for every box delivered.