Barrett Lindsay
The family member of a former Baptist pastor alleges the church where he worked refuses to pay her more than $10,000 in retirement that he had allegedly earned.
Jennifer Trainer Preston filed a lawsuit March 8 in Jefferson County District Court against East Mount Olive Baptist Church.
In her complaint, Preston alleges Arthur Trainer worked as a preacher for East Mount Olive. As part of Turner's compensation, the church paid $25 per week into his retirement account, according to the complaint.
"At the time of the death of Dr. Arthur Trainer, the account had a balance of $11,628.48," the suit states.
However, the church has failed to pay Trainer or his family the money in the retirement account. In fact, the members of the church held a meeting to debate whether they should pay Trainer's retirement money to his family or keep the funds for the church, the complaint says.
"The church voted to retain the retirement funds paid to the benefit of Dr. Trainer during his life," the suit states.
Preston alleges the church breached its contract and engaged in fraud.
She seeks a temporary injunction preventing the church from spending the retirement money and other relief the court deems just.
Michael J. Lindsay, Barrett P. Lindsay and John Pat Parsons of Lindsay, Lindsay and Parsons in Beaumont will be representing her.
Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. B192-141