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.
Balaamsass2
JoinedPosts by Balaamsass2
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20
Spiritual Paradise? Jehovah's Witness cons JW seniors out of life savings.
by Balaamsass2 in3/28/2024 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".
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Spiritual Paradise?? (ex)JW Elder to stand trial for multiple rapes over a 10-year period.
by Balaamsass2 informer jehovah's witness elder committed to stand trial accused of sunshine coast rapes, sexual abuse.
a former jehovah's witness elder has been committed to stand trial for raping and sexually abusing young men on the sunshine coast over a 10-year period.police arrested 62-year-old mooloolaba man peter mitchelson in august 2022 and charged him with more than 50 sexual offences, including 21 counts of rape that allegedly occurred at various locations on the sunshine coast and in brisbane from 2008 to 2018.. the charges relate to five adult male complainants known to mr mitchelson through the jehovah's witness faith.. a committal hearing at maroochydore today heard mr mitchelson allegedly used his seniority as a former congregation elder to coerce the younger men to perform sexual acts for his gratification.. police said the acts were non-consensual and made the alleged victims feel "used, controlled, and lied to".. mr mitchelson was committed to stand trial in the district court on 53 charges, while charges of incest and torture were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.. 'positive affirmations' allegedly escalated.
the court heard the majority of alleged offending started with mr mitchelson advising alleged victims on how to use '"positive affirmations" to improve their confidence.. police said initial meetings with mr mitchelson involved alleged victims standing in front of a mirror repeating the phrase: "i'm strong.
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Balaamsass2
3/20/2024
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Former Jehovah's Witness elder committed to stand trial accused of Sunshine Coast rapes, sexual abuse
"A former Jehovah's Witness elder has been committed to stand trial for raping and sexually abusing young men on the Sunshine Coast over a 10-year period.Police arrested 62-year-old Mooloolaba man Peter Mitchelson in August 2022 and charged him with more than 50 sexual offences, including 21 counts of rape that allegedly occurred at various locations on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane from 2008 to 2018.
The charges relate to five adult male complainants known to Mr Mitchelson through the Jehovah's Witness faith.
A committal hearing at Maroochydore today heard Mr Mitchelson allegedly used his seniority as a former congregation elder to coerce the younger men to perform sexual acts for his gratification.
Police said the acts were non-consensual and made the alleged victims feel "used, controlled, and lied to".
Mr Mitchelson was committed to stand trial in the District Court on 53 charges, while charges of incest and torture were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
'Positive affirmations' allegedly escalated
The court heard the majority of alleged offending started with Mr Mitchelson advising alleged victims on how to use '"positive affirmations" to improve their confidence.
Police said initial meetings with Mr Mitchelson involved alleged victims standing in front of a mirror repeating the phrase: "I'm strong. I'm powerful. I'm confident".
They said this progressed to alleged victims repeating the phrase while naked and masturbating in front of Mr Mitchelson.
One man was allegedly told by Mr Mitchelson he would be "cleansed" of human papillomavirus (HPV) if he allowed Mr Mitchelson to penetrate him.
One man allegedly had non-consensual intercourse with Mr Mitchelson on a number of occasions while being filmed.
Mr Mitchelson's defence barrister Saul Holt KC argued videos tendered to the court show acts that were consensual and "enjoyed" by those participating.
Police describe 'insular' culture
Police prosecutor Sergeant Rebecca Lambert told the court the "insular" culture of the Jehovah's Witness community played a significant role in the alleged offending, and videos appearing to show consensual acts could not be viewed without this context.
Sergeant Lambert said men who had grown up in the faith had been taught to live in "constant fear of being disfellowshipped", which would forbid them from contacting any family or friends remaining in the church.
"It is a very insular environment, where the slightest discretion is treated by the church, not within the family unit," she said.
"Disfellowshipped from the church not only means losing religion, but it also means losing family and having no contacts or the people that knew [the alleged victims] and supported [them]."
The court heard Mr Mitchelson himself had been disfellowshipped since being charged, and no longer had contact with his daughters who had moved out of the family home along with their mother, who remained married to the accused.
Mr Mitchelson to face further charges
Magistrate Chris Callaghan committed Mr Mitchelson to stand trial separately on a further five charges for alleged offences committed early last year, including attempting to pervert the course of justice by interfering with witnesses.
Mr Mitchelson was on Supreme Court bail for the initial rape and sexual abuse charges at the time of these alleged offences, and was taken back into custody in September.
Magistrate Callaghan refused an application for bail on the newer charges, today finding Mr Holt had not established that his client did not present an unacceptable risk of interfering with witnesses — even with strict bail conditions.
Mr Mitchelson was remanded in custody to return to court on a charge of possessing a schedule four medicine — the erectile dysfunction drug Sildenafil — in September.
In handing down the decision, Magistrate Callaghan commented that Mr Mitchelson was "a very manipulative person".
District Court trial dates will be determined by the Department of Public Prosecutions."
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20
Spiritual Paradise? Jehovah's Witness cons JW seniors out of life savings.
by Balaamsass2 in3/28/2024 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".
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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 MapsA 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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How many different "rules" do Jehovah's Witnesses have to obey? Can you count them?
by Balaamsass2 inall the big changes for jws since this last fall brought me back to this site, and got me and the wife talking.
just how many things were we not allowed to do growing up as jehovah's witnesses?
we were so used to all the rules, customs, and traditions, that we became used to them.. one site i found claims there are 141 unique rules!!
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Balaamsass2
lol Tonus. "Was Jehovah really worried that the feet had poked out of the water? "Nope, I saw some toes. Clearly, you are not interested in dedicating your life to me...""
And all the attendees heard a booming voice from heaven..."I saw a toe!!!" lol :)
I actually saw that once and you reminded me...
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Lines you would never hear from a Jehovah's Witness
by Ron.W. ina slightly tongue in cheek, but also serious roundup of jw speak and why trying to reason with them is like trying to chip through concrete with a plastic spoon.. how many can you think of??.
elder: 'yes.
i read through the material you asked me to at your judicial meeting - you're right we're both in a cult!
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Balaamsass2
I love my family...unconditionally.
The Governing Body has never made an accurate prediction.
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How many different "rules" do Jehovah's Witnesses have to obey? Can you count them?
by Balaamsass2 inall the big changes for jws since this last fall brought me back to this site, and got me and the wife talking.
just how many things were we not allowed to do growing up as jehovah's witnesses?
we were so used to all the rules, customs, and traditions, that we became used to them.. one site i found claims there are 141 unique rules!!
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Balaamsass2
oops...a few more. :)
Three More Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do.
1. Women cannot assume the role of a male and instruct the congregation. See Women Keep Silent
2. A woman should not pray in the presence of a baptized male JW. WT July 15, 2002, Questions from Readers
3. Jehovah's Witnesses can't be part of this world. They must be separate from the world
4. They can't believe anything former Jehovah's Witnesses say, - even if it's factual. See Apostate Lies
5. Unless they're an Elder, Jehovah's Witnesses can't read this book, - 'Shepherd the Flock of God' - 1 Peter 5:2
Does this ring a bell? "
Matthew 23:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
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30
How many different "rules" do Jehovah's Witnesses have to obey? Can you count them?
by Balaamsass2 inall the big changes for jws since this last fall brought me back to this site, and got me and the wife talking.
just how many things were we not allowed to do growing up as jehovah's witnesses?
we were so used to all the rules, customs, and traditions, that we became used to them.. one site i found claims there are 141 unique rules!!
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Balaamsass2
The list goes on....and on...lol. :)
91. Porneia 92. Do suggestive and immodest dancing in a public place 93. Attend a class, workshop, or seminar, sponsored by another church 94. Attend social events or fund raisers sponsored by another church
95. Use of bad language (curse words) is discouraged
96. Wear blue jeans, shorts, and overly casual clothing at the Kingdom Hall. See Dress Code
97. Wear pants at a Kingdom Hall if you're a woman
98. Wear revealing clothes or skirts that are too short (looked down upon) 99. Wear long hair or facial hair if you're a man (depends on the local customs of the country you live in)
100. Body piercings are discouraged 101. Tattoos are discouraged 102. State or imply that the Watchtower is not run by Jehovah God. 103. Have discussions and express Bible based viewpoints that contradict the organization's beliefs 104. Say anything negative about their organization. JW's must 'speak in agreement' and be 'like-minded'. 105. Consider other religious beliefs as valid and truthful. 106. Acknowledge any prayer spoken by a non believer as valid 107. Take another Jehovah's Witness to court (with exceptions) 108. Wear or own a cross 109. Own any religious picture 110. Own any religious statue 111. Engage in idolatry 112. Believe in miracles (except those found in the Bible) See Miracles 113. Believe in ghosts 114. Witchcraft 115. Black magic 116. White magic 117. Consult with a psychic or become one 118. Study tarot cards, get a reading or give a reading 119. Study numerology or get a reading 120. Dabble in ESP (extrasensory perception), dowsing, or divination 121. Use a tool such as a pendulum to access information from the spiritual realm 122. Attempt to communicate with departed spirits. See What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe About Death? 123. Attend a seance 124. Believe in good luck or say things such as 'Good luck to you'. Why? 125. Believe or say anything superstitious 126. Prophesy 127. Speaking in tongues 128. Laying on of hands 129. Energy healing such as Reiki 130. Read their horoscope 131. Study astrology or zodiac signs 132. Combat training, boxing, or martial arts 133. Go to heaven unless they are part of the 144,000 ( 144000 ) 134. Worship Jesus as God 135. Idolize any celebrity or love and admire them to excess 136. Women can't be elders 137. Women can't be ministerial servants (assistants to the elders) 138. Divulge secret information to enemies and those not entitled to know. See Theocratic Warfare 139. Greet or talk with disfellowshipped persons (with some exceptions) 140. Associate with disfellowshipped persons except for immediate family living in the same house 141. Keep secrets from the organization. Jehovah's Witnesses report friends and family members who are breaking the rules Three More Things Jehovah's W
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30
How many different "rules" do Jehovah's Witnesses have to obey? Can you count them?
by Balaamsass2 inall the big changes for jws since this last fall brought me back to this site, and got me and the wife talking.
just how many things were we not allowed to do growing up as jehovah's witnesses?
we were so used to all the rules, customs, and traditions, that we became used to them.. one site i found claims there are 141 unique rules!!
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Balaamsass2
All the big changes for JWs since this last fall brought me back to this site, and got me and the wife talking. Just HOW MANY things were we not allowed to do growing up as Jehovah's Witnesses? We were so used to all the rules, customs, and traditions, that we became used to them.
One site I found claims there are 141 unique rules!! I didn't believe THAT so I went over them with 3rd Gen...DANG! !!!!! What do you think...did the writer forget any??? lol :)
141 Rules. Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do. http://thejehovahswitnesses.org/things-jehovahs-witnesses-cant-do.php
The religion has many rules but these are learnt by Jehovah's Witnesses over a long period of time instead of all at once. Even though the rules can seem overly restrictive, Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's) don't see it that way.
1. Belong to another organization or club for the purpose of socializing with nonbelievers. See Religion First
2. Have best friends and activity buddies who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. See Friendship with Nonbelievers
3. Associate with people outside their organization when it is not necessary. See Friendship With A Jehovah's Witness
4. Attend social functions sponsored by their employer unless attendance is required
5. Associate with coworkers after business hours in a social settings
6. Disagree with their organization's rules and code of conduct. See Can Jehovah's Witnesses Disagree?
7. Disagree with their organization's doctrines. See Can Jehovah's Witnesses Disagree?
8. Contribute to the Presidential Campaign Fund on their tax return
9. Join the armed forces and defend their country
10. Say the Pledge of Allegiance 11. Salute the flag 12. Vote 13. Run for leadership in their organization. (JW's are 'appointed' and invited to be leaders.) 14. Run for leadership in any organization 15. Take a stand for any political issue inside their organization 16. Take a stand on any political or 'worldly' issue outside of their organization 17. Campaign for a political candidate 18. Hold political office 19. Discuss politics 20. Be a union steward or shop steward 21. Actively be involved in a union strike 22. Use a gun for protection against humans 23. Become a police officer if a gun is required 24. Wear military uniforms or clothing associated with war 25. Take yoga classes and practice the discipline of yoga. See Is Yoga For Christians? 26. Smoke tobacco and cigars 27. Work full time selling tobacco and cigars 28. Attend Alcoholics Anonymous 29. Donate blood 30. Have blood transfusions 31. Read books, magazines, publications, and literature from other religions. 32. Buy anything from a church store 33. Buy something at a church garage sale 34. Donate items to a church run store 35. Shop at the Salvation Army 36. Work for the Salvation Army 37. Work for another church 38. Play competitive sports on a school team 39. Play competitive sports professionally 40. Run for class president 41. Become a cheerleader 42. Go to the school prom or school dance. 43. Attend class reunions 44. Be hypnotized 45. Accept Jesus as their mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5. See Mediator 46. Join the Boy Scouts 47. Join the Girl Guides 48. Join the YMCA 49. Serve on jury duty 50. Study psychology, philosophy, sociology, and viewpoints that might shake their faith 51. Attend other Christian churches 52. Attend nondenominational churches 53. Attend non Christian churches 54. Get married in another church 55. Dating non believers is discouraged 56. Casual dating is discouraged 57. Dating someone without the intent of getting married 58. Having sex before marriage 59. Breaking an engagement, separation, and 'unscriptural' divorce may result in disciplinary action 60. Marriage to non believers is not recommended 61. Be gay or lesbian. Homosexuality is not acceptable. 62. Throw rice at a wedding 63. Get divorced unless the reason is adultery 64. Can't remarry unless their ex commits fornication first 65. Toast drinks 66. Buy a raffle ticket 67. Play bingo 68. Gamble 69. Sing any holiday songs 70. Sing the National Anthem. 71. Celebrate Christmas - Why? 72. Celebrate New Years Eve - Why? 73. Celebrate Easter - Why? 74. Celebrate Mother's Day - Why? 75. Celebrate Father's Day 76. Celebrate birthdays - Why? 77. Celebrate Thanksgiving 78. Celebrate Flag Day 79. Celebrate Veteran's Day 80. Celebrate Independence Day. Why? 81. Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day 82. Celebrate Valentine's Day 83. Celebrate Halloween - Why? 84. Celebrate Hanukkah 85. Accept holiday gifts - Why? 86. Celebrate any holiday except the death of Jesus - Why? 87. Partake in the bread and wine that represents Christ unless they are part of the 144,000 88. Make holiday artwork for school 89. Engage in holiday parties at school 90. Take on a leadership role in school
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Im hearing some say that the Org is about to reverse the No Blood policy - about to change...
by BeaverEater inuh, i wonder if that is true... hearing this from friends within bethel... gonna laugh my ass of if they change this....
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Balaamsass2
If you REQUEST confidentiality (in the USA) you can get it. Hospitals are held to HIPPA. "A person who knowingly obtains or discloses individually identifiable health information in violation of the Privacy Rule may face a criminal penalty of up to $50,000 and up to one-year imprisonment."
However, I knew of some JWs who worked in Hospital intake, coding, and insurance billing who reported JWs undergoing treatment (requiring blood, STDs, abortions, birth control, transplants) in hospitals to local elders.
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Balaamsass2
They teach that Jehovah and Jesus are bad with money and confused about the future.
So JWs must send watchtower money and be ready for flip-flops in beliefs and prophecies. :)
