Feds shut down Trek for "deceptive practices"A multi level marketing (MLM) scheme called "Trek Alliance," the brainchild of Kale Flagg and Rich Von, has been shut down by order of the United States Federal Trade Commission.
On December 6, 2002 the United States Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing practices against Trek, subsequently a federal judge issued a Temporary Restraining Order and appointed a receiver to control the company's frozen assets.
But the first action actually taken against Trek was last December, when the State of Wisconsin filed a complaint alleging "misrepresentations and other unlawful practices."
Flagg and Von were formerly associated with Equinox, another MLM founded by their mentor Bill Gouldd. Equinox was closed and later liquidated through federal action.
Now any visitors to the Trek website will see an announcement posted by Robb Evans, its Temporary Receiver. Evans was the receiver who liquidated Gouldd's Equinox.
Many complaints were generated by Trek and some were posted at my website as either personal stories or visitor comments within a designated archive.
Trek typically preyed upon young urban professionals or recent college graduates looking for work.
Trek often cold called people who posted their resumes on Internet websites such as HotJobs.com, Monster.com. and/or FlipDog.com. The company also placed misleading ads for job opportunities in local newspapers.
Their usual pitch was that job interviews were taking place and appointments were available. People who came in would then be subjected to an elaborate recruitment effort to pull them into the MLM. And instead of being offered a salary, they would be asked to buy "starter kits."
Trek gained an increasingly bad reputation, so they used an array of different names such as "Majestic Enterprise" in Minnesota, "Bay State Marketing Group" in Massachusetts, "Liberty Alliance" in Pennsylvania, "Bay Street Marketing" in Florida, "Chesapeake Group" in Maryland, "Carolina Marketing" in North Carolina, "Midwest Alliance" in Indiana, "Dynamics International" in Illinois, "Pacific Alliance" in California and "Mountain Edge Alliance" in Arizona.
Largely due to the effectiveness of the Internet through websites like MLM Survivor, the Rip Off Report and my own Rick Ross.com, potential victims of Trek were able to access information quickly before becoming involved. This helped many people avoid being taken in and exploited by the MLM.
Some former Trek associates were virtually wiped out financially. It was not uncommon for the MLM's victims to run up their credit cards and seek loans to fund their participation in Trek, putting them deeply in debt.
Trek, like many other MLM schemes popular in the United States and around the world, seems to sell "dreams." Specifically, "get rich quick" dreams. And within the group environment Trek created some felt that dream was promoted through a kind of "cult like" "brainwashing," which apparently was Trek's real business.
MLMs represent an unregulated industry with a troubled history and anyone considering involvement should understand that. Trek and Equinox are cautionary examples.
MLMs may provide money for those at the top, but it seems that too often little if any meaningful income flows to the distributors below and/or near the bottom.
Before becoming involved in any MLM, due diligence is important. And that process of examination should include an understanding of "What's Wrong With MLMs."
As always, "Let the buyer beware."
[Posted by Rick Ross at 09:13 AM][Link]
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Mormons baptized Hitler?The Mormon Church has a rather odd practice of baptizing the dead.
They believe that by placing faithful members as stand-ins for the deceased they can offer the dead a last chance to receive salvation.
According to a researcher Hitler is listed as a completed baptism, as is Stalin and Ghengis Khan, reports Associated Press.
But not only do the bad need baptism according to Mormons, so do the good. Buddha and the Catholic Saint Joan of Arc are listed along with Anne Frank, a victim of Hitler’s Holocaust.
Sound crazy?
Well according to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) their baptism is the only way to reach the “Celestial Kingdom,” which is according to Mormonism, the best neighborhood in heaven.
Two lower and seemingly less “heavenly” neighborhoods are also available, they say.
So Mormons gather genealogy information to identify which dead need their help to get to a better place in the hereafter. This is the primary motivation behind their vast genealogical archives.
However, some folks just don’t appreciate this gesture and apparently feel it’s rather patronizing if not insulting.
Jews in particular have repeatedly told Mormons not to include their ancestors or brethren on such lists. And the Mormons promised not to, or so they said.
Now it appears LDS may have broken its promise.
The concept that such baptisms are necessary comes from the Mormon belief that the LDS is the only “true church” and thus the exclusive organization that can provide salvation on the earth. According to Mormons, other faiths don’t have a valid “priesthood” and therefore their rituals don’t count.
Many theologians might consider this a bit presumptuous and evidence of ethnocentric triumphalism.
Jews seem to feel it’s offensive, disrespectful and simply want to be left alone.
[Posted by Rick Ross at 09:23 AM][Link]
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Mormon anthropologist may be excommunicatedThomas Murphy's fans compare him to Galileo, but the Mormon hierarchy seems to think he's a heretic.
Murphy is head of the anthropology department at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Washington and now seems to be caught in a dilemma, reports the Herald of Everett.
The Mormon anthropologist published a paper within "American Apocrypha: Essays on the Book of Mormon," which essentially says the scriptures of his faith are wrong, or at least historically.
The Book of Mormon is supposedly not simply a spiritual work, but claims to be a history book as well.
It tells the saga of lost pre-Columbian civilizations that vanished around 400 AD.
However, this history, which was supposedly divinely revealed to Joseph Smith the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), doesn't square with any scientific evidence.
Murphy found through his research that one claim within his faith's scriptures was certainly false. Native Americans are not the descendents of ancient Hebrews. Murphy proved this conclusively through DNA evidence.
Ironically, the anthropologist found his proof through blood samples gathered through a multimillion-dollar "molecular genealogy" project at Brigham Young University, a Mormon bastion of education.
Of course believing Mormons refute Murphy's conclusions and he has been labeled as a likely "apostate." Apparently the scientist is now on the brink of banishment from his church.
This would not be the first time the Mormon Church has purged an intellectual from its ranks. The last such excommunication was less than a decade ago and at least a few more academics are on a its short list for possible expulsion.
Mormons cling to their pseudo-history for good reason. If the Book of Mormon is fiction, then Joseph Smith was not a "prophet." Smith's status as a "revelator" is the primary premise, which forms the foundation of this uniquely American religion.
But unlike other religious texts, the Book of Mormon is relatively modern and is easily disproved historically.
Mormons have searched desperately for generations to find a single archaeological artifact that would somehow confirm a part of their book.
One such searcher was Thomas Stewart Ferguson, who spent 25 years on his quest only to ultimately conclude, "You can't set Book of Mormon geography down anywhere because it is fictional and will never meet the requirements of dirt-archeology."
Brigham D. Madsen, perhaps the most well known Mormon apologist, admitted there was no way to explain the historical anachronisms within his faith's scriptures.
After much media attention the ongoing effort to examine and expel Thomas Murphy has been halted for the moment. But it is unlikely that the Mormon Church will ignore the questions raised by the anthropologist.
What can they do? Admit that Joseph Smith was not a "prophet," but instead just a good storyteller?
I don't think so.
It is much easier to get rid of the good professor, than examine such disturbing possibilities.
[Posted by Rick Ross at 04:57 AM][Link]
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Scientology "trauma"In an Irish courtroom the seemingly nightmare existence of a former Scientologist is now spilling out through daily press reports. Every day of testimony seems to reveal another layer of abuse endured by Mary Johnston, a Dublin resident.
Ms. Johnston has filed a lawsuit against the Dublin mission of Scientology claiming she was "brainwashed" during her two years of membership. She says this produced "psychiatric injuries as well as post traumatic stress disorder," reports the Irish Voice.
During her often-emotional testimony Johnston told the court that Scientologists essentially interrogated her, through what they call "auditing" and exhumed the most painful and private memories of her life, which included two abortions.
The Irish woman also testified how Scientologists pressured her for money, even urging her to sell her business to obtain cash for courses.
Johnston described how her life became increasingly isolated. At one point a Scientologist allegedly even influenced her not to attend a family funeral. Her involvement also seemed to fuel conflict with her boyfriend, who refused to loan her money for Scientology courses.
This court case offers a disturbing look inside the controversial church that has been called a "cult." And the recounting of Johnston's journey may help many to better understand the grip Scientology seems to have on its members.
If deeply private and confidential information is shared through the group's "auditing" process and apparently noted within the file of each participant, Scientology would then potentially have considerable leverage concerning anyone who considers leaving.
What information lies within the files of John Travolta or Tom Cruise? Does this afford Scientology a special hold over its celebrities? Both stars have taken numerous courses and gone through "auditing" for years.
Johnston also told how she was taught that reading a critical article about Scientology would somehow require "repair," to undue the supposed damage done by exposure to such negative information.
What information have well-known celebrities ignored per such advice?
It is said that celebrity members like Travolta and Lisa Marie Presley often have Scientologists accompany them as "assistants." Are such assistants there for "damage control"?
If a regular Scientologist was subjected to this much handling and manipulation, what is the organization willing to do to keep its really important members?
[Posted by Rick Ross at 07:20 AM][Link]
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Banned Jehovah's Witness sues organization for millionsIt seems the way Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) deal with dissent is to "disfellowship" anyone that speaks out and/or draws attention to serious internal problems.
This was apparently the reason for the banishment of Barbara Joanna Anderson, a Tennessee Witness who spoke out about sexual abuse within JW congregations.
Anderson has now filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit in response to her banishment, reports the Tullahoma News.
The former Witness is a founder of "Silent Lambs," an organization formed to address the issue of sexual abuse within the ranks of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Increasingly, it appears there is a pattern of JW leaders suppressing information about sexual abuse, when it involves its members. They most often don't report such matters promptly to the police.
Jehovah's Witnesses have historically demonized the Roman Catholic Church in the harshest terms. Ironically though, it now appears JW leaders have followed the same pattern of behavior embraced by many Catholic bishops, when dealing with sexual predators amongst its clergy.
That is, with one notable exception. The Roman Catholic Church has not used excommunication to silence its members who have recently spoken out and/or drawn attention to this issue.
[Posted by Rick Ross at 10:08 AM][Link]
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Hate group leader claims his "church" is movingMatt Hale the founder and leader of the so-called "World Church of the Creator" says it's moving.
Well, not exactly.
Though Hale claims his "world headquarters" will officially move to a new address in a small Wyoming town he will remain in Peoria, Illinois, reports Associated Press.
The white supremacist apparently just wants some of his followers to set up shop out West.
However, whatever Hale says must be taken with more than a little skepticism. The ardent racist has a history of making misleading statements, such as listing himself as an "attorney" on the Internet, when in fact he can't practice law in Illinois.
Hale has a law degree, but the not so popular Peoria resident couldn't convince the Illinois State Bar to let him in.
There is an old adage that a man cannot be a "prophet in his own land." In Hale's case this also includes being a lawyer.
Maybe Hale should try his luck in Wyoming? Peoria just might give the racist a rousing send off.
[Posted by Rick Ross at 09:20 AM][Link]
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Canadian police launch probe into cult death of childCult leader Lucille Paulin is now in jail serving an eight-month sentence for beating children in her group called the "Four Winds Commune, located on Prince Edward Island in Canada.
However, soon Paulin may face far more serious charges.
The surviving siblings of a child who died within her compound believe Paulin may have poisoned their 12-year-old brother. And now they want justice.
Canadian authorities have decided to investigate the boy's death, reports the National Post.
The dead child known only as "Jonathan" came with his parents to live in Paulin's commune. They apparently accepted her proclaimed role as leader and "prophet."
The child's surviving siblings believe child welfare didn't properly protect their brother and may have attempted to cover up that failure.
Sadly, this has become a common story.
Child protection both in Canada and the United States often seem befuddled when confronted by abuses within religious groups. Should they err on the side of caution, or be careful, so as not to be accused of "religious persecution."
Where does child welfare begin and religious rights end?
It seems at the grave of little Jonathan.
[Posted by Rick Ross at 12:48 PM][Link]
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Hillary Clinton looks into Scientology drug programLast month Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton visited a Mexican prison with other members of the National Foundation of Women Legislators. The lawmakers went to see how a controversial Scientology drug rehabilitation program called "Narconon," supposedly helped convicts there, reported SignOnSanDiego, November 21st.
But since that visit controversy once again has arisen regarding Narconon, concerning a proposed center in Canada.
Recently, the town council of Marmora, Ontario "unanimously denied" a rezoning application that would have allowed Narconon to set up a facility in that community. And there were "rumors that Narconon…is an attempt by the Church of Scientology to infiltrate the region," reported the Osprey Intelligencer.
Apparently though Narconon may be selling well in Mexico, Canadians aren't buying into it.
Narconon funding was dropped in Utah and another center's certification was once rejected in Oklahoma.
Perhaps US legislators brought to the Baja don't know about Narconon's troubled history. Intead, they were told the program works, according to a study done in Mexico that claims it reduces recidivism amongst prisoners there.
But a Swedish medical expert testified, "There is no documentation to show that the [Narconon] method of detoxification from drug abuse conforms to scientific standards and medical experience…The risks and side effects of the treatment method have also not been evaluated in a serious way. Methods that have not been evaluated and/or rest on incorrect theories should not be used in Swedish medical care."
Hopefully, before Senator Clinton and other lady legislators embrace Narconon they will read "Scientology; The Cult of Greed," the award winning cover story published by Time Magazine in 1991.
Time called Narconon "a classic vehicle for drawing addicts into the cult" (i.e. Scientology).
[Posted by Rick Ross at 11:47 AM][Link]
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Old Neo-Nazi picks successorRichard Butler 84 once proudly ruled over his own compound kingdom in Idaho known as the "Aryan Nations." But now the old racist is broke, dispossessed and apparently dying.
Butler was sued into bankruptcyand then evicted, seeming proof that "every dog has its day."
However, the ailing hate monger still managed to choose a new leader for his fragmented and fading group between hospital visits, reported Associated Press this past Saturday.
Butler chose his old pal Harold "Ray" Redfeairn. In better times the two men liked to parade together in downtown Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
A splinter group that left Butler says "weirdos, winos and clowns" now surround him
Right. As if these characters were anything but "weirdos" and "clowns."
Redfeairn claims his focus will be upon the racist theology of the so-called "Christian Identity" movement.
Many groups like the Aryan Nations were founded by charismatic personalities who quickly became "cult figures" and totalitarian leaders. Before his fall Butler once held such a position of prevalence and power.
Redfeairn said, "It's never been my desire to be the grand pooh-bah of the Aryan Nations."
Whatever Ray. There isn't much left to be the "grand poo-bah" over anyway.
[Posted by Rick Ross at 09:07 AM][Link]
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YWAM picks new leaderJohn Dawson, who has been with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) for more than 30 years has now been chosen by its "Global Leadership Team" (GLT) as YWAM's new president. He will assume his new role next September, reports Charisma News Service.
Founded by Loren Cuningham in 1960, YWAM is a controversial ministry that has generated serious complaints over the years. Though supposedly "retired" Cuningham still sits on the GLT.
Some former members have specifically complained that YWAM's "discipleship training" is coercive and controling. That training is often conducted within relatively isolated camps run by the organization.
It is unclear what real power the president of YWAM wields, or how the GLT can be held accountable to the 12,000 full-time workers in 130 countries that it controls.
One consistent complaint about the organization historically, has been its authoritarian syle of leadership and lack of meaningful accountability.
[Posted by Rick Ross at 06:54 PM][Link]
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