U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett placed the senior pastor at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in federal custody until his sentence. He could be sentenced to up to 20 years imprisonment and a substantial fine. Fairley was found guilty by unanimous vote. Fairley claimed he was innocent. His lawyers are expected to appeal the conviction. Fairley was found guilty by the federal jury of conspiring to defraud U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of approximately $60,000 and then receiving and maintaining federal funds by working on two houses at a lower cost than the Pinebelt Community Services group had estimated. Starrett was informed by the jury that they had reached a deadlock, and he sent them back to continue deliberations. After the verdict was announced, Fairley’s friends as well as members of his congregation were shocked and dismayed. Sandra Fairley’s wife could be seen quietly humming before the verdict. When asked about her feelings, Sandra replied, “God’s got that.” The government claimed that Fairley and Artie Fletcher, a Picayune developer, conspired to renovate houses as cheaply and inexpensively as possible, for approximately $38,000, but cost the government $98,000. Bertram Marks, a defense attorney from Detroit, asked the jury in spirited remarks, “Is it illegal to be charitable?” Pinebelt Community Services, Fairley’s non-profit organization that undertakes a variety of activities in the region, including the housing project. Fairley, a political activist and chief executive of the city’s mayor Johnny Dupree, is best known for his many successful campaigns. Marks asked the jury why Fletcher wasn’t called as a witness, but was only heard through his own audiotapes. He replied, “The government was tricked by Artie Fletcher.” “They didn’t bring him in front of you because they knew that he was lying.” Fairley’s case against the government stems from a civil lawsuit Fletcher filed in 2013. It details Fairley’s account of the housing rehabilitation scheme. The case was never filed. Abe McGlothin (assistant U.S. Attorney) told the jury that Fairley was proved wrong by the government. McGlothin stated that Fairley and Fletcher had a plan in place. They knew they would do little work at a low cost, and would be successful. Fairley was indicted alongside Fletcher in March. However, Fletcher pleaded guilty to the lesser crime of knowing that a felony was being perpetrated but failing to inform authorities. Fletcher could spend up to five years prison. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.