A Washington pastor accused of exploiting his congregation for millions of dollars is now facing federal charges.
Cristian Popescu, a pastor at Kirkland’s Passion for Christ church, has been indicted on allegations that he defrauded church members and other investors of $13 million.
The 46-year-old Bothell, Washington, resident allegedly persuaded investors to put money into his company by claiming that God had chosen them to help finance the business.
According to federal prosecutors, the alleged investment fraud began in 2015 through Followone Inc., a Bellevue-based startup Popescu portrayed as a major e-commerce marketplace and social media platform.
Prosecutors say he invented claims about millions of dollars in revenue, a rapidly rising stock price and plans for an upcoming Nasdaq initial public offering. Those representations allegedly convinced about 30 people to invest. In reality, investigators said, the platform consisted of nonfunctional webpages and dummy screens.
One victim invested nearly $1 million in one wire transfer; others were nearly $600,000 and $500,00, authorities said.
“At one point, Popescu claimed Followone Inc had a value of $1.4 billion, when he knew it had little or no value,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington said in a statement Wednesday.
Popescu allegedly told prospective investors that a $1 million contribution would qualify them for a seat on the company’s board. Prosecutors also said he urged some victims to withdraw money from retirement accounts and their children’s college savings to invest in Followone.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Lindsay Clancy Mistrial Juror Says Evidence Supported Conviction
Investigators allege that Popescu used shell companies to create the appearance of a thriving operation. In fact, prosecutors said, he used investor funds to pay fabricated invoices, directing the money to shell companies he controlled for his personal benefit.
“These charges allege that a religious leader abused the trust of his fellow believers to steal millions of dollars for his own personal benefit,” said W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office.
When investors demanded their money back, Popescu allegedly treated Followone as a personal bank account and told them they were “demonically possessed,” authorities said.
Prosecutors allege that more than $4.5 million was transferred directly to accounts belonging to Popescu, his wife and other family members. They also say he paid himself more than $1 million in purported wages between 2017 and 2024.
He allegedly placed his wife on the company payroll as well, paying her roughly $300,000 despite claims that she never worked for the business.
Popescu faces 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. He was arraigned Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle and released under electronic monitoring.
Wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, along with a possible $250,000 fine. His trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 21.
