Nation : Bakker Denies Guilt in PTL Case

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  Former PTL leader Jim Bakker pleaded innocent today to federal charges of diverting millions of dollars in donations from his followers and using the money to support his lavish life style.

“I am definitely not guilty of any charges in this indictment,” Bakker said after the arraignment. He made no comment during the hearing, but defense attorney George T. Davis asked U.S. Magistrate Paul Taylor to impose a gag order in the case after reading aloud parts of an interview with a bankruptcy judge who called Bakker a “sawed-off little runt” and “a thief.” Taylor took the motion under advisement.