At a time when religion is under attack, Michael Salman suckered the world into believing he was symbol for the left’s War on Religion. Instead, it appears that Salman is just a guy who can’t follow the rules of God or man.
Michael Salman, the Phoenix preacher man who gained national attention from The Blaze, for his claims that he was being prosecuted by the City of Phoenix for his religious beliefs has now been indicted for fraud. The self-styled pastor is accused defrauding the state’s health care program intended for the indigents.
Arizona’s Attorney General announced that Salman, and two other Phoenix residents have been indicted by a state Grand Jury on multiple allegations accusing the trio of defrauding $118,000 in health care benefits from AHCCCS.
The 39 year-old Salman and his wife, 34 year-old Suzanne Salman allegedly misrepresented their household income to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and received health insurance benefits through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for themselves and their children. Also, the allegations claim that between May 2007 and March 2012, Michael Salman’s 37 year-old brother, Frank Salman misrepresented his income to DES in order receive AHCCCS health insurance benefits for himself, his spouse and his children. Michael and Suzanne Salman caused AHCCCS to pay out $73,000.00 for medical coverage for them and their children. In regard to Frank Salman, AHCCCS paid out $45,000 for coverage for him and his children.
The State alleges that between March 13, 2008 and January 31, 2012 Salman submitted false information regarding his household income on applications for AHCCCS benefits which Michael Salman signed under penalty of perjury. The State also alleges that Michael Salman submitted a false statement to DES/AHCCCS in regard to employment with Bureau of Merchant Services. The Arizona Corporation Commission shows Suzanne Salman is the current statutory agent for National Bureau of Merchant Services (NBMS). NBMS’ initial board of directors, when the Corporation Commission paperwork was signed on December 15, 2004, consisted of Michael and Suzanne Salman as the sole board members.
The City of Phoenix came under attack and Salman became a made-for-TV-martyr when he claimed that the City was treating him unfairly due to his religious beliefs. Salman made a heart-wrenching video moments before reporting to the Maricopa County Jail for sixty days (only served two) for the violation of the City’s building code.
According to the City of Phoenix, Salman had regular gatherings or services of up to 80 people at a building on his residential property. He held services twice a week and collected a tithe at the services. He held himself out as a being the pastor of Harvest Christian Church and claimed a church status for tax exemption purposes on his property.
Due to the regular, reoccurring high vehicular traffic in this quiet residential neighborhood, neighbors repeatedly complained about the public assembly occurring on his property. Because of the multiple, reoccurring complaints, the City investigated the activity and discovered numerous building code violations primarily related to fire safety standards.
Mr. Salman’s interaction regarding his property dates back to 2006, when he was advised by the Zoning Administrator that his property was analogous to a church and required compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
On May 1, 2007, Salman was cited for, and eventually pleads responsible to building without the required permit.
In 2008, Mr. Salman’s church, Harvest Christian Fellowship Community Church, is issued a Building Permit to construct a 2,000 square foot private game room accessory to an existing single family residence. The permit states, “Any other occupancy or use (business, commercial, assembly, church, etc.) is expressly prohibited pursuant to the City of Phoenix Building Code and Zoning Ordinances.”
On January 4, 2010, Harvest Christian Fellowship Community Church is found responsible for 96 civil code violations. The Court note that “the State is not saying the Salmans can’t run a church or have worship services at the location, but the State is saying that if they do so, they must do it properly and in accord with the building, fire, and zoning codes.”
On August 30, 2010, Mr. Salman was found guilty of 67 Class 1 Misdemeanors. The Court stated, “Everyone is entitled under the United States Constitution to worship as they please. But there is a reason for these codes and that is for public safety. And that, I believe, is all that the State is asking is that the Code violations be rectified.”
The Court sentenced Mr. Salman to serve jail time. He was ordered to report to jail on June 18, 2012.
On June 28, 2012, a Probation Revocation Arraignment was held alleging violations of Mr. Salman’s sentence by twice having a gathering in excess of 12 people on his premises while not in compliance with all ordinances and failing to cooperate with the Court’s Financial Screening.
He then earned his fifteen minutes of fame and two days in jail.
Now, Michael and Suzanne Salman have been indicted for Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a class 2 felony; Theft, a class 2 felony; and multiple counts of Forgery, class 4 felonies. Michael Salman is also facing one count of Perjury, a class 4 felony. The State Grand Jury also issued an indictment for Frank Salman for Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a class 2 felony; Theft, a class 2 felony; and multiple counts of both Forgery and Perjury, class 4 felonies.
His fifteen minutes of fame are a thing if the past, but more time in jail may be in his future. But it will be okay.
Salman can rely on his past for the strength he gained while serving six years in the Arizona Department of Corrections from 1993 to 1999 for aggravated assault.