Cristian Popescu
Cristian Popescu is the pastor of Passion for Christ church in Kirkland, Washington. In October 2026 he was charged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington with ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering; he pleaded not guilty and trial was set for December 21, 2026. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Contents5 sections
Key facts
From 2015: The Investment Scheme Alleged by Prosecutors
Prosecutors allege that Popescu solicited investments from church members in FollowoneFollowoneFollowone is a U.S. internet company presenting its platform around social interaction, business promotion, and product and service listings through Followone.com and a mobile application.Open the full entry, Inc. in a $13 million scheme, describing it as an online marketplace for cars, real estate, healthcare, food and travel, although the platform was never operational.[1]
Prosecutors say that from as early as 2015 he claimed to own and operate the Bellevue company and valued it at $1.4 billion.[2]
The indictment alleges that the company had three employees and consisted of “non-functional screens,” and that he formed shell companies and required investors to sign nondisclosure agreements.[3]
He is also alleged to have assured investors that God had chosen them to invest.[4]
The indictment further alleges that when investors sought information or refunds he invoked his position in the church and said they were demonically possessed, and that he moved nearly $900,000 into a personal stock trading account.[5]
October 7, 2026Federal Indictment
On October 7, 2026, an indictment against him was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, case number 2:26-cr-00191-JHC.[6]
October 13, 2026Arraignment
On October 13, 2026, he was arraigned on ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering and pleaded not guilty; trial was set for December 21, 2026, and he was released on electronic monitoring pending trial.[2]
The charges are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.[7]
October 14, 2026Church Role Unclear
As of October 14, 2026, it was unclear whether he still led Passion for Christ church.[5]
Sources
- Washington Pastor Charged in Alleged $13 Million Fraud Scheme Targeting Church Members (opens in a new window)
- Pastor of Kirkland church indicted for wire fraud, money laundering in connection with $13M scheme (opens in a new window)
- Washington Pastor Charged in $13M Investment Scheme (opens in a new window)
- Pastor român din SUA, acuzat că a înșelat credincioși de 13 milioane de dolari. Le-ar fi spus că Dumnezeu i-a ales să investească (opens in a new window)
- Pastor allegedly bilked $13M from parishioners then called them demon-possessed for asking about money (opens in a new window)
- United States v. Cristian Popescu — Indictment, No. 2:26-cr-00191-JHC (opens in a new window)
- Pastor of Kirkland, Washington, church indicted on ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in $13 million fraud scheme (opens in a new window)