FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. -- Action News has uncovered new information about a church whose pastor is accused of videotaping women.
Pastor Greg Neal was a man people tell us they trusted. "They were like a second family. I looked up to him," one former member told Action News. Former church members are now speaking out about the troubles at the Berean Baptist Church, even though they say they're worried about threats from church leaders.
"It's a dictatorship, a cult. It's how they keep people under control," said one former member. "I was informed if I wasn't on the side of the preacher, he'd shoot me," said another former member.
Action News was the first to tell you the details of an investigation into Pastor Neal. He's accused of videotaping women while changing their clothes in the church. Even though police say there was "overwhelming" evidence, we've learned they can't charge Neal because the tape surfaced 10 years after it happened. "Doesn't matter. God knows what's going on. He'll pay for it," said one former member.
Action News has uncovered even more trouble within the church. In June of 2010, the Berean Baptist Church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Action News found paperwork showing, they're six and a half million dollars in debt. Former church members tell Action News they gave the church a lot of money over the years. They want to know where it went. The paperwork Action News obtained shows the church is reorganizing, trying to find a way to pay off those debts.
People we talked with believe it's just part of another cover up. "I trusted them. I've been deceived like many others," said one former member.
Action News has tried to contact the church several times, but we were told to leave the property and our phone calls have not been returned.