The family of a disabled veteran who died in 2020 has settled their lawsuit against a prominent Long Beach pastor convicted of stealing almost $100,000 from him.
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. In an email, the veteran’s daughter, Sounmi Campbell, said the agreement “recovered what rightfully belonged to my father’s estate and heirs.”
The lawsuit was filed in 2022, shortly after Rev. Misi Tagaloa, of the Second Samoan Congregational Church near Downtown Long Beach, pleaded no contest to felony theft from an elder dependent.
Prosecutors accused Tagaloa of taking control of the finances of a homeless Air Force Veteran in his 60s. The man, Phillip Campbell, met Tagaloa through homeless services offered at the church, according to court records. Phillip Campbell, who was schizophrenic, began living at a home next to the church, and Tagaloa began managing his finances, including a $2,900 monthly VA benefit, according to prosecutors.
Tagaloa was obligated to spend that money on Phillip Campbell, but prosecutors alleged he instead used tens of thousands of dollars on questionable purchases, including $11,305 to pay off Tagaloa’s credit cards; at least $11,000 in rent, donations and tithes to Tagaloa’s church; $3,319 in cash withdrawals; $5,506 to an online stock-trading service; and thousands of dollars spent at clothing and apparel stores.