Minister toward suspect in car fraud: ‘Forgive sinner, not the sin’

BOARDMAN — A minister listed as a theft victim in the automobile dealing fraud indictment against Buddy Harvey said he can forgive the former Boardman car dealer, but the dealer should be forced to make restitution to victims by selling his rental properties and other assets.

“Christians need to hate the sin and not the sinner,” said the Rev. Gregory O’Dell, associate pastor at Evangel Baptist Church. The Rev. Mr. O’Dell said he could forgive Harvey and have compassion for him.

“I can have righteous anger for something that was wrong, but I’m not going to bear bitterness in my heart and animosity because that only hurts me and it hurts my family and my ministry,” he said.

However, Mr. O’Dell added: “You do something wrong and you’ve got to pay the consequences. You don’t get off. Things need to be made right. A crime was committed against me and a lot of other people.... If the court says that there’s jail time on this, then so be it.’’

Mr. O’Dell also urged the alleged victims in this case to seek restitution by filing lawsuits in small claims court, but not to let the matter interfere with their holiday observances.

“Appreciate what you do have and consider yourself fortunate to have the blessings that you do have, and let go of any bitterness and focus on loving your families and bringing joy and peace that the Christmas season represents,” Mr. O’Dell advised victims.

Buddy Harvey, 41, of Canton, and his brother, Gregory A. Harvey, 36, of Berlin Center, were named as defendants in a 63-count indictment returned Dec. 6 by a Mahoning County grand jury. Mr. O’Dell said all of his dealings were with Buddy Harvey.

Buddy Harvey is charged with 43 theft counts, 15 title offenses, three records tampering counts and one count each of defrauding creditors and passing bad checks. Gregory Harvey is charged with 27 theft counts, one count of tampering with records and 12 title offenses.

Both defendants have pleaded innocent in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Buddy Harvey is free on a $3,000 cash bond; and Gregory Harvey is free on his own recognizance.