Spiritual Paradise? Jehovah's Witness cons JW seniors out of life savings.

by Balaamsass2 20 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  Balaamsass2

  3/28/2024 Central California Coast.

  Found Guilty of $1.2 Million Scam Targeting Seniors

  Ex-Insurance Agent Brett E. Lovett Convicted of Fraud, Elder Abuse, Grand Theft, and Money Laundering"

  "Mar 28, 2024 | 9:00p

  

  Brett E. Lovett met and befriended two of his elderly victims at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation in Carpinteria. | Credit: S.B. County Sheriff's Office/Google Maps

  A one-time insurance agent from Camarillo, Brett E. Lovett, was found guilty of 29 counts of fraud, elder abuse, grand theft, and money laundering this week, including two victims Lovett met and befriended at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation in Carpinteria. According to the criminal complaint, there were nine victims in all.

  Lovett was found guilty of bilking these clients for a total of $1.2 million over a period of five years, between 2011 and 2016, while he was residing in Carpinteria. He was arrested in 2017. According to prosecuting attorney Casey Nelson, Lovett — whose license to sell insurance policies expired in the year 2000 — promised to invest some of the victims’ money. According to Casey and the California Insurance Commissioner’s office, Lovett used the funds either to pay off other investors or to pay for cosmetic procedures, lease vacation rentals in Carpinteria, buy a $6,500 diamond ring, travel to India, and loan money to a Subway franchise in Los Angeles.

  Lovett also did business as a representative of Legal Aid Information and came into contact with some victims that way.

  According to Casey, Lovett had been implicated in a prior case — a civil action — for bilking parishioners at another Kingdom Hall. In that case, Casey said, Lovett settled. On the stand in that case, Casey stated Lovett admitted to using the proceeds to buy breast implants for a girlfriend and hair plugs for himself.

  In the current case, one of the victims lost $194,688.50, her life savings. One of his victims, Casey added, was homeless for a while. Another had to move in with her family.

  Casey said he intends to argue Lovett should get the maximum sentence, 30 years behind bars. Sentencing is scheduled for May 9. The case against Lovett was a joint effort involving the Santa Barbara County District Attorney and the California State Insurance Commissioner. "

  ndependent.com/2024/03/28/former-carpinteria-man-found-guilty-of-1-2-million-scam-targeting-seniors/
  
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  a watcher

  He should be made to pay back every dollar he took, and some, even if it takes the rest of his life.
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  Beth Sarim

  Spiritual paradise alright.

  Invisibly.
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  blondie

  (Reporting not supporting) What does the WTS say about fraud: "Discernment can safeguard us from taking action that may put the congregation in a bad light. Paul advised fellow Christians to let themselves be wronged and even defrauded instead of taking a brother to court.—1 Cor. 6:7 " let us use discernment when money is lost in business ventures involving fellow believers. If we are thinking about taking legal action, we should consider the possible effects on us personally, on the other person or persons, on the congregation, and on outsiders. Pursuing compensation could consume much of our time, energy, and other resources. It might result only in enriching attorneys and other professionals. Sadly, some Christians have sacrificed theocratic privileges because of becoming overly absorbed in these things. Our being sidetracked in this manner must make Satan happy, but we want to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. (Proverbs 27:11) On the other hand, accepting a loss may spare us heartaches and save much time for us and for the elders. It will help to preserve the congregation’s peace and will enable us to keep on seeking first the Kingdom." See WT 1997 3/15 p. 17-22 (Barf material)
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  Beth Sarim

  If we are pursuing "legal action" our foremost concern should be the image of the organization.

  Is what the WT would say. Thats what motive should be.
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  Dagney

  Wow!!

  Nice going Br. Lovett! What a scumbag.
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  Balaamsass2

  Not the first time I have seen this. A lot of con artists have operated in Congregations targeting seniors over the years. Watchtower's prohibition against "suing your brother" and "handling matters quietly through the elders" provides fertile ground for criminals to fleece seniors.
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  3rdgen

  Criminals disguised as " brothers"
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  Dagney

  Yes there was a guy down here in the 90's who went to prison. Financial "planner" I think, ended up a ponzi scheme.
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  Sea Breeze

  You can’t make this stuff up! Of course he ripped off gullible JWs yo buy breast implants for his stripper gf.

  According to Casey, Lovett had been implicated in a prior case — a civil action — for bilking parishioners at another Kingdom Hall. In that case, Casey said, Lovett settled. On the stand in that case, Casey stated Lovett admitted to using the proceeds to buy breast implants for a girlfriend and hair plugs for himself.