Overview
- The attorney general filed the civil lawsuit Tuesday after securing an April 15 court order that freezes the church and dance studio’s assets.
- Prosecutors say Real Believers Faith Center misspent about $1.3 million and Les Jolies School of Dance about $800,000 on luxury travel, designer purchases, cash transfers to family, and other expenses with no charitable purpose.
- The filing alleges nonprofit money also supported for‑profit ventures, including a leased gas station next to the church, and that nonprofit buildings were pledged as collateral for roughly $650,000 in loans without board approval.
- Investigators say Larry Cook invoked his Fifth Amendment rights when asked about the gas station, and they allege Sharon Cook dissolved the dance nonprofit in March 2025 without the required notice while the probe was underway.
- Larry and Sharon Cook deny the accusations, say the trips and purchases were for ministry or wages, and the matter remains a civil enforcement case with no public criminal charges reported.