A Brooklyn pastor pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzling $3 million over seven years from a day care associated with his church. The Rev. Paul Mitchell, 60, admitted in federal court that he broke the Eighth Commandment — “Thou shall not steal” —while leading East New York’s Changing Lives C hristian Center. Prosecutors accused the pastor of pocketing money intended for the supervision and personal development of young people in the church’s care. Officials said he even used the embezzled funds to purchase his fiancée’s engagement ring. “The defendant treated his organizations’ accounts as his own personal piggy bank, stealing millions of dollars and betraying the trust of his congregation and those dependent on the services provided to the community,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella said in a statement. “Our office will always be vigilant in protecting houses of worship from criminality that threatens the important work they do.” Rev. Paul Mitchell leaves Brooklyn Federal Court after pleading guilty to stealing $3 million from his congregation in Brooklyn, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Shawn Inglima/ New York Daily News) Nocella said that between 2015 and 2022, Mitchell was using credit cards from both the church and the day care to pay for his personal expenses, including clothing, jewelry, luxury accessories and life insurance premiums. Among the luxury items he bought with church and day care money was a $795 watch purchased in 2015, according to court documents. More than a year later, he used the same source of funds to buy a smoky quartz and diamond men’s ring that cost just more than $1,000, the documents said Changing Lives Christian Center on Linden Blvd. in East New York, Brooklyn. (Google) In 2018, prosecutors  said, Mitchell also used the same accounts to buy a diamond engagement ring retailing at more than $6,100. “I made personal purchases with the entities’ resources,” Mitchell said in his plea. “I acted willfully.” Prosecutors said Mitchell, who lives in West Hempstead, L.I., also wrote checks from the church’s bank account and the day care’s bank account to transfer money into his own accounts, and failed to report any income from those transfers on his personal income tax returns. “Paul Mitchell was trusted by his parishioners to use their donations for good, not to fatten his wallet,” IRS-Criminal Investigation New York Special Agent in Charge Harry Chavis said. “His deceit was at many levels, as he also evaded paying millions in tax revenue that benefits the good of all Americans.” Rev. Paul Mitchell (partially hidden at far left) was among the clergy counseling Mayor Eric Adams (center) in the months after Adams was hit with federal corruption charges, even leading a prayer vigil to uplift the mayor and show support on Sept. 8, 2024. (Mayoral Photography Office) Mitchell was released on his own recognizance, and will surrender his passport and guns, officials said. Mitchell was among the clergy counseling Mayor Adams in the months after Adams was hit with federal corruption charges, even leading a prayer vigil to uplift the mayor and show support. Mitchell faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as restitution and monetary penalties. ...read more read less