Baptist Convicted for Money Laundering

Nathaniel Alexander of Portsmouth Virginia was one of several people caught up in a check-kiting scheme. Olympic Medalists Steve Riddick and Marion Jones were also involved and are facing jail time.

Alexander, a Portsmouth businessman who was sharing office space with Riddick during the conspiracy, was found guilty of laundering two counterfeit checks for $1 million. He argued at trial that he thought the check was for the purchase of a business he had owned at the time. The jury didn’t believe him.

“The charges against Mr. Alexander are so out of character from his upbringing and involvement in the community,” Bishop James M. Whitaker, pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Portsmouth where Alexander attends services, wrote in a letter to the judge.