N.J. Megachurch Lost $4 Million: 'Trusted' Accountant Admits To Theft

By ERIC.KIEFER (Patch Staff)

September 1, 2015

The former accountant of a Rahway megachurch has admitted to stealing more than $4 million from the worship center’s coffers.

On Tuesday in Newark federal court, Donald Gridiron, 51, of Pomona, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a multi-million scheme against his former employer, the Agape Family Worship Center.

According to court documents, Gridiron used his position at the megachurch – which is located on a 4.5-acre campus and serves around 5,000 parishioners – to siphon off money from the church’s bank account.

Gridiron 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, including $950,000 he stole during 2011, authorities stated.

The church paid Gridiron $5,500 a month in addition to a $500 monthly expense account, according to court documents.

Gridiron was arrested and indicted for embezzlement in December of 2014.

A financial affairs statement Gridiron submitted during a subsequent bankruptcy filing claimed that he made $4.8 million in “gambling winnings,” Courthouse News reported.

In a public statement released shortly after Gridiron’s arrest, the church’s board members criticized their former accountant’s actions while emphasizing a message of forgiveness.

“We were betrayed by a trusted, certified public accounting professional who without authorization, secretly accessed our church accounts, improperly took millions of dollars, and then took systematic steps to cover up his dishonesty,” Pastor Lawrence Powell stated.

“We are a loving church. We operate on God’s Kingdom principles. We are praying for our former CPA.”

The charge of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

The charge of filing a false tax return is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14.

File photo via Flickr