A significant breach of public trust and moral integrity has culminated in a 12-year prison sentence for James Neil Gill, a former executive director of the Sumner County Food Bank and a senior pastor, following his conviction for extensive theft of charitable funds and patronizing prostitution.
The investigation uncovered Gill’s elaborate schemes, which involved writing checks to himself, diverting bank funds to personal and other unrelated nonprofit accounts under his control, and even using the food bank’s resources to pay for sexual favors, betraying the very mission of aiding the vulnerable in Sumner County.
Gill’s egregious misuse of the food bank’s assets extended to personal purchases made with its debit card and financing improvements to his own home, all while the organization was meant to symbolize community service and relief for those in need.
The total sum of misappropriated funds significantly exceeded $300,000, with over $200,000 directly pocketed by Gill, an additional $130,000 funneled to the Director of Operations, and $40,000 illicitly obtained by the SCFB Treasurer, highlighting a deep-seated financial corruption.
In early 2022, Gill cited health issues for the food bank’s closure, but the true reason for its demise emerged when the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville initiated efforts to establish a new food-distribution nonprofit and subsequently uncovered severe financial discrepancies within the defunct organization.
From assets totaling over $300,000 from the closed food bank, only a paltry $28,000 remained, prompting a church-led investigation that quickly escalated to law enforcement involvement.
Special Agent Miranda Gaddis’s diligent efforts were pivotal, leading to the recovery of approximately $114,000 in cash from Gill’s safe, as confirmed by the Sumner County District Attorney’s Office, with ultimately more than $300,000 being clawed back through judicial forfeiture to benefit the Feed Sumner Food Bank and Ministry.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas B. Dean underscored the gravity of the offenses, stating that “Abuse of public trust—especially involving charitable organizations—will be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by this office,” reaffirming the commitment to justice in Tennessee.
Judge Dee David Gay delivered the 12-year sentence, bringing a conclusion to Gill’s faith-betraying malpractices and serving as a stark reminder that moral failings can occur even within spiritual and charitable leadership, leaving a lasting impact on the Sumner County community that ongoing efforts by honest volunteers and law enforcement aim to mend.
