Northwest suburban minister charged in $2 million fraud scheme

A Northwest suburban minister is charged with defrauding church members of at least $2 million.

Winston Batino, a minister formerly associated with the Chicago Church of Christ — North Ministry Center, which meets in Buffalo Grove, faces charges of wire fraud and filing a false federal income tax return.

Federal prosecutors said he defrauded roughly 40 victims, most of them members of a church identified as “Church A,” over a more than five-year period.

According to court documents, Batino’s scheme ran from February 2020 through May 2025.

Prosecutors allege he told victims their money would be invested in non-existent luxury rehabilitation facilities and signed agreements promising to repay investors in full.

Instead of investing the funds, prosecutors say, Batino used the money to pay other victims and to cover personal expenses, including gambling.

The wire fraud charge stems from a Jan. 8, 2025 transaction. Prosecutors claim Batino arranged the electronic transfer of about $46,500 from a Skokie church member into an account he controlled.

A second count charges Batino with filing a false 2021 federal income tax return. Prosecutors allege that on his return, filed Oct. 17, 2022, he reported total income of $195,071, when he knew his actual income substantially exceeded that amount.

Batino could face up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count and up to three years on the tax charge.

The Chicago Church of Christ leadership issued a statement saying it first learned of the allegations in May 2025 and noting Batino’s firing.

“He has not been employed by or a part of our fellowship since that time. His termination and disfellowship occurred immediately after we became aware of his alleged fraud scheme,” it read.

The church commissioned an internal investigation led by former federal prosecutor Chris Parente.

The final report was submitted in April 2026.

“While we are grateful to report the investigation found that the Church was neither engaged in nor complicit in Mr. Batino’s actions, we remain deeply troubled and saddened by his breach of trust,” the statement continued. “We continue to support the victims connected to this case and seek justice for the wrongs that have harmed so many.”

Batino’s attorney was contacted, but declined to comment.