Paul Mitchell, 60, the lead pastor of a Brooklyn church and president of an affiliated daycare, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to tax evasion in federal court.

The proceeding was held b e f o r e U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon. Mit che l l faces up to five years in prison, as well as restitution and other monetary penalties. 

According to authorities, Mitchell misused church and daycare funds between 2015 and 2022 to pay for personal expenses, including clothing, jewelry, luxury accessories, life insurance premiums, and credit card bills. Court filings indicate he also withdrew large sums of cash from organizational accounts and transferred funds into his personal accounts. 

As a result, Mitchell caused an estimated tax loss of about $2.9 million to the IRS and $316,699 to New York State. 

“The defendant treated his organizations’ accounts as his own personal piggy bank, stealing millions of dollars and betraying the trust of his congregation and those dependent on the services provided to the community,” said Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York.” 

Mitchell founded both the church and the daycare and served as the lead pastor and president, respectively. He is listed on the church’s website as the senior pastor and visionary for Changing Lives Christian Center. Prosecutors say he failed to report the misappropriated funds as income on his personal tax returns. 

Mitchell resides in West Hempstead, New York. His sentencing date has not yet been set.