A Washington state pastor is accused of persuading members of his church to invest millions of dollars in a company he allegedly portrayed as a successful online marketplace, then using their money for personal expenses and stock trading.
Cristian Popescu, 46, of Bothell, Washington, faces 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in the alleged $13 million scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Popescu, pastor of Passion for Christ, a Christian congregation in Kirkland, pleaded not guilty when he appeared in federal court in Seattle.
Prosecutors allege Popescu used his religious leadership to recruit more than 30 investors for Followone Inc., a Bellevue company he claimed operated a global marketplace and social
network. The indictment alleges the platform was largely nonfunctional and that Popescu misled investors about the company's success.
How did the alleged investment scheme work?
According to the indictment, Popescu began soliciting investments as early as 2015, claiming Followone allowed users to buy and sell goods and services, including cars, real estate, health care, food and travel.
He allegedly told investors the company was generating millions in revenue, preparing for a Nasdaq stock exchange listing and increasing the value of their investments. Prosecutors say those claims were false.
Popescu also allegedly told church members that God had chosen them to invest and that their money would advance the church's mission. He encouraged some investors to tap retirement accounts, take out personal or home equity loans and use their children's college savings, according to prosecutors.
USA TODAY reached out to Passion for Christ, as well as Popescu's attorney, for comment.
How did the pastor allegedly use the money?
Prosecutors allege Popescu used misleading press releases, expensive office space in Bellevue and claims of having 20 employees to make Followone appear successful. The indictment says only three people worked at the company.
He allegedly used shell companies, or businesses used to conceal the true nature of financial transactions, to make Followone appear to have legitimate business relationships. Prosecutors say investor funds were used to pay fake invoices before being transferred to companies he controlled.
Popescu allegedly transferred more than $4.5 million in Followone funds to accounts belonging to himself, his wife and other family members. He also paid himself more than $1 million in company wages between 2017 and 2024 and paid his wife about $300,000, although she did not work for Followone.
At one point, Popescu allegedly claimed Followone was worth $1.4 billion, despite knowing the company had little or no value. The company was eventually evicted from its offices with more than $350,000 in unpaid rent.
When investors sought their money back, Popescu allegedly told them repayment would interfere with the planned stock listing. The indictment also alleges he invoked his position in the church and accused skeptical investors of being demonically possessed.
What happens next?
Popescu was ordered released on electronic monitoring while awaiting trial, despite prosecutors' objections. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 21, 2026.
Wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count. Money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count.
The FBI and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Washington pastor indicted in alleged $13 million fraud scheme
