Judge dismisses racketeering lawsuit against Mark Driscoll

A federal judge in Washington state has dismissed a civil racketeering lawsuit filed against former Mars Hill Church pastor Mark Driscoll and executive elder Sutton Turner—on a technicality. Four former Mars Hill members accused Driscoll and Turner of using tithe funds for purposes congregants did not expect or necessarily approve. But lawyers for Driscoll and Turner said their clients did not get a copy of the lawsuit within 90 days of its filing in March, as required under state law. Their accusers didn’t dispute that, claiming they didn’t have the money to have the two men served. They could refile the suit under the terms of the dismissal, and would like to, if someone else will help foot the bill. The two couples took to GoFundMe to raise money for their legal bills, but so far they’ve only raised about half their $70,000 goal.