Federal prosecutors have indicted the founder of a Georgia-based church organization in a sprawling fraud case that allegedly exploited military members and veterans for personal gain over nearly twenty years.
According to Fox News, authorities allege that Rony Denis and several associates used their religious organization to conduct schemes that included fraudulent real estate purchases, fake tax filings, and misuse of military education benefits totaling more than $22 million.
The indictment, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, charges Denis, the leader of House of Prayer Christian Churches of America, and seven other church leaders. The charges include bank fraud, wire fraud, misuse of benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the filing of fraudulent joint tax returns.
Denis, a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2002, is accused of using his influence within the religious group to manipulate and control members for the purpose of enriching himself and the organization. Prosecutors contend that the church executed various financial schemes dating back to 2004, committing what they describe as systematic fraud against vulnerable groups, particularly military veterans.
On Wednesday, FBI agents carried out a raid at a residence in Columbia County, Georgia, near Augusta. Arrests were made during the raid, which is part of the ongoing legal proceedings. While officials confirmed the operation, they withheld the identities of those taken into custody.
Defendants Allegedly Profited from Veterans' GI Bill Benefits
The federal indictment names several co-defendants in the case: Anthony Oloans, 54; Joseph Fryar, 51; Dennis Nostrand, 55; Gerard Robertson, 57; David Reip, 52; Marcus Labat, 42; and Omar Garcia, 40. Each is accused of participating in parts of the expansive scheme through financial, administrative, or spiritual roles in the church.
Prosecutors believe church leaders covertly signed up their members for real estate purchases that they did not benefit from. These fraudulent transactions, often committed by using members as "straw buyers," allowed the church to secure mortgages in their names. Later, the properties were transferred to entities controlled by church leadership, while delinquent mortgages and defaulted loans piled up. Between 2018 and 2020, church-operated properties allegedly generated more than $5.2 million in untaxed rental income. During that same timeframe, most mortgages were allowed to fall into default while church leaders sustained gains from rental profits, according to authorities.
Tax Fraud and Financial Coercion Under Scrutiny
The indictment also claims Denis submitted false joint tax returns in 2018 through 2020. Those filings reportedly led to substantial tax refunds totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, furthering the financial advantage church leaders held over their manipulated members.
In connection with the education fraud allegations, prosecutors outlined a pattern where church-affiliated Bible seminaries were used to falsely certify veterans under the GI Bill programs. Funds intended for these veterans’ education were ultimately channeled to the church and its affiliated businesses, according to court documents. Officials said extensive manipulation tactics were allegedly used by Denis and others to maintain control over members. This included managing their financial accounts, holding personal information, and organizing divorces and property transfers without their independent consent.
The FBI Previously Raided Associated Churches in 2022
In 2022, the FBI conducted operations at multiple House of Prayer locations in Georgia and Texas. The targeted churches were situated near military installations, including Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart, and Fort Hood. Authorities later initiated a forfeiture action for close to $150,000, asserting the funds were improperly obtained from service members.
Paul Brown, FBI Atlanta’s special agent in charge, said the accused individuals took advantage of the trust placed in them by their followers. “The defendants are accused of exploiting trust, faith, and even the service of our nation’s military members to enrich themselves,” Brown stated. He added that religious affiliation does not exempt individuals from legal responsibility. “This indictment makes clear that using coercion, manipulation, and fraud under the guise of religion will not shield wrongdoers from accountability,” Brown said.
Massive Investigation Spanned Multiple States and Years
Prosecutors said the investigation into HOPCC’s operations involved a large-scale effort across the country. More than 200 grand jury subpoenas were sent, and authorities reviewed over 175 bank accounts tied to church entities and related individuals. Five search warrants were executed across four states. Federal law enforcement agencies conducted numerous interviews and reviewed a significant amount of evidence, including over 100 electronic devices and 80 boxes of documents. In total, the investigation uncovered transactions and holdings linked to between 150 and 200 different properties implicated in the alleged crimes.
Legal Representation and Citizenship Status Remain in Focus
Denis is represented by attorney Steven Sadow, who previously served as Donald Trump’s lead counsel in his Georgia election-related case. Sadow has not publicly commented on the new charges against his client. The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to provide further details about Denis’s citizenship beyond his 2002 naturalization. Legal experts expect that more information about his background and role in church operations will emerge as the case proceeds.
At this stage, none of the defendants has entered pleas, and trial dates have not yet been announced. The prosecution’s case is expected to center on evidence collected over years of covert investigation and internal surveillance.
