Galen Kelly

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Galen G. Kelly (sometimes misspelled Galen Kelley in newspaper articles), born c. 1947, [1] is a private investigator [2] and Cult Awareness Network-associated [3] deprogrammer. He was a former director for the Citizens' Freedom Foundation, a precursor to the Cult Awareness Network (CAN). [4] He served as CAN's "security advisor." [5] Kelly was raised in Accord, New York. [6] He lives in Kingston, NY. [7]

Contents

Deprogramming and anti-cult litigation issues

According to a 1977 court case, Merylee Kreshour, a member of ISKCON, was reportedly deprogrammed by Kelly and her mother Edith Kreshour on 7 September 1976. On 8 September 1976, a Grand Jury voted not to indict either of them, but told the District Attorney to continue investigating potential criminal actions. [8]

In 1980, Kelly along with three other people – Elizabeth Kelly (Galen's wife), Eric Shufelt, and Paul Stuart-Kregor – were arrested by New York State Police after Kevin Vallee (also spelt "Valle" or "Valee") escaped their false imprisonment in an attempt to deprogram him from the Unification Church. [1] The charges were eventually dismissed in late 1980. [6]

In May 1982, Kelly was sued for 9 million USD in damages from Unificationist Anthony Colombrito. [9] [10] [11] Colombrito alleged that Kelly kidnapped him and brought him to an isolated farm in New York for eighteen hours in 1979 in order to deprogram him. [12] [13] [14] Colombrito's mother obtained a temporary court order in New Jersey that granted her custody of her adult son, and she hired Kelly to deprogram Colombrito. [15] [16] Kelly and his attorney, Robert Iseman, sought the testimony of Reverend Sun Myung Moon in the case in order to demonstrate that the Unification Church was a fraudulent organization, which they received with protest from Sun Myung Moon's attorney, Charles A. Stillman. [7] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] Colombrito got approval from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to drop the case on 28 May 1977. [24]

In 1983, Kelly drafted up a report to the founder of the Citizens' Freedom Foundation, Priscilla Coates, in order to investigate and eradicate a new religious movement called the Island Pond Community Church (formally the Northeast Kingdom Community Church), located in Island Pond, Vermont. [4] The Vermont community would eventually be raided by Vermont State Police in June 1984 that alleged child abuse in the community. [4] [25]

In 1992, Kelly was indicted for allegedly planning to kidnap du Pont heir and Lyndon LaRouche follower Lewis du Pont Smith. [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] The trial ended with acquittal. [33] [34] [35] [36] [37]

In 1993, Kelly was convicted to a seven-year three-month sentence in federal prison for the 1992 kidnapping of Debra Dobkowski, the head of the Washington DC group called The Circle of Friends. Kelly had mistaken the victim for her roommate Beth Bruckert, who had been the intended target. [38] During the trial it was also established that the Cult Awareness Network, contrary to its publicly stated policy, in which it dissociated itself from deprogramming, had for many months during the 1990s paid Kelly a monthly stipend for preparing a pamphlet on Lyndon LaRouche. [39] [40] [41] [42] [43]

Kelly's conviction was overturned in 1994 by the appeals court because of prosecutorial misconduct: Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Leiser had failed to turn over a search warrant affidavit that contained impeachment material and an impeaching memo written by the kidnap victim Dobkowski. Subsequent investigations by the Department of Justice, the Virginia State Bar and the D.C. Bar vindicated Leiser of those allegations finding that the affidavit was in the public record and available to defense counsel prior to Dobkowski testifying, and that the impeaching memo was not discovered until weeks after the trial had concluded. Dobkowski had claimed that she wasn't a member of the group, while Kelly had claimed that Dobkowski set him up by switching beds with her roommate, changing her hair and entering the van voluntarily and later claiming to have been kidnapped. [44] [45] Dobkowski later pleaded guilty for money laundering crimes and served a 21-month prison sentence. [46]

Other activities

In 1988, Kelly investigated the "kidnapping" of Tawana Brawley and dug up evidence that she had been at parties within the four days of her disappearance. [47] [48]

Related Research Articles

Deprogramming is a controversial tactic that seeks to dissuade someone from "strongly held convictions" such as religious beliefs. Deprogramming purports to assist a person who holds a particular belief system—of a kind considered harmful by those initiating the deprogramming—to change those beliefs and sever connections to the group associated with that belief system. Typically, people identifying themselves as deprogrammers are hired by a person's relatives, often parents of adult children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cult Awareness Network</span> 1978–1996 American organization

The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) was an anti-cult organization created by deprogrammer Ted Patrick that provided information on groups it considered "cults", as well as support and referrals to deprogrammers. After CAN lost a lawsuit and filed for bankruptcy in 1996, Scientologists acquired CAN's name and assets, including phone numbers and records, and reopened the organization under the name New Cult Awareness Network. The Church of Scientology had previously been one of CAN's main targets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidnapping</span> Unlawful abduction of someone and holding them captive

In criminal law, kidnapping is the unlawful abduction, asportation and confinement of a person against their will. Kidnapping is typically but not necessarily accomplished by use of force or fear; i.e., it also usually involves menace/assault or/and battery; but it is still kidnapping without those additional elements, or if a person is enticed to enter the vehicle or dwelling willingly.

Cult is a term, in most contexts pejorative, for a relatively small group which is typically led by a charismatic and self-appointed leader, who excessively controls its members, requiring unwavering devotion to a set of beliefs and practices which are considered deviant. This term is also used for a new religious movement or other social group which is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals, or its common interest in a particular person, object, or goal. This sense of the term is weakly defined – having divergent definitions both in popular culture and academia – and has also been an ongoing source of contention among scholars across several fields of study.

The anti-cult movement consists of various governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals that seek to raise awareness of cults, uncover coercive practices used to attract and retain members, and help those who have become involved with harmful cult practices.

Anson D. Shupe, Jr. was an American sociologist noted for his studies of religious groups and their countermovements, family violence and clergy misconduct. He was affiliated with the New Cult Awareness Network, an organisation operated by the Church of Scientology, and had at least one article published in Freedom magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twelve Tribes communities</span> New religious movement

The Twelve Tribes, formerly known as the Vine Christian Community Church, the Northeast Kingdom Community Church, the Messianic Communities, and the Community Apostolic Order, is a new religious movement founded by Gene Spriggs that sprang out of the Jesus movement in 1972 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The group calls itself an attempt to recreate the 1st-century church as it is described in the Book of Acts. The group's origins in Chattanooga led to planted churches in surrounding areas. In the late seventies, the group began a community in Island Pond, Vermont. As their relationship with the Chattanooga community deteriorated, the group eventually left Tennessee and moved primarily to Vermont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Greene</span> American lawyer

Aylsworth Crawford Greene III – sometimes called Ford Greene – is an American attorney, political leader and three-time Mayor of San Anselmo, California. Greene is noted for having successfully conducted litigation against the Church of Scientology and the Unification Church of the United States. He is also a deprogrammer. Greene is serving his fourth-term as an elected San Anselmo town council member. He was voted to the position of Mayor in 2010, 2015, and 2019.

Cyril Ronald Vosper was an anti-cult leader, former Scientologist and later a critic of Scientology, deprogrammer, and spokesperson on men's health. He wrote The Mind Benders, which was the first book on Scientology to be written by an ex-member, and the first critical book on Scientology to be published.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Alan Ross</span> American anticult activist

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<i>Jason Scott case</i> Case against a deprogrammer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendrick Moxon</span> American Scientology official

Kendrick Lichty Moxon is an American Scientology official and an attorney with the law firm Moxon & Kobrin. He practices in Los Angeles, California, and is a lead counsel for the Church of Scientology. Moxon received a B.A. from American University in 1972, and a J.D. degree from George Mason University in 1981. He was admitted to the Washington, D.C., bar association in 1984, and the State Bar of California in 1987. Moxon's early work for the Church of Scientology involved legal affairs, and he also held the title of "reverend". He worked out of the Scientology intelligence agency known as the Guardian's Office (GO), and was named as an unindicted co-conspirator after the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation into criminal activities by Scientology operatives called "Operation Snow White". An evidence stipulation in the case signed by both parties stated he had provided false handwriting samples to the FBI; Moxon has since said that he did not "knowingly supply" false handwriting samples.

<i>Twisted Scriptures</i>

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References

  1. 1 2 "4 Charged Upstate In 1-Week Abduction," New York Times , 9 September 1980.
  2. ↑ No Title, Associated Press, 26 January 1983.
  3. ↑ Davis, D. and B. Hankins. 2003. New Religious Movements and Religious Liberty in America: Baylor University Press.
  4. 1 2 3 Jean A. Swantko, "Retrospective on 1984: The Island of Pond Raid: What We Know Now that We Didn't Know Then," Vermont Bar Journal 31 (2005–6): 44–50, p. 47.
  5. ↑ William Shaw, "Cults: Exit Counselling," The Observer (London), 28 May 1995.
  6. 1 2 "B.C.," United Press International , 14 November 1980.
  7. 1 2 "Judge Rules Rev. Moon Must Testify in 'Deprogrammer' Trial," Associated Press, 25 May 1982.
  8. ↑ People of the State of New York v. Angus Murphy and Iskcon, Inc., 413 N.Y.S.2d 540, 98 (NY Supreme Court, 1977), p. 542.
  9. ↑ Maurice Rosenberg, "Resolving Disputes Differently: Adieu to Adversary Judge," Creighton Law Review 21 (1987–8): 801–22, p. 807.
  10. ↑ "Judge refuses to dismiss 'Moonie' suit," United Press International, 26 May 1982.
  11. ↑ "Unification Church Civil Trial Halted," Facts on File World News Digest , 4 June 1982.
  12. ↑ Marcia Chambers, "Moon Wins Bid To Call Off Civil Trial In Federal Court," New York Times, 29 May 1982.
  13. ↑ Peter D. Ross, "Beyond Law and Religion: The Liberated Conscience," Texas Tech Law Review 27 (1996): 1303–18, p. 1309.
  14. ↑ Reuters, "Case against anti-Moon deprogrammer halted," The Globe and Mail (Toronto), 29 May 1982.
  15. ↑ Barry A. Fisher, "Devotion, Damages and Deprogrammers: Strategies and Counterstrategies in the Cult Wars," Journal of Law and Religion 9 (1991–2): 151–78, p. 168.
  16. ↑ Andrew P. Bacus, "The Adjunction of Religious Beliefs in Section 1985(3) Deprogramming Litigation," Oklahoma City Law Review 11 (1986): 413–36, p. 413.
  17. ↑ Marcia Chambers, "Moon Invokes 5th Amendment in U.S. Civil Trial," New York Times, 27 May 1982.
  18. ↑ Marcia Chambers, "Moon, on Stand, Tells His Religious Beliefs," New York Times, 28 May 1982.
  19. ↑ "Moon Refuses to Testify in Deprogramming Suit," Associated Press, 26 May 1982.
  20. ↑ Paul Serafini, "Appeals Court Halts Trial in Which Rev. Moon Is Reluctant Witness," Associated Press, 27 May 1982.
  21. ↑ "Moon Admits He is the Match-Maker for Moonies," Associated Press, 27 May 1982.
  22. ↑ Reuters, "Moon tells court of conversations with Jesus, Moses," The Globe and Mail (Toronto), 28 May 1982.
  23. ↑ "Moon forced to give evidence," The Times (London), 28 May 1982.
  24. ↑ "Notes on Church-State Affairs," Journal of Church and State 24 (1982): 648.
  25. ↑ Wilson Ring, "Vermont raid had similar conclusion to Texas case," The Keene Sentinel (Keene, NH), 7 June 2008.
  26. ↑ Indictment accuses 5 of du Pont-heir plot Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine , Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/14/92
  27. ↑ "Church of Scientology Members File Discrimination Suit Against Los Angeles Cult Awareness Network," PR Newswire, 4 December 1992.
  28. ↑ Cassandra Burrell, "FBI Arrests Three in Suspected Abduction Conspiracy," Association Press, 30 September 1992.
  29. ↑ Carol J. Castaneda, "4 Arrested in du Pont 'cult' case," USA Today , 2 October 1992.
  30. ↑ "Court Finds that Scientologists Helped Correct 'Unlawful Conduct' of Cult Awareness Network," PR Newswire, 30 December 1992.
  31. ↑ "Father of DuPont heir faces charges in kidnapping plot," United Press International, 1 October 1992.
  32. ↑ "Father of DuPont charged in plot to kidnap, 'deprogram' his son," United Press International, 2 October 1992.
  33. ↑ Cleared once, man faces second kidnapping charge Archived 2006-10-09 at the Wayback Machine , Washington Times, March 6, 1993]
  34. ↑ "'Deprogrammer' Convicted of Kidnapping," Associated Press , 28 May 1993.
  35. ↑ "Defendants Acquitted in Du Pont 'Deprogramming' Case," Associated Press, 31 December 1992.
  36. ↑ "All acquitted in du Pont Smith trial," United Press International, 31 December 1992.
  37. ↑ "Father Acquitted in du Pont 'Deprogramming' Case," Associated Press, 1 January 1993.
  38. ↑ CULT DEPROGRAMMER RECEIVES 7 YEARS IN BOTCHED ABDUCTION, Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1993
  39. ↑ Gallagher, Eugene V.; Ashcraft, W. Michael (2006). Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America . Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group. p.  141. ISBN   0-275-98712-4.
  40. ↑ Orth, Maureen (December 2008). "Blueblood War". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
  41. ↑ "National Reform Organization Kicks-Off Petition Drive to Protect First Amendment," PR Newswire , 16 August 1993.
  42. ↑ "Cult Awareness Network Deprogrammer Found Guilty, Jailed," PR Newswire, 28 May 1993.
  43. ↑ "U.S. Justice Department Indicts Deprogrammer a Second Time," PR Newswire, 10 March 1993.
  44. ↑ U.S. Seeks to Fire Prosecutor in Va. For Alleged Misconduct in Cult Kidnapping Case, Washington Post, October 4, 1994
  45. ↑ Discovery violations have made evidence-gathering a shell game Archived 2008-05-18 at the Wayback Machine , The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 24, 1998
  46. ↑ Gray, Lisa (September 23, 1994) "Return of the Cult Snatcher", Washington City Paper
  47. ↑ BAIL BARRED IN BRAWLEY TAPES CASE, Chicago Tribune, June 29, 1988
  48. ↑ "Innis Criticizes Conservative Ally Pat Buchanan," PR Newswire, 12 March 1988.
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