According to federal prosecutors, the pastor, identified as Popescu, leads Passion for Christ, a Christian congregation in Kirkland. He allegedly persuaded investors to put money into Followone Inc., a Bellevue-based startup he described as an e-commerce platform and social network, claiming that God had chosen them to fund the business.
Prosecutors alleged that Popescu fabricated information about the company’s revenue, stock value and plans to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange to attract about 30 investors. He reportedly claimed the company was worth $1.4 billion despite allegedly knowing it had little or no value.
He allegedly promised investors positions on the company’s board in exchange for $1 million investments and encouraged some to withdraw money from their retirement accounts and their children’s college savings. One investor reportedly transferred nearly $1 million in a single transaction.
Investigators further alleged that Popescu used shell companies and f@ke invoices to divert investors’ funds for personal benefit. More than $4.5 million was allegedly transferred into accounts belonging to him, his wife and other family members.
Between 2017 and 2024, he also allegedly paid himself more than $1 million in wages and placed his wife on the company’s payroll for approximately $300,000, despite claims that she never worked for the business.
When investors demanded refunds, Popescu allegedly told them they were “dem%nically possessed.”
He faces 10 counts of wire fr@ud and five counts of money l@undering. Following his arraignment at a US District Court in Seattle, he was released under electronic monitoring.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each wire fr@ud count and up to 10 years for each money l@undering count, in addition to possible fines. His trial is scheduled for December 21.
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