Authorities: Reverend Wanted Witnesses 'Taken Out'

Man Allegedly Offered $30,000 For Murder Contracts

SEASIDE, Calif. -- California investigators alleged Wednesday that a pastor accused of embezzling state money set up murder contracts against three witnesses who planned to testify against him.

Authorities in the city of Seaside said earlier this month that the Rev. Herbert Lusk (pictured, right) stole more than $1 million from the preschool he founded 30 years ago.

Lusk has since entered a not guilty plea on 18 counts, including embezzlement and tax evasion.

New information provided in a phone call to authorities from a confidential source indicated that Lusk offered to pay $10,000 apiece to have the witnesses "taken out," according to court records.

The informant reportedly said that no one in the area was willing to take the contract, but that an agreement was made with unknown parties in Los Angeles, according to court records.

No additional charges have been filed against Lusk.

Chief District Attorney Terry Spitz said said that they are taking the new information very seriously, however.

"Our main concern is to make sure our witnesses are safe," Spitz said. "We have an individual who brought some information to our attention, and our obligation (is) to not ignore that, but to take appropriate action right now. We are working with the witnesses who are involved and letting the court know about the information we received."

Lusk said Wednesday that the allegations are not true.

"I don't understand why they're spreading these lies about me," Lusk said.

Prosecutors in the case said that they will ask the court to place Lusk in jail if any intentional harm comes to any of the witnesses.

They also said that they will seek permission to videotape testimony from the witnesses to preserve their testimony.

A judge may rule on those motions when Lusk is back in court Friday.

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