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Two Men Took $350K From Jersey City Church: Prosecutor

Two Franklin Lake residents were arrested this week and charged with theft and forgery related to construction work at a Jersey City church, authorities said.

St. George and St. Shenouda Coptic Church

St. George and St. Shenouda Coptic Church

Photo Credit: Google Maps

In 2021, Centurion Companies, a construction business owned by Christopher Poppe, 35, and Glen Poppe, 65, was hired by St. George and St. Shenouda Coptic Church in Jersey City to perform construction work, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarz said.

An investigation found the church issued Centurion Companies payments in excess for $350,000 to pay third-party contractors for additional services, Suarez said. Falsified records were submitted to the church indicating the third-party contractors were paid when the money had not been dispersed, Suarez said.

The Poppes were charged with theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft, Suarez said. Christopher Poppe is additionally charged with three counts of forgery, Suarez said. 

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