Feds Say Buffalo Grove Pastor Fleeced His Flock In $2 Million Rehab Scam

Federal prosecutors have charged Buffalo Grove minister Winston Batino with defrauding roughly 40 members of his congregation out of about $2 million, according to court filings. Batino is facing federal counts of wire fraud and filing a false federal income tax return and appeared in federal court this week. He waived indictment, entered a not guilty plea, and was released on bond, with a status hearing set for next month.

What prosecutors allege

Prosecutors say Batino ran the investment scheme from February 2020 through May 2025, according to court documents. They allege he pitched investors on a high-end drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility that never got off the ground. About $2 million was reportedly collected from roughly 40 people, many of them members of his own church, under written agreements that promised repayment.

Instead, investigators say Batino used investor money to pay off earlier investors and to cover personal expenses that included gambling. One specific transaction cited in the federal case is a January 8, 2025 electronic transfer of about $46,500 from a Skokie church member into an account Batino controlled, identified as a charged wire fraud count and reported by the Daily Herald.

Church response and court steps

Batino appeared in federal court earlier Monday, where he formally waived indictment, pleaded not guilty, and was allowed to remain free on bond while the case moves forward. The Chicago Church of Christ — North Ministry Center says it first learned of the allegations in May 2025 and immediately removed him from his pastoral role, bringing in outside help to sort through what happened.

"The Church was neither engaged in nor complicit in Mr. Batino’s actions," church leaders said, as highlighted by FOX 32 Chicago, noting they hired former federal prosecutor Chris Parente to conduct an independent probe that concluded with a final report in April 2026. A separate civil complaint filed in Cook County also accuses Batino of misleading investors and alleges that his wife took part in some of the transactions.

Where the case goes from here

The criminal counts, wire fraud and filing a false federal income tax return, are detailed in federal filings and were reported by CBS News Chicago. If convicted, Batino could face up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge, along with additional penalties for the tax offense, sentencing exposure outlined in reporting by the Daily Herald.

Victims and church leaders say they are looking to the federal court process for answers and restitution, while investigators continue to dig into the alleged scheme and where the money went.