Osteens resist making their personal wealth public

(4/23/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A person's net worth is sensitive information, but it's especially sensitive if you're one of the world's most visible pastors. On Monday, a judge was asked to force Joel and Victoria Osteen to reveal their wealth. It's all part of a lawsuit filed against Mrs. Osteen a year and a half ago.

The net worth of the couple will be filed with the court, but no one except the judge and the Osteens' attorneys will know the figures. It's sealed unless and until a judgment is entered against Mrs. Osteen. It also gives you an idea of how big a fight both sides are willing to wage.

Victoria Osteen is a co-pastor at Lakewood Church and wife to the pastor of what's arguably the largest evangelical church in the country. In December of 2005, though, Joel and Victoria Osteen were aboard a Continental Airlines plane awaiting takeoff to Vail when a confrontation between Mrs. Osteen and a flight attendant reportedly occurred.

That flight attendant is suing and a judge was asked to order that the Osteen's reveal their net worth in the event of a judgment. It didn't sit well with the Osteen family attorney.

"It has been nothing but about money and publicity," lawyer Rusty Hardin asserted. "She's gotten her 15 minutes of fame - or 15 seconds, but she's gotten more than 15 seconds - and she's seeking money she's never going to get."

The flight attendant is suing for assault, plus emotional and mental duress. The attorney for plaintiff Sharon Brown responded to the charge that this case is about money.

"If money is the only thing that will get Victoria Osteen's attention so that she doesn't do this to anybody else, then that's what we need to do," said attorney Reginald McKamie.

In court Monday, Hardin told the judge that the Osteen's were not ordered off the flight by the pilot but left voluntarily. So far, the lawsuit has not been set for trial.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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