We all know that a trip to Walt Disney World is expensive. It's one of those times when we just close our eyes and add up the money we spent when the trip is over, and the memories are fresh in our heads, making paying that credit card bill easier. There are always things at Disney World that we wish we could do, but there are limits on what we can spend.
Most would never consider stealing to get what they want at Disney World. It's just wrong, and at the very least, it would taint the experience for all of us. But some people are willing to do anything to get what they want.
Former Georgia Pastor Chris Burns is accused of stealing millions of dollars from investors in a Ponzi Scheme that helped to fuel his lavish lifestyle. Burns allegedly took the money for, among other things, dozens of lavish vacations to Disney World and Disney Cruises and even to purchase a Disney Vacation Club.
According to a filing by the Securities and Exchange Commission released this week, Burns allegedly sold more than 70 promissory notes to dozens of investors in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. Burns told his investors that the low-risk promissory notes would be loaned to businesses that needed financing with "little to no risk." Burns promised his investors at least a 20 percent return on their investments.
Former Pastor Chris Burns is wanted by the FBI. Credit: FBI
Related: Pastor Attempted to Use Covid Relief Money to Buy Golden Oak Mansion.
Burns started his career in ministry at the Perimeter Church in Georgia. His father was a long-time pastor at the church, and Burns began his career there under this father. In 2011, Burns moved away from ministry and started his life insurance company, then he quickly transitioned into the financial world.
In 2017, Burns and his family moved to Atlanta so that Burns would "increase his brand." There he started a weekly radio show, The Chris Burns Show, whose purpose was to "unpack how this week's headlines practically impact your life, wallet, and future." Through his show and television appearances, Burns started to get investors in his company, Dynamic Money.
According to the SEC, Burns used his clients' money to fund his lifestyle, which included a $1 million lake house but mainly focused on family trips to Walt Disney World Resort. Burns and his family would travel to Orlando at least twice a year and took several Disney cruises from 2017-2020. Burns' son, Phillip, described his father as a "Disney Dad."
Burns also used the money for VIP Tours of the Magic Kingdom, which cost $8,000 a day, and to purchase a Disney Vacation Club Membership. Burns also paid for a Disney trip for his neighbor's entire family.
His son, Phillip, told the Daily Beast:
Originally when I learned that, whenever I would think about it for months, I would become physically sick. I just felt so guilty and awful. Just me f-ing around at Magic Kingdom was [funded] by other people's funds. I still feel awful.
In August 2020, the SEC told Burns that he was the subject of an inquiry. A month later, Burns disappeared without a trace. The FBI found his abandoned car in a parking garage and $78,000 in cashier's checks.
Credit: 2WSB-TV
Since his disappearance, Burns had a $12 million default judgment from the SEC's complaint against him. Last week, some of his former investors filed a class action suit against him, and he has been Federally indicted on 10 charges related to his alleged Ponzi Scheme.
Burns has been placed on the FBI's 10-Most Wanted List, and asks anyone with information on Burns to call (770) 216-3000.
We will continue to update you on this story at Disney Fanatic.
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