cover of episode Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker | Bringing Down the Bakkers | 4

Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker | Bringing Down the Bakkers | 4

2024/7/2
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American Scandal

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Charles E. Shepard: 本书作者谢泼德讲述了他对巴克及其PTL电视布道部的调查过程,以及他如何通过坚持不懈的努力,揭露了巴克的巨额财富、财务欺诈和性侵犯行为,最终导致巴克辞职并入狱。谢泼德的调查报道获得了普利策奖,他的努力也对PTL的衰落起到了关键作用。他详细描述了调查过程中遇到的困难,包括来自巴克及其团队的威胁和阻挠,以及如何克服这些困难,最终获得真相。他还分析了巴克的性格特点和行为动机,以及PTL的运作模式和财务状况。 Jim Bakker: 巴克在采访中为自己辩护,承认与杰西卡·汉发生过性关系,但他声称自己是受到了操纵,并对所付出的金钱表示后悔。他强调自己拥有远见和计划,并试图为基督教世界做贡献。他将自己的失败归咎于对细节的关注不足,并试图通过寻求杰里·法威尔的帮助来挽回局面。 Tammy Faye Bakker: 虽然访谈中没有直接引用Tammy Faye Bakker的观点,但通过对巴克夫妇共同行为的描述,可以推断出Tammy Faye Bakker参与了PTL的运作,并对巴克的所作所为有所了解,甚至可能默许或参与其中。 Jessica Hahn: 杰西卡·汉最初向谢泼德讲述了她与巴克的性遭遇,但后来又否认了之前的证词,并威胁要起诉。这说明了事件的复杂性和当事人之间利益冲突的严重性。 Jerry Falwell: 巴克在辞职时提名杰里·法威尔接替他的职位,这显示了巴克试图利用法威尔的影响力来挽回局面的企图。法威尔与巴克的合作关系也反映了当时电视布道界错综复杂的关系网。 Charles E. Shepard: Shepard's investigation revealed Bakker's immense wealth, financial crimes, and sexual assault of Jessica Hahn, ultimately leading to Bakker's resignation and imprisonment. The investigation was challenging, involving threats and obstruction from Bakker and his team. Shepard details Bakker's personality and motivations, and the inner workings and financial state of PTL. He highlights the difficulties of the investigation, including dead ends, threats, and the need to persuade people to talk. His persistence paid off, resulting in a Pulitzer Prize and playing a key role in PTL's downfall. Jim Bakker: Bakker defended himself, admitting a sexual encounter with Jessica Hahn but claiming manipulation and regretting the money paid. He emphasized his vision and plan, aiming to contribute to the Christian world. He attributed his failures to insufficient attention to detail and sought Jerry Falwell's help to recover. Tammy Faye Bakker: While not directly quoted, Tammy Faye Bakker's involvement in PTL's operations and her potential knowledge, acquiescence, or participation in Bakker's actions can be inferred from descriptions of the couple's joint behavior. Jessica Hahn: Hahn initially recounted her sexual encounter with Bakker but later recanted and threatened legal action, highlighting the complexity of the events and the significant conflicts of interest among the parties involved. Jerry Falwell: Bakker's nomination of Jerry Falwell as his successor demonstrates an attempt to leverage Falwell's influence to recover. Falwell's involvement reflects the intricate network of relationships within the televangelism world at the time.

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When investigative reporter Charles E. Shepard began covering televangelist Jim Bakker and his ministry, Praise the Lord, he knew it could be the biggest story his paper was following. Throughout the 1980s, he documented Bakker’s extraordinary wealth, financial crimes, and sexual assault of a former PTL secretary named Jessica Hahn. Shepard’s efforts helped win his paper a Pulitzer Prize for meritorious public service. Today, he joins Lindsay to talk about his book, Forgiven: The Rise and Fall of Jim Bakker and the PTL Ministry)*, *and the discoveries that helped bring Bakker and his ministry down.

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