The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Argentina faces money laundering suspicions over cash deposits between 2010 and 2014

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (IURD), known in Argentina as the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, has come under scrutiny for alleged money laundering activities. The investigation began with an inspection by the Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP) related to the patrimonial situation of Ricardo Alberto Cis, an entrepreneur and pastor associated with the Church. This led to a complaint by AFIP to the Federal Justice of San Isidro in 2006 for aggravated tax evasion. The case was closed a decade later after amendments to the criminal tax law reduced the offense to simple evasion. However, another case emerged in the Federal Economic Penal Court, which has not yet been fully disclosed.

The Argentine branch of the IURD, founded in Brazil by evangelical leader and media tycoon Edir Macedo, is now under judicial review for “quantitative increases in cash deposits” between 2010 and 2014. These deposits, totaling over 830 million pesos (approximately 100 million dollars), were flagged as potentially linked to money laundering due to the lack of verified legal origins for the funds. The Church responded by asserting that the money came from tithes given anonymously during liturgical services, making it difficult to trace the donors.

The case has come to light through cross-border research by the Latin American Center for Journalistic Research (CLIP) and Columbia Journalism Investigations (CJI), in collaboration with 10 regional media outlets. This investigation, titled “Paraísos de Dinero y Fe,” has revealed the judicial case against the IURD for the first time. The Church opened its first headquarters in Argentina in 1990 and has since expanded to 281 temples across the country, with 13 in Buenos Aires and 120 in the Buenos Aires province.

The exact number of followers remains undisclosed, as the Church did not respond to inquiries from Infobae. Social scientist Mariela Mosquiere from the University of Buenos Aires notes that while the IURD has grown significantly, its expansion in terms of parishioners has not been as successful as its physical presence suggests.

The investigation highlights the complex financial operations of a religious institution with a substantial presence in Argentina. As the case unfolds, it raises questions about the transparency and accountability of such organizations, particularly in the context of financial regulations and legal compliance. The situation underscores the need for vigilance in ensuring that all entities, regardless of their nature, operate within the bounds of the law and uphold the principles of justice and integrity.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)