Judge rules in the matter of former girlfriend vs. Ward

By BETTY PLEASANT, Contributing Editor

Story Created: Jan 6, 2010 at 8:46 PM PST

Story Updated: Jan 8, 2010 at 10:05 AM PST

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Superior Court Judge Michelle R. Rosenblatt wished Verna Woodfox a very merry Christmas when she filed her decision on Woodfox’s lawsuit against the controversial Rev. Joel Ward, the Joel John Scholastic Academy and St. Paul Baptist Church on Christmas Eve and awarded her $323,955.70 in damages.

Over a period of six days in November, Ward stood trial on fraud charges brought by his church member, Woodfox, who claimed that, after having been led to believe Ward was going to marry her, she obtained $375,000 in unpayable debt on her property. She said she gave that money to Ward to finance a basketball tournament for his Joel John Scholastic Academy, as well as resolve financial problems with his church.

Ward admitted to the court that he was already married when he engaged in a romantic relationship with Woodfox.

The judge ruled in favor of everything Woodfox contended in her lawsuit — that she was fooled into believing Ward would marry her and that her property was foreclosed upon because of him — and awarded her general and punitive damages against Ward. Judge Rosenblatt did accept, however, that Ward did pay $5,442 in June 2006 on a first trust deed debt of Woodfox’s and she credited him with that amount, leaving him to pay $323,955.70.

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What goes around said on Wednesday, May 4 at 2:07 PM

He caused Verna to lose her house in foreclosure and now he is losing the church. He is messing with women in the church and has one in Detroit who is in real estate like Verna, all while perusing the net for more victims. You can't treat people wrong and get away with it!

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memberx said on Monday, Dec 27 at 2:56 PM

He has a benefactor who is in real estate. Maybe she can get the church out of foreclosure along with the unsuspecting fools he meets on all the dating sites he's a member of. He's a loser.

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saint paul is dead said on Tuesday, Nov 16 at 11:07 AM

the church is in foreclosure, the taxes haven't been paid in 3 years and he still tries to pick up women left and right. Guess he's looking for another benefactor...

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the chickens come home to roost said on Monday, Nov 8 at 4:10 PM

if the church is in forclosure, then thats Karma for what he did to Verna Woodfox!

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bozo said on Monday, Oct 4 at 11:21 PM

and the church is in foreclosure now

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Ward of the Court said on Thursday, Jul 8 at 2:14 PM

Somethings is terrible wrong with God's people. Blindness is for the unsaved because they like darkness. Maybe you are not Gods' people because it is obvious that you are enjoying the smooth words of the Ward... how many are left !!!Less than 100. Silly people.

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scary cat buster said on Monday, Jul 5 at 9:58 AM

to ashamed to be a member. If you are so ashamed, why do you still go there. you are a stupid idiot!

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ashamed to be a member said on Wednesday, Mar 3 at 4:35 PM

how could the church allow this to happen. what is he preaching i hope she reads this and find out what they are doing at st paul

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i am a member and shame to say it said on Wednesday, Mar 3 at 4:34 PM

Well wouldn't you know it..St Paul gave Ward an anniversary and put the money in the church account so this woman can get paid.... what kind of church is that.... sounds like another law suit

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jason m. said on Tuesday, Jan 12 at 6:02 AM

Now thats justice people, but what about the church that this so called pastor ran into the ground like the one he fled in detroit after doing the same thing.?

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hearsay said on Friday, Jan 8 at 11:09 AM

copy and post the link in your web browser for the court documents http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbPJv7TcDVw5ZGZwbnN6MnJfMGY4azlqNmc2

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hearsay said on Friday, Jan 8 at 10:26 AM

click on the link for the court document http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbPJv7TcDVw5ZGZwbnN6MnJfMGY4azlqNmc2&hl=en

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Ward the Bozo Pulpit Clown said on Wednesday, Jan 6 at 11:03 PM

Betty, you forgot about the 10% interest from 2006 to 2009 on the $300,000...... Pat Thomas will see that she doesn't get that money...

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embrassed to be a member said on Wednesday, Jan 6 at 10:55 PM

Hold her breath she will never see a penny of that money. Ward said he would never pay her. he would file BK before he let her have a dime...

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