Virginia pastor defrauds Charlotte church, others + What we know about Shanquella Robinson’s death

Drew Nantais

Hey, everyone! Drew here. TGIF!

In case you missed it, The Charlotte Observer held a candid conversation with educators and community members last night during our event called “How do we keep our teachers?” You can watch a full replay on our site, YouTube or Facebook.

Here’s your news for today.

1. ‘House of lies.’ Minister convicted of defrauding Charlotte church, others of $800,000

A 2012 Facebook post by Virginia preacher Michael Baldwin shows a rendering of Miracle Mansion, a Christian-centric family entertainment venue he pitched to investors. On Thursday, Baldwin was convicted by a federal jury of fraud in bilking more than $800,000 from investors, including those at Harbor Baptist Church in Charlotte. Screen capture from Facebook

A pastor may be heading from his “Miracle Mansion” to a prison cell soon.

Last night, a federal jury in Charlotte convicted Virginia pastor and would-be developer Michael Baldwin of bilking investors out of more than $800,000.

More than half of the money came from one congregation here in Charlotte. Now the bill has come due.

Michael Gordon reports on Baldwin’s fraud scheme.

2. What is known about Shanquella Robinson, woman who died in Cabo, Mexico?

A bicycle officer became entangled with a car while conducting a traffic stop and was dragged before it crashed into a tree, Florida police said. Photo by Getty Images This is a stock image downloaded from Getty Images. It is a Royalty Free image. Getty Images/Getty Images/iStockphoto
A bicycle officer became entangled with a car while conducting a traffic stop and was dragged before it crashed into a tree, Florida police said. Photo by Getty Images This is a stock image downloaded from Getty Images. It is a Royalty Free image. Getty Images/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The family of a Charlotte woman who died on a trip to Cabo, Mexico is asking how exactly it happened.

25-year-old Shanquella Robinson went on a trip with six of her friends on Oct. 28. She died the next day.

Now the FBI is investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

Kallie Cox recaps what we know so far.

3. Meet Diamond Staton-Williams, Democratic victor in heated Cabarrus House Race

Diamond Staton-Williams won one of the state’s closest House races and becomes the first Black female House member from Cabarrus County. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Diamond Staton-Williams won one of the state’s closest House races and becomes the first Black female House member from Cabarrus County. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

A close Cabarrus House race helped Gov. Roy Cooper retain veto power this election.

Diamond Staton-Williams secured her victory today in a race that came down to about 635 votes. She becomes the first Black woman to represent Cabarrus County in the N.C. House of Representatives.

Will Wright shares more about the newest member of the state legislature.

4. Some longreads for your weekend

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Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.
Drew Nantais is a Senior Growth & Engagement Producer for the Charlotte Observer.

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