A Romanian pastor was accused in the US of fraud and money laundering in a $13 million case

Romanian pastor Cristian Popescu, aged 46, has been charged in the United States with ten counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege that he obtained approximately $13 million from more than 30 investors, including members of the church he leads in Kirkland, Washington.

According to the indictment, Popescu allegedly promoted Followone Inc., a company he claimed owned a successful online platform and was set to be listed on Nasdaq. Investigators, however, allege that the platform was largely nonfunctional and that the pastor used websites, false press releases, and luxurious offices to create the appearance of a prosperous business.

Prosecutors say that Popescu persuaded his congregants to invest savings, loans, or funds intended for their children's education, also invoking the community's religious mission. More than $4.5 million allegedly ended up in his and his family's accounts, while other sums were allegedly used for personal expenses and stock-market transactions.

Popescu pleaded not guilty before the Federal Court in Seattle. He was released pending trial under electronic monitoring, despite prosecutors' opposition. The trial is scheduled to begin on December 21, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire-fraud charge and up to ten years for money laundering.