At the extj.com forum, a very serious scandal is being discussed regarding a potential misappropriation of funds by Mexico's Branch.
http://www.extj.com/showthread.php?24740-Denuncia-¿-quot-Proyecto-fantasma-quot-Salón-de-Asambleas-de-Guadalajara-o-robo-de-fondos
Though the situation may not be quite uncommon, below you will find an overview:
A member of Mexico's Branch Committee went to Guadalajara to inform the brothers that a plot of land had been donated for the construction of an assembly hall. They gathered elders from over 20 circuits (even the english congregations were involved) and told them that the governing body had approved the construction PROVIDED IT WERE FINANCED ENTIRELY by the local congregations. They said the construction required contributions for nearly 2.5 million dollars and asked if the elders agreed. Obviously, most of them were enthusiastic on the matter and they returned to their congregations with the goal set: ask the brothers and friends to donate for this project.
That was 4 or 5 years ago. At first, everything seemed to be very transparent with the congregations receiving an account statement every month indicating how much they had contributed for the project, but after a year or so, they stopped receiving such statements and little by little, the information on the project ceased to flow.
Now, the brothers, following the traditional channels, went to the elders from time to time asking what had happened with the construction because according to the initial letters of encouragement, everything was ready to go live from the very beginning and the permits needed were about to be obtained. They only needed money to begin the construction. However, after a year or so, most of the congregations had already reached their goal and that at the expense of hard sacrifices made by the publishers. So they were all wondering, what had happened with the project or, the money, which was supposedly tagged for that purpose.
As the years went by, the elders began asking the circuit overseers about the project and the responses they obtained were that "building an assembly hall and mantaining it is very expensive" (implying a "you should be happy that it was not built") or that "the organization had to use such funds for some emergencies or disasters". Yet, no one seemed to actually care or be prepared to give a real answer to the brothers' demands.
Finally, last year, some brothers decided to send an anonymous letter to the Branch Office (which you can read at Hildebrando's blog (http://hildeydesa.blogspot.mx/2014/04/cartas-4-y-29713-proyecto-salon-de.html) requesting for information.
Their request, though naive, seems to be an honest inquiry. They actually say that after 4 or 5 years, there were rumors that the money had been ripped-off or that some brothers were already saying that the organization usually does that (asking funds for what they describe as "phantom" projects") and that the brothers in another city have been dealing with a similar situation for a long time. So the brothers (apparently elders) said that in view of such serious accusations, they expected the organization would take their demand seriously and respond to their inquiry.
And the organization did reply as you can see in this link: http://s17.postimg.org/xkkjl9kan/CCTJ_290713.png
The letter dated July 29, 2013 reads as follows:
TO THE ELDERS AND TRAVELING OVERSEERS INVOLVED IN THE POTENTIAL CONSTRUCTION OF AN ASSEMBLY HALL IN GUADALAJARA, JALISCO
Re: Analysis of the project for an Assembly Hall
Dear brothers:
We are writing to you regarding the project to build an Assembly Hall in the city of Guadalajara or nearby, on which you have received correspondence in the past, and as you are aware, there is a plot of land that you acquired for that purpose.
In this regard, we wish to inform you that, as per instructions of the Governing Body, a global analysis is currently being made of the entire region that Mexico's branch oversees, regarding the meeting places used by each circuit to hold their assemblies. This analysis is aimed at determining which circuits have the circumstances and the actual need to start a construction project, or if they should continue using rented facilities to hold their assemblies.
Regarding the donations you have made for this project, if the Governing Body decides to approve its construction, they will be used for that purpose. On the other hand, if after the analysis it is determined that this construction will not take place, each circuit can determine if they want that their donations be placed in deposit with the branch office or if they wish to make a donation to the worldwide work. For now, you can continue with the procedure to send donations for this proposed project, taking into account the letter dated July 4, 2013 regarding "Account of the Assembly Hall ," which you will find in the JW web site, which is attached for your reference.
Receive our warm greetings and Christian love,
Your brothers,
Congregación Cristiana de los testigos de Jehová
Well, there you have it... the brothers and friends make a huge effort to support a project which construction is QUITE CERTAIN, GUARANTEED by a member of the branch committee himself who went 4 or 5 years ago to even pinpoint its location using Google Maps. As time goes by, nobody knows anything on the matter and when some brave elders decide to question the organization, this is the best explanation they can ever expect to obtain.
You can read at Hildebrando's blog that some of his commenters describe similar situations in Mexico City, Medellin Colombia, Honduras and I imagine that by posting this entry (and making my best to explain the scandal in english), we'll confirm that this is a common practice performed by the organization to obtain funds. For practical matters, a total misappropriation of funds.
...OUTLAW