PASTOR OF KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, CHURCH INDICTED ON TEN COUNTS OF WIRE FRAUD AND FIVE COUNTS OF MONEY LAUNDERING IN $13 MILLION FRAUD SCHEME

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for XXXXXX (insert district) issued the following press release:

Seattle - The pastor of a Kirkland, Washington Christian congregation called 'Passion for Christ,' was arraigned today in U.S. District Court in Seattle on an indictment for wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a $13 million fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Cristian Popescu, 46, of Bothell, Washington, is a citizen of Romania, residing in the United States. Popescu pleaded not guilty and trial is set for December 21, 2026.

"As alleged in the indictment, this defendant created the mirage of a successful, valuable online marketplace and social media site...