I think you'll find that the first amendment is much more limited in strength than you would like to think. There is a long history of the US courts abrogating

I think you'll find that the first amendment is much more limited in strength than you would like to think. There is a long history of the US courts abrogating free speech. "Shouting fire in a crowded theater" originated as a metaphor to justify preventing pacifists from distributing anti-draft pamphlets. If the televangelist can be demonstrated in court to not believe the stuff he is telling people to make money, I see no reason why fraud charges shouldn't stick.