Megachurch Financial Monster Steals Millions From Church [Video]

A former accountant of a megachurch has admitted to stealing over four million dollars from the worship center’s treasury. In federal court, he pled guilty to wire fraud in connection with a multi-million scheme against his former employer. The case was investigated by the FBI.

Donald Gridiron, 51, of Pomona, California, admitting to defrauding the Agape Worship Center (Center) out of $4.25 million while serving as an accountant for the non-denominational church. He diverted funds to himself in 900 separate transactions ranging in amount from $1,000 to $20,000. The Center, located in Rahway, NJ, hired Gridiron, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), partly on his connections with individuals in the religious community. The Center agreed to pay Gridiron a monthly salary of $5,500 and to reimburse him up to $500 per month for reasonable expenses related to his work. He worked for the church from May, 2007 to March 2014, using his position to siphon money from the church’s bank account. He then redirected the funds for his own use, including mortgage payments, luxury car payments, and gambling expenses. He also failed to report income on his tax returns.              

According to the FBI:

A California CPA today admitted abusing his positions at a worship center in New Jersey and a non-profit in California to steal more than $4 million, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Donald Gridiron, 51, of Pomona, California, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

A religious facility located in Rahway, New Jersey, hired Gridiron based, in part, on his connections with individuals in the religious community as well as his standing within that community. The religious facility agreed to pay Gridiron a monthly salary and reimburse him for reasonable expenses related to his work. In addition, Gridiron was the treasurer for a non-profit entity registered in California.