"I don't think there's any way he can make it back into the big time," Anthony says. "He needs to go back on the air periodically to rejuvenate his mailing list, but I think he'll continue to be a minor player...There are too many questions out there about his practices."
Anthony, a former government spy, millionaire businessman, and candidate for the Texas Legislature, underwent a religious awakening in 1972. After a stint as a religious talk-show host, he founded a small community of believers in East Dallas who attempt to live like early Christian apostles. The group also monitors and investigates televangelists, sometimes with a vengeance. Virtually everything that is known about Robert Tilton's business operation and off-air lifestyle has come from documents and recordings gathered by Trinity Foundation members during their periodic undercover forays and trash sorties.
Are Trinity operatives gearing up for a duel in the sun, a special project in South Florida? "There's no question we will continue to monitor Mr. Tilton's activities," Anthony says, "as long as he continues to invite himself into people's living rooms and mailboxes."
The two other preachers who shared ABC's PrimeTime Live spotlight with Tilton six years ago have long since exited the airwaves, though W.V. Grant is back in the pulpit in Dallas after serving time for tax fraud.
As for Tilton, he was observed at the Miami Beach Marina one recent Friday night. At first, the self-described "apple of God's eye" sat alone with his thoughts and a plate of stone crabs. Then a well-wisher sidled up and engaged him in conversation. Finally Tilton paid his tab and departed, generously donating the remains of his stone crabs to his new admirer.
Outside he bore west across the MacArthur Causeway, then ducked into the Fisher Island Ferry terminal to avoid pursuit by a reporter.
According to a representative of Fort Lauderdale yacht broker Chic Marine, his boat was repossessed by the finance company earlier this year.
"He loved that boat," says a secretary, who wouldn't give her name. "But he let the bank take it back so the wife couldn't get it in the divorce."
"Your source is a damn liar," Joyce retorts. "Bob just couldn't pay the bills. He spent everything he had on that woman in 18 months and now he simply has no money left."
Joyce says Tilton's recent trip to Israel and Europe was an opportunity to line up locations for future live broadcasts. He promises his client will be back in Dallas to preach in November and December.
Surprisingly, Joyce says even he doesn't know where Tilton hangs his hat.
"I don't have the foggiest idea," he says. "But if I did, I wouldn't tell you. We were audited by the IRS. We were investigated by the FBI. We had 12 lawsuits filed against us. You tell me: How could anyone stand up under this? The depositions, the interviews, the allegations. This an honest minister that has all but been destroyed by the media. But he survived. He feels very comfortable wherever he's at down there in Florida.
