A Bothell man accused of defrauding more than 30 investors, many of them members of a Kirkland church he led, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Seattle on Oct. 13, 2026. Cristian Popescu, 46, faces 10 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering in a case prosecutors say involved about $13 million. His trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 21, 2026. A judge ordered him released on electronic monitoring over prosecutors’ objections. The indictment alleges Popescu recruited investors through Passion for Christ, a Kirkland Christian congregation where he was pastor, and promoted Followone Inc., a Bellevue company he said operated a global online marketplace and social network. Prosecutors say the platform did not function as promised and had little or no value. According to the indictment, Popescu told church members that investing would support the church’s mission and that their money would stay with the company and remain available for withdrawal. Prosecutors allege he instead diverted investor funds for personal expenses and day trading. “​​These charges allege that a religious leader abused the trust of his fellow believers to steal millions of dollars for his own personal benefit,” said W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. Prosecutors say Popescu used promotional materials, company websites and rented Bellevue office space to present Followone as a successful business. He allegedly claimed the company had 20 employees, although three people worked there, and said it could eventually be worth $1.4 billion. The company was later evicted from its offices with more than $350,000 in unpaid rent, the indictment alleges. The indictment also says Popescu urged some investors to take out loans, draw on retirement funds or use children’s college savings. Those who invested at least $1 million were allegedly offered board positions. Prosecutors further allege he used shell companies and false invoices to make company transactions appear legitimate. When investors sought their money back, Popescu allegedly said withdrawals could disrupt a planned stock listing. The indictment says he sometimes invoked his position in the church during disputes and accused skeptical investors of being demonically possessed. Prosecutors allege that more than $4.5 million was transferred from Followone to accounts belonging to Popescu, his wife and other family members. They also say he paid himself more than $1 million in company wages from 2017 to 2024, and paid his wife about $300,000 despite her not working for Followone. The wire-fraud charges include alleged solicitations and investment transfers, including one investor’s nearly $1 million wire payment. The money-laundering counts concern alleged transfers of Followone funds into Popescu’s personal account. Popescu is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Wire fraud carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count; money laundering carries up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine per count.