Expelled Church Member Sent 'Vulgar' Emails Over T-Shirt Dispute

A 61-year-old man who was expelled from a Tinley church 10 years ago has started harassing current members again over a T-shirt idea.

An employee of the church said the man believes the church is trying to steal his idea of marketing Christian-themed T-shirts, according to a Tinley Park police report. He had previously made harassing phone calls and sent emails to the church six years ago and started up again with a series of emails that began on Sept. 6 and continued through Sept. 9.

The church employee described the emails as "vulgar and insulting but not overly alarming," the report states. He believes the sender, who has addresses listed in Monee and Iowa, is suffering from mental illness and is delusional.

The former church member reportedly thinks the federal, state and local governments and police also are out to snatch the idea, the report states.

While there have not been any acts of violence, the church employee said the ex-member made threats in the past and was willing to press charges. The man was expelled a decade ago because of threats against church members and staff.

No arrests were reported.