ATLANTA, GEORGIA, April 14, 2015 (Associated Press): Federal prosecutors say the former leader of a Hindu Temple in Georgia has been sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for defrauding his followers and the temple’s creditors. Annamalai Annamalai of Baytown, Texas, was convicted in 2014 of 34 counts including fraud and obstruction–related charges. Prosecutors say Annamalai demanded fees for spiritual services and then charged members’ credit card numbers for more than the agreed amount. Prosecutors say he sent false documents to credit card companies and filed lawsuits against the followers who challenged him. He also was convicted for sending a false email to an IRS agent and submitting false statements to a grand jury and a bankruptcy court. Annamalai is also known as Dr. Commander Selvam and Swamiji Sri Selvam Siddhar.
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