Stephen Cliffgard Lee is among the 19 individuals who authorities claim were involved in illegal exertions to overturn Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. So, in the rest of the writing, we thought we would tell you everything that you all have been wondering about him, the last one collared on this case.
Meet Stephen Cliffgard Lee, Illinois Pastor & Trump Co-Defendant
Stephen Cliffgard Lee, put on trial alongside Donald Trump, was the last of the former president’s 18 co-indicted to turn himself into Fulton County authorities on 25 August 2023. The ormer cop-turned-Lutheran pastor was seen donning his clerical get-up for the mugshot.
From what prosecutors stated Stephen worked with others to try to pressure Georgia election worker Ruby Freeman and her daughter after Donald Trump and his allies falsely blamed them of pulling fraudulent ballots from a suitcase during the vote count. Stephen allegedly knocked on Ruby’s door and frightened following which she had called 911 three times. All of these, prosecutors said in a court filing in 2022.
So now, Stephen faces five counts in the accusation handed up by a grand jury on August 14th in connection with his alleged attempt to pressurize Ruby. He and fellow defendant Chicago publicist Trevian Kutti are both charged with breach of Georgia’s RICO Act, conspiracy to solicit false statements and writings, and influencing witnesses. Stephen alone also faces two additional counts of criminal attempt to influence witnesses.
How Much Is Stephen Cliffgard Lee’s Net Worth?
Stephen Cliffgard Lee reportedly had less than $2.5 million net worth as of August 2023.
Like other co-defendants and even the former President, Stephen was granted bond ahead of his expected surrender to the county jail. Bond for him was set at $75,000, which his attorney, David Shestokas, slammed as “excessive”. “He’s a pastor. These are not folks that do things to get wealthy,” the attorney had scoffed. He also stated that there is no reason to believe his client is a flight risk. He also talked about having “advised” judges that Stephen is not a wealthy man and would be able to make the bond. However, as of August 25th afternoon, the Fulton County Jail indicated that Lee was released after being booked. So, many have since believed that Lee’s bond funds may have been provided by the Christian organization Illinois Family Institute. The institution had announced a day before that it was fundraising to support their “American’s Chaplain” Stephen.
Stephen’s lawyer, when talking about the case to The Daily Beast said Silk, real name Herneitha Hardaway, cut a check for $3,500 to start, and by the time Stephen turned himself, in an hour before the court-mandated deadline, he had enough money to bail out. “A miracle” is what he called it.
In his career, Stephen served as a police officer in California in the 1980s before becoming a chaplain and leading a crisis response team for law enforcement. From 1980 through 1987, he was a sergeant in the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. That time around and later, he also served as a special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. In 1996, he founded Peace Officer Ministries Inc. and became its executive director until 2010.
Between 2016 and 2018, he led a Lutheran church’s Quick Response Team providing chaplain services to law enforcement. Then, the year 2020 saw him become a vacancy pastor for the Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park, Illinois.
Up until at least the weekend, he turned himself to the court, Stephen served the Living Word Church. He preached at the church as recently as August 27th, delivering a sermon focused on the Book of Job.
A representative for Living Word also said Religion News Service that Stephen was working at the church in an interim capacity but is no longer the pastor. The representative nevertheless refused to offer any statement regarding his indictment. The head of communications for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod also confirmed that Stephen is a pastor in the denomination but also described him as retired and his status as “emeritus.”
Stephen has an A.A. in Law Enforcement from West Valley College, a B.A. in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University, and an M.Div. from Concordia Theological Seminary.
Stephen Cliffgard Lee Age
As Stephen Cliffgard Lee was born in 1952, he reached the age of 70 in 2022.
Stephen Cliffgard Lee Wife
Stephen’s wife is Elaine D Lee and she turned 72 years old in July 2023. He married her in 1978. So, they had been married for over 45 years as of 2023.
Elaine is said to have assisted her husband as POM’s Ministry Support Coordinator and also as church secretary. Among other works, she also toiled for Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family and Dr. Wyn Arn’s Institute for American Church Growth.
By the time Stephen and his wife celebrated their 42nd anniversary of being together, they had four children and six grandchildren in Orland Park, Illinois.
Is Stephen Cliffgard Lee On Facebook?
Stephen Cliffgard Lee could not be found on social media platforms including Facebook as of August 2023.
Related FAQs
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When Is Stephen Cliffgard Lee’s Birthday?
Stephen Cliffgard Lee’s birthday is on October 25th making her a Scorpio.
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Where Does Stephen Cliffgard Lee Reside?
Stephen Cliffgard Lee had been residing in Orland Park, Illinois as of August 2023. He likely hails from California.
