Indian priest in US sentenced to 27 yrs in jail for bank fraud

April 15, 2015 08:12

An Indian-origin former leader of a now defunct Hindu temple in Georgia has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for committing bank and tax frauds, money laundering and using the temple's income to fund his personal lifestyle.

Annamalai Annamalai,49, also known as Swamiji Sri Selvam Siddhar, was in August last convicted for bank and tax frauds following a two-week jury trial.

He was also convicted of bankruptcy fraud offences in connection with the Hindu Temple's petition for bankruptcy protection in August 2009. "Annamalai perverted the sacred institution of religion by using it as a vehicle for greed and personal profit," said Acting US Attorney John A Horn.

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