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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A general contractor who worked at the multi-million-dollar mansion in the Avila community operated by the Kingdom of God Global Church claims, as the weeks of construction went on, he became more suspicious.
The building, along with other Church centers across the United States, was raided by the FBI in late August after leaders were accused of human trafficking and money laundering. Those locations also included Texas and Missouri.
“They use people in really bad ways,” the contractor said.
The man, who would not show his face on camera out of fear of retribution, claims his local company was first hired for pool maintenance in the early summer of 2025. Other construction work completed included renovations to the inside of the mansion.
“I’ve been working in this city for years for really high-end customers. I have never have had somebody on my back, right on me, watching what I was doing. In my head, I was like, ‘What’s going on? What is your problem?'” he said.
Daniel Taylor, the leader of the church and self-proclaimed “best friend of Jesus,” and Michelle Brannon, the executive director, were both arrested after the Justice Department issued criminal warrants. Taylor was apprehended in North Carolina, and Brannon was taken into custody in Hillsborough County.
“I was really sad how these people… they used God to become rich,” the contractor said.
Allegations against the church included, but were not limited to:
- Forced Labor and Abuse: The federal indictment alleges that Taylor and Brannon coerced followers of the church into working long hours without pay, using physical and psychological abuse, including “sleep deprivation, food restrictions, public humiliation, and threats of divine judgment,” according to the Justice Department of the United States. Victims were allegedly frequently denied freedom to leave and forced to live in call centers or ministry houses across numerous locations in the U.S., according to federal documents provided to 8 On Your Side.
- Money Laundering and Fraud: The leaders are accused of diverting nearly $50 million in donations collected at those call centers, which were taken in under the guise of humanitarian causes, to personal luxuries and items. Some of those include the $10 million mansion in Tampa’s Avila neighborhood, and an extravagant lifestyle for church leaders.
“I believe that wasn’t God there… because, when you see something like this, it’s not God involved,” the contractor said.
Brannon appeared in federal court on August 28, where cameras were not allowed. The Executive Director asked a judge to extradite her to Michigan, where the Kingdom of God Global Church was founded. Both her and Taylor are being held on a slew of felony charges, including conspiracy to commit forced labor and money laundering.
“You trust me, when you die, you will be in a lot of trouble, because, God doesn’t forget that,” the contractor said.
8 On Your Side contacted the church’s headquarters in Michigan, and staffers say that the church is still in operation and still accepting donations.