A former youth pastor at an Atlanta megachurch turned financial advisor has been added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list after he was indicted three years ago for allegedly defrauding dozens of investors of millions of dollars.
A spokesperson for Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, Georgia, confirmed to The Christian Post that Christopher Burns, 40, worked as a junior high ministry leader with the church from December 2007 to August 2011. The spokesperson also confirmed that the former youth leader’s father had worked at the church several years prior to the son’s employment.
Burns left the ministry in 2011 to become a financial advisor. Media reports say his whereabouts are unknown, but his vehicle was abandoned in a nearby parking garage. No one has heard from him since.
It was reported that Burns was last seen by his ex-wife and children on Sept. 24, 2020, one day before he was scheduled to relinquish documents related to his business to the Securities and Exchange Commission. On the day he went missing, Burns and his wife had agreed to a divorce and their home and other assets were given to her.
“Burns is charged for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from clients in an illegal investment fraud scheme,” Keri Farley, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said in a statement. “Financial crimes of this nature can cause significant disruptions to the lives of those who are victimized, and the FBI is dedicated to holding these criminals accountable.”
A federal grand jury charged Burns with 10 counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud and four counts of money laundering on April 11. He was also previously charged in another complaint on Oct. 23, 2020, with one count of mail fraud, authorities said.
In the latest case against him, Burns is alleged to have defrauded his victims of at least $10 million by falsely claiming to investors that he could pool their money to invest in low-risk businesses and charities, which were secured by collateral and personal guarantees.
Burns’ son, Philip, told The Daily Beast that “he recalled visiting Disney World with his family in Orlando, Florida, when he was 10. But he noted that in the years before his father disappeared, the trips increased to at least twice a year.”
The former youth pastor’s ex-wife also told The Daily Beast that the former youth pastor suggested he divorce her and transfer assets into her name “in a bid to provide for her and their two sons.” She said they also went on multiple Disney-themed cruises and bought a timeshare.
“He was obsessed with Disney,” Philip Burns said. “He was a Disney adult.”
Farley also said in a statement, “The FBI is still seeking the public’s help in locating Burns and will continue to pursue him no matter how long he tries to evade the law. {eoa}
Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.
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