Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Former Globetrotter calls charges God’s test

In his first sermon since his arrest this month on federal charges of cheating churchgoers out of millions of dollars, Clyde "the Glide" Austin, a former Harlem Globetrotters player, spoke Sunday of the five days he spent in a North Las Vegas jail.

Austin, pastor of Heaven's Light Church in Henderson, said repeatedly that God was testing him with the federal charges to which he pleaded not guilty last week in Richmond, Va. The charges of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy carry a maximum penalty of 180 years in prison and $6.5 million in fines, according to a federal prosecutor.

Austin on Sunday flashed back to his days on the basketball court to inspire about 20 churchgoers, who included a man who tried to recruit him out of high school almost 30 years ago.

"I know how Daniel felt in the lion's den," Austin began.

"I also know how it feels to be in a detention center where there are gang members," he said.

"That's right," said one member of the nondenominational church, which sits in a nondescript office building.

"Hallelujah," said another.

"But although I was in the middle of gang members, they called me 'Preacher Man,' " said Austin, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and white slacks.

The former North Carolina State University player and 10-year Globetrotter veteran went on to describe what he said was a series of trials placed by God in his path, including having his towel stolen by another inmate and being protected by a former church member who was also behind bars.

He also described a game he played on his last night in jail.

"I just knew they were going to make me play basketball," he said.

"The Glide," a former guard, found himself going up against a man who he said was 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds.

"All of a sudden I had a flashback to 1978 ... (and) I remembered a dunk I made," he said.

The church followed in rapt silence.

"I tried to do something, but my body said 'uh, uh.'

"So I threw the ball up and scored.

"The Lord works in mysterious ways," he concluded.

After the sermon, videos for sale called "God's Business Game Book and Business Planning Guide" lay untouched on a table at the rear of the church.

Austin, through his wife and co-pastor Patricia, declined comment for this story. But church members backed their pastor, describing the charges as a test from God.

Outside, David "Smokey" Gaines, a former assistant coach at the University of Detroit, who tried to recruit Austin in 1976 out of Richmond, Va.'s Maggie L. Walker High School, remembered the player.

"He could shoot and he was a good leader," said Gaines, who also played with the Globetrotters from 1963 to 1967.

"And he also was fair and up front with us, and not many kids are in that situation."

Austin turned Gaines down and went on to North Carolina State -- "they gave him a scholarship and it was closer to home," Gaines said.

Years later both men wound up living in Las Vegas. Gaines, who moved here in December, looked Austin up about a month ago -- shortly before the FBI and IRS investigation that led to the former ballplayer's arrest. Three other men, none from Nevada, were also arrested.

Austin was accused of bilking at least 200 churchgoers in North Carolina, Virginia, Missouri and Illinois of at least $10 million through pyramid-type investment schemes during the 1990s.

Austin pleaded not guilty at a June 16 arraignment and will remain free until his October trial.

"I know him and don't believe nothing like that could happen," Gaines said.

James Smith, an elder of the church, said Austin spent his time "out in the community, helping the less fortunate."

Lois Rogers, 55 and a member of Heaven's Light for one year, said Austin had never approached her about investing any money.

"He never asked me for anything," she said. "I don't see him cheating anybody out of money."

Mildred Sawyer, a 72-year-old member of the church since last year, said she was "surprised, but not worried" when she heard of the charges.

"I know he has a ... relationship to God ... (and) I figured it was a test," Sawyer said.

Sawyer began attending the church when it was located on Eastern Avenue near Desert Inn Road.

Eric Alpert was Austin's landlord for two years at that location -- until Austin fell two months behind in the rent. Alpert ended the contract with Austin in June of last year, after which Heaven's Light moved to its Henderson location.

At that time, Alpert said in an interview Friday, the congregation numbered from 50 to 75 people.

The pastor's former landlord also said that Austin never tried to interest him in any investment scheme.

"I was surprised to hear the news," Alpert said. "I always found him to walk what he talked."

Alpert also said the pastor told him the charges were "a big misunderstanding."

At Heaven's Light on Sunday, Austin remembered during his sermon his darkest hours in the North Las Vegas Detention Center.

"Lord, I know you love Job," he said.

"I know you love Joseph.

"But what about me?"