(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The disgraced ex-pastor and founder of the suburban megachurch Harvest Bible Chapel has been charged with felony battery and assault in California.
James Macdonald allegedly attacked a 59-year-old woman in Coronado, Calif., after hitting her car while trying to parallel park his truck, according to a March 22 Coronado Police Department Facebook post.
After striking the woman’s vehicle, police said she got out of her car to talk, which is when they allege Macdonald “jumped out of his truck and attacked” the woman. Police said that while the assault was happening, MacDonald’s truck rolled backward and struck the vehicle parked behind him.
Police said the woman was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Macdonald’s lawyer Michael Pancer, said that he “would never intentionally harm another human being.”
“The charges as written are not accurate,” he said.
Macdonald founded Harvest in 1988, and the church eventually had 13,000 members in seven locations.
He was fired in 2019 “for engaging in conduct that the Elders believe is contrary and harmful to the best interests of the church.”
He was recorded angrily responding to critics.
Macdonald’s next court date is set for June 14.
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(The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.)