A New York megachurch pastor couple has been accused of charging more than $900,000 of personal expenses on the church credit card over a period of nine years, including more than $50k in therapy, according to a report from Church Leaders.
Josh and Georgie Kelsey are the lead pastors of Fount New York City, a bustling multisite church. Recently, a former board member, David Chan, accused the church of misappropriating more than $1.4 million in church funds.
This includes $500,000 in unaccounted spending with no receipts or documented ministerial purpose, and $900,000 on personal expenses. According to a summary of emails he sent to congregants:
- When concerns were raised, the board was dissolved.
- A board member who spoke up was removed.
- Outside spiritual advisors were brought in, then all resigned.
- No independent oversight remains.
- The congregation was never given the reports.
Meanwhile, Pastor Kevin, Pastor Amy, and Pastor Olu sent messages backing Josh and Georgie and telling members:
- Nothing serious happened.
- All expenses were approved.
- People asking questions are being divisive or unsafe.
- People who have tried to ask for clarity are being sidelined or pushed out. The church has also blocked people on social media and turned off comments when members started asking about this publicly.
Accounting firm CapinCrouse, a CPA firm that specializes in auditing churches, gave a preliminary review of the church’s AMEX expenses between 2017 and 2025, finding:
They also found:
$3,587.50 spent on Alcohol
$25,005.74 spent on Clothing
$145,796.86 spent on Consumer Goods (including $78,319.17 from Amazon)
$28,761.73 spent on Electronics
$67,151.69 spent on Entertainment
o $11,821.92 on Sports
o $9,392.37 on Surfing
o $6,507.88 on Golf
o $2,234.73 on Amazon Video/Music/Kids
$118,853.31 spent on Food
$65,355.80 spent on Health
o $49,548.35 on Therapy
o $6,131.94 on Supplements
o $2,310.11 on Haircuts
o $1,665.01 on Spa
$39,926.60 spent on Internet/Phone
$29,802.14 spent on Parking (including $3,514.99 on Tickets/Fines)
$29,918.74 spent on Personal Flights (for family members)
$68,626.19 on Housing/Rentals unrelated to Travel
$48,202.23 on Vehicle Expenses
o$25,234.67 at Gas Stations
o $10,068.50 on Servicing
o $7,772.04 on Tesla charging
o $3,644.99 on Car Washes
o $1,482.03 on Roadside Assistance
In addition “$222,916.79 were unable to be classified due to lack of documentation
o $33,832.97 paid through Venmo to various individuals and undecipherable payees
o $25,617.50 payment to The Pixie and the Scout
o $16,665.47 paid through PayPal to various individuals and undecipherable payees”
The couple has denied misappropriating the money, saying it sounds worse than it is because the expenses were spread over a decade, and that they did nothing wrong.
