By: Richard L. Smith
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit has arrested two men in connection with a reported theft of more than $350,000 from a church in Jersey City.
Christopher Poppe, 35, and Glen Poppe, 65, both residents of Franklin Lakes, were taken into custody following an investigation into the incident.
According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the charges stem from work that Centurion Companies, a business associated with the Poppes, was contracted to perform for St. George & St. Shenouda Coptic Church in Jersey City in 2021.
The church had hired Centurion Companies to handle construction work and issued payments exceeding $350,000, which were meant to cover the costs of third-party contractors for additional services.
The investigation revealed that falsified records were submitted to the church, falsely indicating that payments had been made to third-party contractors, when in fact the money had not been distributed as intended.
Christopher Poppe and Glen Poppe were arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus—Christopher on October 8, 2024, and Glen on October 10, 2024.
Both men have been released pending their first court appearance, scheduled for October 15, 2024.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office continues to investigate the matter.