Joe Szimhart & CultAware - New Niche for Psychopaths
- Thread starter Laura
- Start date
Looks like at least some funding comes from the county MCES is in. Looks like they do a lot of referrals from the police and get funding from other foundations.
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=CIT&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=57467
and
http://montgomery.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/services/agency.aspx?pid=MontgomeryCountyEmergencyServicesMCESPsychiatricHospital_801_2_0
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=CIT&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=57467
and
http://montgomery.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/services/agency.aspx?pid=MontgomeryCountyEmergencyServicesMCESPsychiatricHospital_801_2_0
I read the link Guardian posted earlier, an article written by Laura back in 2003 about the Ross Institute. It gives insight into how parents could pay to have loved ones tortured. It stems from long held beliefs in individualism, prevalent in European cultures and their descendents that immigrated to the USA.
It promotes a live and let live attitude, but at the same time, it also leaves these groups open to altruistic punishment (for your own good). In other words, these folks are open to others – including the psychopaths that use this opening to convince them such tactics are necessary. For a fee, of course.
On the other hand, our “elite” promote collectivism in their own society - Strong ethnocentric beliefs and strong networks with a common cause that keeps them all working towards a collective aim. The bottom line is the caveat “divide and conquer” , while the elite and their high proportion of psychopaths, get the rest of us to eat each other alive, they sit back, enjoy the show and control everything.
Their tentacles seem to run deep, permeating many aspects of the “accepted norms”. And those who deviate from these norms be damned.
This explains how a “zombie apocalypse” could really happen.
It promotes a live and let live attitude, but at the same time, it also leaves these groups open to altruistic punishment (for your own good). In other words, these folks are open to others – including the psychopaths that use this opening to convince them such tactics are necessary. For a fee, of course.
On the other hand, our “elite” promote collectivism in their own society - Strong ethnocentric beliefs and strong networks with a common cause that keeps them all working towards a collective aim. The bottom line is the caveat “divide and conquer” , while the elite and their high proportion of psychopaths, get the rest of us to eat each other alive, they sit back, enjoy the show and control everything.
Their tentacles seem to run deep, permeating many aspects of the “accepted norms”. And those who deviate from these norms be damned.
This explains how a “zombie apocalypse” could really happen.
Guardian
The Cosmic Force
Opps. Took them 4 years to catch him...great oversight. 
_http://norristown.patch.com/articles/payroll-clerk-admits-to-embezzling-100k-from-montgomery-county-emergency-services
Payroll Clerk Admits to Embezzling $100k from Montgomery County Emergency Services
Stephen A. Brisbin, of King of Prussia, pleaded guilty last week to theft by deception.
By James Myers
Email the author
January 18, 2012
According to The Times Herald, a former payroll clerk at Montgomery County Emergency Services (MCES) admitted in court to embezzling more than $100,000 from the psychiatric hospital over a four year period.
According to the report, investigators say the 46-year-old Brisbin, who worked at MCES from 2006 until he was fired in April of last year, paid himself a total of $102,667.13 for hours he didn’t work.
When his superiors discovered the missing funds and confronted him in April of last year, Brisbin reportedly admitted to the crime.
“I’m really sorry," he reportedly told officials. "I got out of control. I’m actually glad I got caught.”
Brisbin is currently awaiting sentencing.
Read more about the incident here.
Related Topics: Crime, Embezzlement, and MCES
Email me updates about this story.
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2 Comments
Louie
1:22 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
"According to the report, investigators say the 346-year-old Brisbin"
Heck, the guy's 346 years old. Let him keep the money!
Reply
Patch_comments_icon
James Myers
1:49 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Oops. He's only 46, so no, he should have to pay it back.
Reply
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA
In This article
Montgomery County Emergency Service Mental Health
Montgomery County Emergency Service Mental Health
1001 Sterigere St, East Norriton, PA
_http://norristown.patch.com/articles/payroll-clerk-admits-to-embezzling-100k-from-montgomery-county-emergency-services
Payroll Clerk Admits to Embezzling $100k from Montgomery County Emergency Services
Stephen A. Brisbin, of King of Prussia, pleaded guilty last week to theft by deception.
By James Myers
Email the author
January 18, 2012
According to The Times Herald, a former payroll clerk at Montgomery County Emergency Services (MCES) admitted in court to embezzling more than $100,000 from the psychiatric hospital over a four year period.
According to the report, investigators say the 46-year-old Brisbin, who worked at MCES from 2006 until he was fired in April of last year, paid himself a total of $102,667.13 for hours he didn’t work.
When his superiors discovered the missing funds and confronted him in April of last year, Brisbin reportedly admitted to the crime.
“I’m really sorry," he reportedly told officials. "I got out of control. I’m actually glad I got caught.”
Brisbin is currently awaiting sentencing.
Read more about the incident here.
Related Topics: Crime, Embezzlement, and MCES
Email me updates about this story.
Submit tip
2 Comments
Louie
1:22 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
"According to the report, investigators say the 346-year-old Brisbin"
Heck, the guy's 346 years old. Let him keep the money!
Reply
Patch_comments_icon
James Myers
1:49 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Oops. He's only 46, so no, he should have to pay it back.
Reply
Leave a comment
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA
In This article
Montgomery County Emergency Service Mental Health
Montgomery County Emergency Service Mental Health
1001 Sterigere St, East Norriton, PA
[quote author= Guardian]
Hmmm, now I wonder which "rehab facilities" and "follow up therapist" Szimhart recommends ?
[/quote]
Is it coincidence that a google search of "Ross Institute" brings up this link? A private facility specializing in recovery of psychological trauma that has three locations in Texas, Michigan, and California. They even offer a "Trauma Model Therapy Certificate", complete with certificate and training materials for a mere $277.69. So any ol' Joe Szmo can become certified? Yikes!
Hmmm, now I wonder which "rehab facilities" and "follow up therapist" Szimhart recommends ?
[/quote]
Is it coincidence that a google search of "Ross Institute" brings up this link? A private facility specializing in recovery of psychological trauma that has three locations in Texas, Michigan, and California. They even offer a "Trauma Model Therapy Certificate", complete with certificate and training materials for a mere $277.69. So any ol' Joe Szmo can become certified? Yikes!
Guardian
The Cosmic Force
Lilou said:
I don't know if there's a connection yet, but it's a creepy site that leads to an even creepier site.
_http://www.rossenergysystems.com/Patents.asp
Dr. Ross holds one US Patent and one US Patent Pending. The electrode required to support these devices is in development. An initial prototype electrode is the basis of the qEEG printout below and published papers by Dr. Ross.
US Patent 7,806,527 - Electromagnetic Beam Detection System
This Patent is for a system that captures the brain waves emitted through the eye, using an electrode that makes no physical contact with the body.
The system could be used in medicine, security systems, games, and other applications.
The sample EEG printout shows the brainwaves from a standard 20-lead qEEG. There are 20 scalp electrodes in standard positions: Fp1 and Fp2 at the top are two locations on the forehead. POz is an electrode positioned inside EM-insulated goggles just in front of the eye. Fpz is a control electrode suspended in space in front of the goggles.
Ocular Extramission qEEG Printout
The wave form of the eye electrode (POz) looks very similar to the two forehead leads. The two large V-shaped waves just before 7 minutes 35 seconds and 40 seconds in Fp1, Fp2 and POz are eye-blink artifact. The eye blink is absent in the control electrode, Fpz.
Fpz shows only background noise plus the heart beat registered by the reference electrodes attached to the ears. Both the heart signal and the background noise are absent from the eye electrode.
This EEG tracing proves that a physiologically active EM signal emerges from the eye and can be detected by an electrode that makes no physical contact with the body.
RES is working on developing a durable, practical electrode that can be used in medicine and other fields.
US Patent Pending 2010/0152602 A1 - Whole Body Electromagnetic Detection System
This Patent Pending is for a Whole Body EM Scanner. It includes several configurations: one that scans the entire body with the person lying down; one that scans the chest and abdomen with the person sitting up; and a smaller hand-held version that can scan any part of the body.
The configurations also include: a helmet that can take a standard EEG without any need for contact electrodes or paste; and a system that can take a standard EKG without any need for contact electrodes.
The Whole Body EM Scanner could be set for a digital readout, standard EEG or EKG output or a real time video output with the energy field displayed as different colors and intensities depending on amplitude and frequency.
I was actually a member of CUT when all this was going on. I vaguely remember someone mentioning that an ex church member was involved. He's been at this a long time. It was a big deal at the time (of course). Members were being traumatized. I thought it was odd. I just figured the families of these victims were freaked out about nothing. Interesting to find out it was most likely linked to mind control operations.
So, the whole cult label is nothing new to me. I left CUT on my own when things weren't adding up. And now that I can look back, that decision to act on what I saw led, through a series of events, to finding my way here.
So this is all very strange for me.
So, the whole cult label is nothing new to me. I left CUT on my own when things weren't adding up. And now that I can look back, that decision to act on what I saw led, through a series of events, to finding my way here.
So this is all very strange for me.
[quote author= Guardian]
I don't know if there's a connection yet, but it's a creepy site that leads to an even creepier site.
_http://www.rossenergysystems.com/Patents.asp
[/quote]
I saw that as well. It raised the hair on the back of my neck, as the implications for nefarious purposes are unlimited. OSIT. This rabbit hole is probably deeper than most can even imagine. It's like mad scientists unleashed against a naive population. Creepy is an understatement.
I don't know if there's a connection yet, but it's a creepy site that leads to an even creepier site.
_http://www.rossenergysystems.com/Patents.asp
[/quote]
I saw that as well. It raised the hair on the back of my neck, as the implications for nefarious purposes are unlimited. OSIT. This rabbit hole is probably deeper than most can even imagine. It's like mad scientists unleashed against a naive population. Creepy is an understatement.
Joe Szimhart is listed as a member of this group, _http://www.icsahome.com/ , along with a long list of others. ICSA stands for the International Cultic Studies Association. This ICSA is a monster. I suppose that's how they drum up business for more kidnappings, rapes and torture and where they find facilities to put their victims in after they are "deprogrammed". Or rather, where they are "reprogrammed" by god knows who.
I looked at a few of the profiles of members - all I can say is OMG.
I looked at a few of the profiles of members - all I can say is OMG.
Lilou said:Joe Szimhart is listed as a member of this group, _http://www.icsahome.com/ , along with a long list of others. ICSA stands for the International Cultic Studies Association. This ICSA is a monster. I suppose that's how they drum up business for more kidnappings, rapes and torture and where they find facilities to put their victims in after they are "deprogrammed". Or rather, where they are "reprogrammed" by god knows who.
I looked at a few of the profiles of members - all I can say is OMG.
Yes, OMG - these types are a big ruthless business, mining people they profess to be mined.
Took awhile to read this thread (good work Guardian et al) and searched some of the many sites. The ICSA has many references to Miviludes and Szimhart; evil operators on two different continents.
Reading the piece by Barbara Boyd about this "Louis Jolyon “Jolly” West" was chilling:
So this West was someone Szimhart had contact with.
Read some of Szimhart's essays with this one about his personal justification as a hunter of people called "Why Catholic" _http://jszimhart.com/blog/why_catholic
His MO is very strange. :(
Guardian
The Cosmic Force
What floors me is that Montgomery County Emergency Services (MCES) is openly referring people to Rick Ross, a two time convicted felon and diagnosed Sociopath.
This is a medical report from the Arizona State Hospital that was apparently used to determine if he should get probation. While it appears they blacked out whatever "sexual dysfunction" he has, they clearly left "sociopathic inclinations" on page two.
This is a medical report from the Arizona State Hospital that was apparently used to determine if he should get probation. While it appears they blacked out whatever "sexual dysfunction" he has, they clearly left "sociopathic inclinations" on page two.
Guardian
The Cosmic Force
Lilou said:I looked at a few of the profiles of members - all I can say is OMG.
I know right....I keep taking breaks just to cuddle my critters. These toads are perverted! It looks to me like Szimhart is a professional harvester for a bunch of Sociopaths, and anyone who is disgusted with mainstream religions and has chosen to pursue their own path to Spirituality is a potential victim.
Even worse, Szimhart has a Mental Hospital, and a bunch of MD's, backing his persecution of any group that meets his definition of "Cult" ...which is pretty much anyone who doesn't think like he does. This same Mental Hospital (MCES) is referring people who might really need help to someone diagnosed with "Sociopathic Inclinations"
Now how pathological is that?
I haven't done a mass mailing to the Pagan.com list yet as I want to harvest everything I can first, 'cause you know they're going to start pulling stuff once they're exposed.
Once I'm done, I think leaders in the Pagan and Heathen communities should at least challenge this hospital's eligibility for receiving state and federal funds based on their endorsement of the persecution of non-Christian spiritual groups. I can't speak for SOTT's readership, but that pretty much covers ALL of the 400,000+ Pagans and Heathens on my list.
Guardian
The Cosmic Force
We're not talking about lightweights here either, Rick Ross, is just one of the men Montgomery County Emergency Servies (MCES) is promoting. Gawd only knows what we'll find over the next few weeks, I've got over 10 THOUSAND hits to filter through just from the last crawl.
http://www.religiousfreedomwatch.org/religious-experts/false-experts/rick-ross/continuing-pattern-and-practice-of-criminal-activity/
Continuing Pattern and Practice of Criminal Activity
Rick Ross has a long-term criminal record. The following is by no means a complete picture, and investigation of his criminal activities continues.
On December 22, 1974, Rick Ross and Jeffrey Ward Nuzum attempted to commit a burglary by kicking in the door to a building in Phoenix. They were caught in the act by the Phoenix police and were arrested. Ross was 22 years old at the time and was employed as a bill collector for the American Credit Bureau. He plead guilty to a charge of Conspiracy and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and placed on probation for a period of one year.
On July 23, 1975, at 11:00 p.m., Rick Ross robbed Kay-Bee Enterprises, a jewelry store located in the Broadway department store at Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix, Arizona. Ross made off with approximately $50,000 worth of diamonds and “precious paraphernalia” by presenting the clerk at the store with a note demanding the diamonds be placed in a box or Ross would detonate a bomb that he had brought into the store with him. The clerk, Daniel Schroeder, told police that he had followed the robber’s instructions and that while the jewelry was valued at $50,000, its retail value was approximately $100,000.
It was later discovered that Ross and Schroeder together had in fact set up the robbery and that they had later split the stolen property. Ross and Schroeder both confessed to the crime after police overheard their conversations in which they bragged about having pulled off the heist.
Ross eventually confessed to the police that he had been discussing this crime with Schroeder for three months prior to the robbery and that during this time, he had associated with many criminals. Ross admitted that previous to the jewelry store robbery, he had bought and used stolen credit cards and had also stolen furniture and appliances from model homes.
Ross and Schroeder were arrested and charged with the crime of Grand Theft by Embezzlement for the jewelry store heist.
Ross’ probation from his previous arrest was revoked on July 29, 1975, for failing to conduct himself as a law-abiding citizen. Ross admitted to this violation of his probation in open court on November 17, 1975. His probation was then extended to four years.
Reports attached to court documents relating to the incident show that Ross was described as an individual who has sociopathic inclinations and cannot see that what he does is socially unacceptable and dangerous.
In a plea agreement, on April 2, 1976, Ross was found guilty of Conspiracy, 2nd Degree, to Commit Grand Theft, a felony, and was sentenced to four years probation and a fine of $1,100.
In a civil matter, on May 23, 1979 a suit was filed by Jack Grodzinsky accusing Rick Ross of having ripped him off based on an agreement that Ross would repair two cars that Grodzinsky paid for. The Court ruled against Ross and ordered him to pay Grodzinsky $8,464.65, including his legal fees. Ross presumably paid this off from his earnings in the deprogramming business.
Also in 1979, another lawsuit was filed against Ross, this one for failure to repay a loan to his own aunt for $4,000. Ross had borrowed the money from his relatives, David and Emma Katz, on November 10, 1977, and when their attempts to collect on the loan failed, they filed suit.
In the 1980s, Ross became involved in a new scheme to make money. He became involved with a network of criminal deprogrammers called the Cult Awareness Network. In a letter from Rick Ross to the Cult Awareness Network executive director, Priscilla Coates, dated July 30, 1987, Ross complained about not getting deprogramming referrals from CAN and that
“some parents are so cheap they prefer to let their kids ‘bang the bible’ than pay.”
This letter clearly shows that Ross was using CAN to drum up business for his personal benefit, it also shows his demeaning contempt for Christians.
In another letter from Ross to Coates, dated April 28, 1988, Ross describes his strategy to manipulate the media to promote his business as a deprogrammer. He told Coates about his idea to get on television as someone that:
“had deprogrammed fundamentalist Christians” in order to “stimulate some [deprogramming] cases in California.”
Rick Ross’ criminal activity extends to the violent kidnapping of Christians. One particular kidnapping incident occurred on January 18, 1991. Jason Scott, an 18 year-old member of a Pentecostal Church in Bellevue, Washington, drove to his family home in Bellevue. At the front door, Jason was jumped by three men hired by Ross who wrestled him to the ground and dragged him inside. The three men were Mark Workman, Chuck Simpson, and Clark Rotroff.
Jason’s mother, Kathy Tonkin, who was also in the house, came outside and told witnesses watching the incident that Jason was going to be okay and that he was going to be taken out of a cult.
Chuck Simpson placed handcuffs on Jason, and the men dragged him down the stairs on his back, into the downstairs living room and into a van. The men, including Rick Ross, climbed into the van, where Jason was pinned face down by Clark’s knee in his back and a nylon strap placed around his ankles. Clark, who told Jason to “stop praying and shut up”, fastened a strip of two-inch duct tape over Jason’s mouth. Jason was not allowed to look out of the van windows to see where he was being taken.
The kidnappers informed Jason that his church was a cult. Jason asked them if they were going to force him to not go back to his church by making him change his mind. Rick Ross answered “yes.” The kidnappers proceeded to ridicule Jason’s religious beliefs. The next morning, the kidnapper’s brainwashing procedure began again. Ross ignored Jason’s request to have his rights read to him by the police, saying that if Jason did not cooperate, he would be handcuffed to the bed frame.
On January 22, Jason learned that he was at Ocean Shores, Washington. When Jason broke into tears at one point in the barrage by his captors, the kidnappers assumed that they had succeeded in “breaking” his faith in his religion.
On January 23, Jason observed his mother on the phone scheduling plane tickets for Jason to go to Wellspring “Rehabilitation Center” in Ohio and for the kidnappers to return to Phoenix. Wellspring has been called “a concentration camp for Christians.” It is run by psychologist Paul Martin who receives individuals and keeps them there until their faith is “broken.”
On January 23, the kidnappers took Jason to eat at the Home Port Restaurant to celebrate Jason’s “deprogramming” from the Pentecostal Church. Jason fled across the street and called the police. A policeman arrived, took Jason’s story, and put him in the back of his jeep. This is described in detail in the police report made by Jason Scott and in a separate report written by Jason about the incident, entitled, “Testimony of Jason Scott”.
Mark Workman and Chuck Simpson were arrested that day. Rick Ross once again evaded criminal charges but he was the recipient of a civil suit for the attempted deprogramming.
In 1994, Scott filed a civil lawsuit against Ross (and including the Cult Awareness Network) for the “involuntary deprogramming” for Conspiracy to violate his civil rights as well as Outrage and Negligence.
A jury found Ross and the other defendants liable for civil rights violations and negligence. The victim, Jason Scott, was awarded $875,000 in compensatory damages and $4 million in punitive damages. An additional award of $1 million in punitive damages was levied against the Cult Awareness Network. CAN lost their appeals and later filed bankruptcy and closed down its operation.
Instead of honoring the court judgments resulting from his criminal behavior in the Jason Scott case, Ross filed for bankruptcy. This even included disposing of a $17,500 debt to his own elderly mother.
Ross appears to be without remorse for his acts of kidnapping and involuntary imprisonment, which are crimes as well as human rights violation. In his own words, Ross admits to the illegal kidnapping at least 12 adults since the “wrongdoing” he engaged in in his twenties.
In an August 2003 news article, Ross answered allegations of his lack of credibility due to his previous convictions, including conspiracy to commit grand theft for embezzlement of property from a jewelry company, by stating:
“I regret what I did in my youth. I admitted my wrongdoing and restored everything to those who lost something.”
Ross omitted mention of the Jason Scott kidnapping and two dozen other kidnappings for which charges or suits were not filed.
On his web site, Ross justifies his actions and uses it as part of his sales pitch:
“Have you ever done involuntary deprogramming?”"Yes. I have personally been involved in about two dozen involuntary cases. However, about half of those cases involved minors under the direct supervision of their custodial parent. And as Steve Hassan, who also once engaged in such involuntary efforts recognized, “Forcible intervention [was only used] as a last resort if all other attempts fail[ed].” – Rick Ross
In a notable example of Ross’ doublespeak, he redefines defense of the constitutional right to individual liberty as “harassment of professionals” involved in kidnapping:
“If you are sympathetic to the families that do involuntary interventions, why don’t you continue to do such work?”
“It is no longer possible for me–because as one cult intervention professional observed, ‘the truth is that [involuntary] deprogramming is extremely risky in legal terms’. Specifically, destructive cults, groups and leaders today often maintain teams of lawyers to harass professionals involved in such work. I cannot afford the expense and time to fight these efforts.” – Rick Ross
On August 6, 2003, NXIVM Corp. filed a multi-million dollar suit against Ross for trademark infringement in connection with Ross’ complicity in violating the group’s trademarks.
http://www.religiousfreedomwatch.org/religious-experts/false-experts/rick-ross/continuing-pattern-and-practice-of-criminal-activity/
Continuing Pattern and Practice of Criminal Activity
Rick Ross has a long-term criminal record. The following is by no means a complete picture, and investigation of his criminal activities continues.
On December 22, 1974, Rick Ross and Jeffrey Ward Nuzum attempted to commit a burglary by kicking in the door to a building in Phoenix. They were caught in the act by the Phoenix police and were arrested. Ross was 22 years old at the time and was employed as a bill collector for the American Credit Bureau. He plead guilty to a charge of Conspiracy and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and placed on probation for a period of one year.
On July 23, 1975, at 11:00 p.m., Rick Ross robbed Kay-Bee Enterprises, a jewelry store located in the Broadway department store at Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix, Arizona. Ross made off with approximately $50,000 worth of diamonds and “precious paraphernalia” by presenting the clerk at the store with a note demanding the diamonds be placed in a box or Ross would detonate a bomb that he had brought into the store with him. The clerk, Daniel Schroeder, told police that he had followed the robber’s instructions and that while the jewelry was valued at $50,000, its retail value was approximately $100,000.
It was later discovered that Ross and Schroeder together had in fact set up the robbery and that they had later split the stolen property. Ross and Schroeder both confessed to the crime after police overheard their conversations in which they bragged about having pulled off the heist.
Ross eventually confessed to the police that he had been discussing this crime with Schroeder for three months prior to the robbery and that during this time, he had associated with many criminals. Ross admitted that previous to the jewelry store robbery, he had bought and used stolen credit cards and had also stolen furniture and appliances from model homes.
Ross and Schroeder were arrested and charged with the crime of Grand Theft by Embezzlement for the jewelry store heist.
Ross’ probation from his previous arrest was revoked on July 29, 1975, for failing to conduct himself as a law-abiding citizen. Ross admitted to this violation of his probation in open court on November 17, 1975. His probation was then extended to four years.
Reports attached to court documents relating to the incident show that Ross was described as an individual who has sociopathic inclinations and cannot see that what he does is socially unacceptable and dangerous.
In a plea agreement, on April 2, 1976, Ross was found guilty of Conspiracy, 2nd Degree, to Commit Grand Theft, a felony, and was sentenced to four years probation and a fine of $1,100.
In a civil matter, on May 23, 1979 a suit was filed by Jack Grodzinsky accusing Rick Ross of having ripped him off based on an agreement that Ross would repair two cars that Grodzinsky paid for. The Court ruled against Ross and ordered him to pay Grodzinsky $8,464.65, including his legal fees. Ross presumably paid this off from his earnings in the deprogramming business.
Also in 1979, another lawsuit was filed against Ross, this one for failure to repay a loan to his own aunt for $4,000. Ross had borrowed the money from his relatives, David and Emma Katz, on November 10, 1977, and when their attempts to collect on the loan failed, they filed suit.
In the 1980s, Ross became involved in a new scheme to make money. He became involved with a network of criminal deprogrammers called the Cult Awareness Network. In a letter from Rick Ross to the Cult Awareness Network executive director, Priscilla Coates, dated July 30, 1987, Ross complained about not getting deprogramming referrals from CAN and that
“some parents are so cheap they prefer to let their kids ‘bang the bible’ than pay.”
This letter clearly shows that Ross was using CAN to drum up business for his personal benefit, it also shows his demeaning contempt for Christians.
In another letter from Ross to Coates, dated April 28, 1988, Ross describes his strategy to manipulate the media to promote his business as a deprogrammer. He told Coates about his idea to get on television as someone that:
“had deprogrammed fundamentalist Christians” in order to “stimulate some [deprogramming] cases in California.”
Rick Ross’ criminal activity extends to the violent kidnapping of Christians. One particular kidnapping incident occurred on January 18, 1991. Jason Scott, an 18 year-old member of a Pentecostal Church in Bellevue, Washington, drove to his family home in Bellevue. At the front door, Jason was jumped by three men hired by Ross who wrestled him to the ground and dragged him inside. The three men were Mark Workman, Chuck Simpson, and Clark Rotroff.
Jason’s mother, Kathy Tonkin, who was also in the house, came outside and told witnesses watching the incident that Jason was going to be okay and that he was going to be taken out of a cult.
Chuck Simpson placed handcuffs on Jason, and the men dragged him down the stairs on his back, into the downstairs living room and into a van. The men, including Rick Ross, climbed into the van, where Jason was pinned face down by Clark’s knee in his back and a nylon strap placed around his ankles. Clark, who told Jason to “stop praying and shut up”, fastened a strip of two-inch duct tape over Jason’s mouth. Jason was not allowed to look out of the van windows to see where he was being taken.
The kidnappers informed Jason that his church was a cult. Jason asked them if they were going to force him to not go back to his church by making him change his mind. Rick Ross answered “yes.” The kidnappers proceeded to ridicule Jason’s religious beliefs. The next morning, the kidnapper’s brainwashing procedure began again. Ross ignored Jason’s request to have his rights read to him by the police, saying that if Jason did not cooperate, he would be handcuffed to the bed frame.
On January 22, Jason learned that he was at Ocean Shores, Washington. When Jason broke into tears at one point in the barrage by his captors, the kidnappers assumed that they had succeeded in “breaking” his faith in his religion.
On January 23, Jason observed his mother on the phone scheduling plane tickets for Jason to go to Wellspring “Rehabilitation Center” in Ohio and for the kidnappers to return to Phoenix. Wellspring has been called “a concentration camp for Christians.” It is run by psychologist Paul Martin who receives individuals and keeps them there until their faith is “broken.”
On January 23, the kidnappers took Jason to eat at the Home Port Restaurant to celebrate Jason’s “deprogramming” from the Pentecostal Church. Jason fled across the street and called the police. A policeman arrived, took Jason’s story, and put him in the back of his jeep. This is described in detail in the police report made by Jason Scott and in a separate report written by Jason about the incident, entitled, “Testimony of Jason Scott”.
Mark Workman and Chuck Simpson were arrested that day. Rick Ross once again evaded criminal charges but he was the recipient of a civil suit for the attempted deprogramming.
In 1994, Scott filed a civil lawsuit against Ross (and including the Cult Awareness Network) for the “involuntary deprogramming” for Conspiracy to violate his civil rights as well as Outrage and Negligence.
A jury found Ross and the other defendants liable for civil rights violations and negligence. The victim, Jason Scott, was awarded $875,000 in compensatory damages and $4 million in punitive damages. An additional award of $1 million in punitive damages was levied against the Cult Awareness Network. CAN lost their appeals and later filed bankruptcy and closed down its operation.
Instead of honoring the court judgments resulting from his criminal behavior in the Jason Scott case, Ross filed for bankruptcy. This even included disposing of a $17,500 debt to his own elderly mother.
Ross appears to be without remorse for his acts of kidnapping and involuntary imprisonment, which are crimes as well as human rights violation. In his own words, Ross admits to the illegal kidnapping at least 12 adults since the “wrongdoing” he engaged in in his twenties.
In an August 2003 news article, Ross answered allegations of his lack of credibility due to his previous convictions, including conspiracy to commit grand theft for embezzlement of property from a jewelry company, by stating:
“I regret what I did in my youth. I admitted my wrongdoing and restored everything to those who lost something.”
Ross omitted mention of the Jason Scott kidnapping and two dozen other kidnappings for which charges or suits were not filed.
On his web site, Ross justifies his actions and uses it as part of his sales pitch:
“Have you ever done involuntary deprogramming?”"Yes. I have personally been involved in about two dozen involuntary cases. However, about half of those cases involved minors under the direct supervision of their custodial parent. And as Steve Hassan, who also once engaged in such involuntary efforts recognized, “Forcible intervention [was only used] as a last resort if all other attempts fail[ed].” – Rick Ross
In a notable example of Ross’ doublespeak, he redefines defense of the constitutional right to individual liberty as “harassment of professionals” involved in kidnapping:
“If you are sympathetic to the families that do involuntary interventions, why don’t you continue to do such work?”
“It is no longer possible for me–because as one cult intervention professional observed, ‘the truth is that [involuntary] deprogramming is extremely risky in legal terms’. Specifically, destructive cults, groups and leaders today often maintain teams of lawyers to harass professionals involved in such work. I cannot afford the expense and time to fight these efforts.” – Rick Ross
On August 6, 2003, NXIVM Corp. filed a multi-million dollar suit against Ross for trademark infringement in connection with Ross’ complicity in violating the group’s trademarks.
Laura said:
Hopefully this forum member is not going to be accosted anymore by this sociopath and his enabling family members! Fortunately, now that this thread has opened up, there is actually a trace of the truth available in a Google search of J Szimhart's name. Other than this thread there is very little available except for this psycho's homepage, interviews and book reviews. Not sure if this is because of any conscious removal or just public ignorance of this very, very serious matter.