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Stewman asks for leniency in federal court sentencing
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BATON ROUGE - A pastor under investigation for questionable business practices was sentenced in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Judge Brian Jackson sentenced Reginald Stewman to three years probation, calling his conduct "deceitful, dishonest and wrong."
The Investigative Unit first reported on his questionable handling of special needs adults in 2013. Stewman would provide a place to stay for those adults while taking their social security checks to pay for the expenses. He ran into trouble when he took the money but didn't pay his landlords rent. Stewman left without paying $23,000 in back rent.
Earlier, Stewman moved the same group of people from another complex after a rent dispute. His landlord claimed he owed $100,000 in back rent and he filed bankruptcy.
Stewman's real problem started when the Feds determined he owed income taxes for his past business dealings.
Through the years, Stewman has been involved in a number of outside business ventures. Secretary of State documents show he was a director of a non-profit, Indigent Partial Hospitalization.
Stewman was operating medical facilities in other parts of the state and not paying nearly $200,000 in income taxes.
Following a guilty plea, Stewman was sentenced to probation and will have to follow strict guidelines for the next three years. He will also have to pay restitution to the IRS.
In court, Stewman said, "I'm extremely remorseful for this act. Words cannot express the pain that I have encountered and inflicted on myself and my family."
Stewman is currently up for pastorship and has already began paying the money he owes.
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