UPDATED::Kirbyjon Caldwell - Houston megachurch pastor and spiritual adviser to George W. Bush - indicted on fraud charges - Houston Chronicle

 UPDATE::  Guilty plea in fraud case; megachurch pastor awaits trial

A Louisiana investment adviser pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a $3.5 million case that also involves a minister who was once a spiritual adviser to former President George W. Bush.

Gregory Alan Smith, 55, of Shreveport, is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 11, U.S. Attorney David Joseph said in a news release.

The sentencing date is nine days after the scheduled start of trial for Kirbyjon Caldwell, who officiated at the 2008 wedding of Bush’s daughter Jenna and remains pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, a Houston megachurch.

Smith and Caldwell were charged last year on 12 counts each of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Caldwell has pleaded not guilty.

 A prominent Houston pastor and spiritual adviser to President George W. Bush has been indicted on federal charges that he sold millions of dollars in worthless Chinese bonds to elderly and vulnerable investors, according to federal authorities.

Kirbyjon H. Caldwell, 64, and Shreveport financial planner Gregory Alan Smith, 55, were charged with 13 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering.

Caldwell is accused of using his position as the senior pastor of the Windsor Village United Methodist Church to help lure nearly $3.5 million in investments into historic Chinese bonds that are not recognized by the Chinese government. He and Smith told investors they could see returns as high as 15 times their initial investment, according to the indictment.

Kirbyjon Caldwell - Houston megachurch pastor and spiritual adviser to George W. Bush - indicted on fraud charges - Houston Chronicle