FORT PIERCE – Over the course of 15 years, Fort Pierce non-profit In the Image of Christ (IOC) used space in two city-owned buildings for a variety of “charitable outreach” programs, paying total rent of $24 a year, with the city covering all utility costs.
Now it appears IOC may have committed multiple lease violations, including allegedly profiting from subleasing city space for church services and operating a resale operation and nail salon there.
Despite reporting revenue to the Internal Revenue Service that averaged nearly $600,000 annually from 2018-2023, the charity showed annual deficits ranging from roughly $7,000 to about $162,000. The IRS shows no financial reports filed by IOC since 2023…