"seems
the Governing Body has "pierced the Corporate Veil" in this case and left themselves entirely open to any and all litigation.
The Org has a lot of leeway on internal affairs, freedom of religion is quite a blanket policy. I doubt they are doing much in these days leaving a paper trail that would leave them liable to charges that would fall outside of the freedom of religion license.
Wannabe free, The Mrs tells me my posting was unclear on the corporate veil comment.
While I found some of the legal briefs to wander a bit, I found the case more important than it appears at first. Those of us who own businesses are used to being scolded by our Attorneys and Accountants regarding respecting our legal "structure" to reduce liability & taxes (Corporate filings, meetings, minutes, stock, board members, tax filings etc- a real pain in the arse). Otherwise the government can declare the corporate structure a paperwork sham and we leave all our personal assets unprotected...a litigant can then "Pierce the Corporate Veil". The Watchtower Society has set up a vast convoluted network of coporations for each Branch, State, and KINGDOM HALL to protect themselves. In California and most countries they have to abide by these laws and filings carefully and send in paperwork regularly to be approved by the State.
The sincere Elders in Menlo Park were long time corporate officers for the MENLO PARK JW CORPORATION. (The old Hall happened to be a poor black congregation that got eventually got surrounded by the Silicon Valley near the new FACEBOOK HEADQUARTERS and became VALUABLE). The JWs had paid-off the hall, and the CORPORATE officers (Elders) saw no need to involve the local Regional Building Commitee in a "Suggested" remodel. (Some of the local building commitee honchos had checkered pasts in and out of JWs that were well known to these Elders) These Corporate Officers simply said "no-thankyou" to the R.B.C. and Circuit Overseer. Under Ceasars law as a real corporation that should have been the end of the matter. However Circuit Overseer P...l K....r and his shady relative E.... B....had the Menlo Park Elders summarily removed as Elders, and E.....B...... (a tall Blonde) forge the (Black ) Corporate President/Elders name at Chase Manhatten Bank (JW employee) and empty the Menlo Park Kingdom Hall's Corporate Bank account.
The twisted thing about all this is these sincere Elders/true believers (who may appear to be rubes) actually BELIEVED WTBTS knew nothing about E..... B...... actions because of his well known checkered past. They simply thought he and his relative the Circuit Overseer, had embezzeled the Congregation's money. Based on first hand knowledge of Scam construction deals, overpriced remodels, and stories of Hooker exploits, these Loyal JW Elders assumed the LOCAL RBC was corrupt, and complained to the local Police who told them to sue the defendants.
Beyond the obvious religious, moral, and criminal issues this case proves ALL CORPORATIONS BY WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY ARE SHAMS.The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society does not abide by the requirements U.S. state and federal laws require for Corporations. They ignore the structure and do what they want when they want how they want. ANYONE WANTING TO SUE THE WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY IN THE FUTURE NEEDS TO FOLLOW and Bookmark this case. I think these Ex-JWs (they are now disfellowshipped) need any legal or professional assistance they can get.
The other strange thing about this case is it not only "Accidently" uncovered the "Corporate Sham" it cast a light on the ENTIRE regional building sham. These simple believers had an accountant dig up stuff on the LOCAL RBC not realizing ALL RBCs are basicly "a forced Donation arrangement". Donated/cheap materials in weird colors etc are FORCED on congregations to collect $$. Chairs, Carpet, Wall paper etc purchased/donated to WTBTS for pennies are SOLD to Congregations for dollars.( A variation of the Defense Dept $500 toliet seat).
The other "funny thing" about this case is because of the location WTBTS Penn. Corporate President DON ADAMS got entagled because of In-laws and family friends in an adjacent hall. Some of the local JW Elders in a rush to impress Don and headquarters have done all sorts of bizarre and illegal things. (Stalking, threats, wiretapping). If it wasn't so tragic, it would make a good crime comedy film.
