Kirkland Pastor Faces Charges in Alleged $13M Fraud

Cristian Popescu, pastor of Passion for Christ Church in Kirkland, Washington, pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in a federal case alleging a $13 million investment fraud. Prosecutors say he used his Bellevue company, Followone, to solicit investments from more than 30 people, including church members, presenting a nonfunctional website as a thriving online marketplace and social network and making false claims about revenue, investment growth, technology and an impending Nasdaq listing. The indictment alleges he invoked his pastoral role and told church members God had chosen them to invest, then diverted investor money for personal expenses, luxuries and day trading. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 21, 2026, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.