TULSA, Okla. – The former senior pastor of a historic Tulsa church has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion after admitting he embezzled more than $504,000 in church funds and used some of the money for gambling, personal expenses and firearms.
Keith Rydell Mayes Sr., 63, of Tulsa, entered the guilty pleas after a federal criminal information against him was unsealed.
Mayes became senior pastor of Vernon AME Church in October 2021. His responsibilities included overseeing church finances and managing donations, collections and the disbursement of church funds…