A three-year investigation into financial improprieties at six Christian ministries whose television preaching bankrolled leaders’ lavish lifestyles has concluded with the formation of an independent commission to look into the lack of accountability by tax-exempt religious groups.

The investigation report issued this week details the ministries’ luxury homes and cars, trips on private jets and expensive gifts, including two Rolls Royces that a third party reported was given to the Dollars as a gift from the church.

Media-based televangelists benefiting from tax code exemptions are warned — Sen. Chuck Grassley is a terrier-like congressional inquisitor with time and a big stick on his side.

“I am not threatening them, at this point,” the Iowa Republican said.

Television ministers Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar again have declined to answer questions sparked by news coverage of lavish lifestyles, according to a U.S. senator pushing the investigation.

An Iowa senator investigating six prominent television Christian ministries, including two in Atlanta, said Friday he will take up Creflo Dollar’s challenge to subpoena the documents he requested from them, if necessary. [video]

The evangelist Creflo Dollar has resigned from the Oral Roberts University board of regents, and another evangelist, Benny Hinn, has lost his status as a voting member of the board.

At the World Changers Church International, members of the congregation speak in tongues but also know that money talks. They worship the “God of increase”, believe their debts will be cleared by divine intervention, and serve Jesus by parting with their cash.

Only two of six Christian ministries under scrutiny for allegations of opulent spending turned over documents to a Senate panel by a Thursday deadline, with others either fighting the request or asking for more time.

Four televangelists, under investigation for the way they raise and spend money, did not turn over financial information by Thursday, the deadline set by the Senate Finance Committee, including one preacher who challenged the committee to subpoena him.

Two money-hungry televangelists refuse to cooperate with a probe into their financial dealings.

A lawyer for preacher Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta has asked Sen. Charles Grassley to either refer the matter to the IRS or get a subpoena, according to a letter from Dollar’s attorney obtained Wednesday by the AP.

Heretic Creflo Dollar is one of several televangelists under the gun for their love of money.

A US senator wants to investigate money-hungry preachers. The preachers are not amused.

Creflo Dollar Responds To Questions About Possible Financial Misconduct.

Prosperity preacher Creflo Dollar is in Uganda where his money, money, money gospel is as popular as it is in the USA.

Uganda is a popular destination for so-called prosperity preachers. Their message: give me money so that God can make you rich.