Brian Houston, the former leader of the global Pentecostal megachurch Hillsong, has been charged with driving under the influence in the US.

Houston was charged in Orange County, Californiain February last year, after a blood test alcohol reading of 0.08, according to court records obtained by News Corp.

Hillsong said in a statement that the church recently became aware of Houston’s allegations.

“Hillsong’s global board and leadership did not learn that Pastor Brian Houston had been charged in the US with DUI until he resigned as pastor of Hillsong,” the church said in a statement.

“Since he was no longer in the state, it was Pastor Brian’s personal matter.

Hillsong (pictured) said in a statement that the church recently became aware of Houston’s allegations

Hillsong said in a statement that the church recently became aware of Houston’s allegations.

“As always, we continue to pray for the Houston family.”

Houston stepped down as leader of Hillsong last year and has since faced allegations of financial misconduct by independent MP Andrew Wilkie.

Huston (pictured) is also fighting allegations that he covered up the sexual abuse of his late father’s children and has pleaded not guilty to concealing a crime before his father’s death in 2004

Mr Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to accuse Houston of “treating private jets like Ubers”, claiming he had spent $179,000 of church money in three months on air travel.

Houston is also fighting allegations that he covered up the sexual abuse of his late father’s children and has pleaded not guilty to concealing a crime before his father’s death in 2004.

The case remains in the courts, hearings will resume in June.

AAP has contacted Houston’s legal representative for comment.