Michigan Church Leaders Seek Dismissal of Forced Labor and Money Laundering Indictment
Defense attorneys for David Taylor and Michelle Brannon, leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church, have filed motions to dismiss a second superseding indictment alleging forced labor and money laundering. The indictment claims the church used call centers in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri to obtain unpaid labor and raise millions of dollars. Prosecutors allege that workers faced long hours, deprivation of food or sleep, physical and verbal abuse, and threats of spiritual punishment. Taylor argues that the First Amendment protects his religious teachings, which the prosecution relies on as evidence of coercion, and that the court would improperly judge religious doctrine by evaluating their truthfulness. He also contends that the indictment fails to sufficiently allege a violation of the federal forced-labor statute, stating that the alleged conditions do not meet the 'serious harm' requirement and that there is no evidence of individuals being prevented from leaving. The defense also invokes the... 
