Chung Moo Quan The Cult and The Con
russell delbert johnson
Con. The documents that I will be posting on the Internet will be in the form of public record or
articles that were published in the media. And whenever possible I will quote the source of the
document. I will not be posting martials with my personal opinion expect for those from the
media, I will also not be reading or replying to any posting by the school of Chung Moo Quan, So
as not to create a dialog with them. I will simply be posting the information so individuals can
form their own opinion.
CHUNG MOO QUAN:
THE CULT AND THE CON
Aired November 2-7, 1989
Reporter
Pam Zekman
Producers
Sandy Bergo
Andy Segal
Laura Washington
PART ONE "CULT"
ANCHOR LEAD
There are more than 2,000 cults in the United States. But cults are becoming more difficult to
detect because they often mask their identity behind a legitimate business or service. Channel 2's
Investigative Team has found such a group: A national chain of martial arts schools, some of
which have used mind control techniques to intimidate and exploit believers. They teach a martial
art called "Chung Moo Quan." Pam Zekman reports on The Cult and The Con.
PAM ZEKMAN
There are ten Chung Moo Quan schools in the Chicago area and a dozen others across the
country.
They were founded here in the late 1970s by John C. Kim, a former maintenance man who
promotes himself as a martial arts master. His followers say he has supernatural powers.
CHERYL GALLO FORMER STUDENT
His powers were phenomenal. They made him seem like a god to us.
We talked to dozens of former students and instructors who've been with Chung Moo Quan over
the past 12 years. Most of them asked us to disguise their identities. They say they're afraid
because the schools they were at thrived on an atmosphere of intimidation and violence.
Our investigation found that some of the schools have also exploited students to take theirmoney
and to take over their minds. That's why experts call it a cult.
JOE SZIMHART, CULT EXPERT
It fits every single definition of a cult which I have studied.
Joe Szimhart has deprogrammed several former Chung Moo Quan students.
JOE SZIMHART
Q: And when students say they felt like they were brainwashed? Brainwashed?
A: There is, quote, brainwashing going on in this organization.
Q: Mind control?
A: Definitely mind control.
The Cult Awareness Network studies cults and has been asked to help several families whose
relatives were involved with Chung Moo Quan.
CYNTHIA KISSER, CULT AWARENESS NETWORK
They claim to be offering one thing, classes, and that is a front to draw people in to exploit them
in
other ways that the people never would have consented to if they had understood the agenda from
the beginning.
Many students are attracted to Chung Moo Quan because the training looks impressive. The
schools say that by developing a strong mind and body, you not only learn self-defense, but also
learn to understand yourself and find true happiness. A school brochure says: "Chung Moo Quan
is an investment in life."
To recruit followers. Some Chung Moo Quan instructors have target vulnerable people-- those
who are lonely, lack direction, or self esteem.
A former instructor from Minnesota says his school kept dossiers on students with detailed
personal information.
JEFF AUSTIN, FORMER INSTRUCTOR, MINNESOTA
We looked for people's weaknesses. We would spend time in groups going over each individual
student and determining how to best "hit their mind" as it was put.
DR. EDWIN MORSE, PSYCHOLOGIST
What happens is that they go into an altered state of consciousness. In that type of altered state
they're very susceptible to suggestion. It's the same kind of thing that takes place in a hypnotic
trance.
Some instructors have urged students to abandon future plans, like college.
FORMER STUDENT
College education was discouraged. This was a much better form of education.
This former student told his instructors that he was planning to get married.
FORMER STUDENT
They said it was a bad idea, that a wife would only hold you back and that she couldn't do for you
what the school could do for you.
Some instructors have alienated students from their families and friends. then tried to fill the void
Several former students told us they were pressured to move in with other believers.
FORMER INSTRUCTOR
Q: Why was that done?
A: They have more control over you, so you had no other outside influences other than
through
Chung Moo Quan.
This woman was married to a student of Chung Moo Quan.
STUDENT'S EX-WIFE
They controlled everything he was doing, physically doing from the time he woke up until the time
he went to bed.
This woman's son joined several years ago.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
Q: You feel like you've lost your son to Chung Moo Quan?
A: Oh. very much so, yes. Almost like he died.
Some Chung Moo Quan schools have exploited students financially. Former students say they
were pressured to sign contracts and spent as much as $50,000. To get their money, some
instructors badgered them with questions.
FORMER STUDENT
Did you have any stocks or bonds that you could sell? Do you have a grandparent or relative with
money that would be willing to finance your black belt program?
Q: They wanted your money?
A: That's all they wanted was your money.
Followers even say Chung Moo Quan instructors have used intimidation to keep people in line.
FORMER INSTRUCTOR
They would beat you up physically, you know, if you didn't do whatever they wanted you to do,
whether its sign a contract or open a door or hand things with two hands or forget to bow. They
would physically hurt you.
Some have been told that John C. Kim, the school's founder, has secret powers.
JEFF AUSTIN
It was said that he had a lot of healing powers, that he could essentially heal anything.
CHERYL GALLO
He had a third eye in his forehead.
Q: That explained what?
A: That he could read your mind.
FORMER INSTRUCTOR
They slowly brainwash you to the point you believe anything they tell you.
Loyal students are promised salvation. And Chung Moo Quan has an ominous term for those who
quit.
GREG SONBUCHNER, FORMER INSTRUCTOR, MASSACHUSETTS
And that's what they said to me when I left, is you are walking dead
PAM ZEKMAN ON SET
John C. Kim's Illinois attorney said Kim is not available for questions. But the attorney says
Chung Moo Quan is not a cult and the idea is nonsense He says Kim is not responsible for the
schools because they're licensed to individual owners. But if any of the owners are doing
something wrong, he said he'll revoke their license. A spokesman for the owners told us they are
simply a group of young businessmen trying to help people
Tonight at 10: intimidation and threats -- to some Chung Moo Quan students and to me. And
Bill and Walter, we should say here that martial arts instructors in the city are concerned that this
reflects on all martial arts and of course we are talking about one chain of schools. By no means
are all martial arts schools like this. They don't approve of these kind of tactics.
BILL KURTIS
Is it just with Chung Moo Quan? I've never heard of that before. I've heard of Tae Kwon Do and
karate and things like that.
PAM ZEKMAN
This is a name that he has coined for his schools. He says it's eight martial arts combined into
one, and it's the name of his schools, the name of his organization, the Kim schools.
PART TWO "VIOLENCE"
ANCHOR LEAD
Since the mass suicide in Jonestown 11 years ago, Experts have intensified their efforts to identify
cults and warn the public about potential dangers. Last night, the channel 2 investigative team
disclosed that a national chain of martial arts schools is a front for a cult. Tonight charges of
violence and intimidation at some schools of Chung Moo Quan. Pam Zekman continues her
reports on The Cult and The Con.
PAM ZEKMAN
This is the scene from a famous martial arts movie starring Bruce Lee. A Chicago area karate
instructor
says he was reminded of the scene when he opened a martial art's school in suburban Woodridge
in 1982. The karate instructor says he was invited to a nearby competing school. The school of
Chung Moo Quan, Where he was greeted by 20 students and their instructors.
GARY COCHRAN, KARATE INSTRUCTOR
This person had so much power over these people that these people were like robots.
Just like in the Bruce lee movie, Cochran and a friend were surrounded by students. He says the
instructor ordered them to attack.
MOVIE
"Destroy them! Kill!
In the movie, Bruce Lee wines after fending off dozens of attackers. In real life. the twenty to one
odds were too much for Cochran. He was beaten by the Chung Moo Quan students and then
threatened by the instructor, who's no longer there.
GARY COCHRAN
And he said in front of all these people I promise that if you open up your school we will kill you. ,
Q: He threatened to kill you?
A: Yes, he did.
Q: Were you scared?
A: I was terrified. Numb.
Around that time. police in several suburbs received reports of harassment, intimidation and
beatings by Chung Moo Quan followers at some schools. This former Chung Moo Quan
instructor
told us they were trying to put their competitors out of business.
FORMER INSTRUCTOR
We were told to hurt them and we beat them up, put them on the street and put them in the
hospital a couple of different times.
Q: Why?
A: Because Chung Moo Quan is a superior art and they were garbage 'cause they knew
another style of martial art.
Other martial arts instructors were worried that the incidents were giving the entire sport a bad
name. So they met with Chung Moo Quan leaders and demanded an end to the violence.
SCOTT KIFER, USA KARATE
You know, this is not normal for a martial arts school. This is not the way martial arts schools
operate.
The violence seemed to end. But some Chung Moo Quan schools continued to intimidate their
own students and staff. Many of those who talk with us asked for anonymity because they're
afraid. This former instructor says that when he quite several years ago, the head of the school,
who's no longer there, threatened to have him kill.
FORMER INSTRUCTOR
There's a lot of people listen to every word that the higher belts say and they'd do anything, even
kill somebody if they were told to kill somebody.
Q: Do you really think that?
A: Sure!
Cult experts are not surprised.
JOE SZIMHART, CULT EXPERT
No, it doesn't surprise me that people would act out every single command that the management
in
Chung Moo Quan hands out, especially to the instructors because that is how they're condition.
They're condition to behave (snaps fingers) on command.
This man remembers a chilling test of obedience given by a Chung Moo Quan official in
Minnesota: How many would knock out a female student on command?
GREG SONBUCHNER, FORMER STUDENT, MINNESOTA
And almost everyone in this group of assistant instructors who were looking to became instructors
raised their hand and said: Yes, I would handle that without question.
Several students at this school in suburban Glenview say they felt intimidated when they were
asked to sign contracts and even more intimidated when they dropped out.
Page 10
This student says that when he quit last year he turned down his instructor's invitation to discuss
the decision at the school.
FORMER STUDENT
I mean let's not kid ourselves. They had swords and knives and spears and all of those things are
very intimidating.
Q: You were scared to go back to the school?
A: Oh definitely
Q: Because you thought they might hurt you in some way?
A: Sure!
A student at this school near Boston say's he was hurt when he quit. In a lawsuit, the student
charges that the instructor graded him around his windpipe and said "How would you like to die
right now?" The school denies that anyone was assaulted. Several students say they were told that
Chung Moo Quan was responsible for the death of Bruce Lee. Lee died in 1973 of excess fluid on
the brain that may have been caused by drugs. The Chung Moo Quan version is that Lee was one
of their followers who divulged secrets. This former instructor says he heard what happen to Lee
from John C. Kim, the founder of the Chung Moo Quan schools.
GREG SONBUCHNER, FORMER INSTRUCTOR, MASSACHUSETTS
And the way that it was said that he was dealt with is that a higher belt from Asia came over, was
a seventh degree, came over and injured without touch, and that he died later from that.
He dose not believe the story.
GREG SONBUCHNER
But what it does tell me is some very scary things about their thoughts concerning people are what
they consider against the organization and how they would deal with that.
John C. Kim was not available for an interview. But spokesmen for the Illinois schools say there
was one school owner who was too forceful and that he was kicked out several years ago.
SANTE FURIO, REGIONAL INSTRUCTOR
Since that time I don't know of any problems.
They say thousands have benefitted physically and mentally from the schools and that Chung Moo
Quan is not a cult.
SANTE FURIO
Q: Do the schools try to intimidate students?
A: Not that I know of.
Q: I'm told by an instructor, former instructors that they're trained to be intimidating
A: That's not true.
PAM ZEKMAN ON THE SET
But in several earlier conversations the same school officials threaten me if I pursued my
investigation. Sante Furio said the school owners will "come after you ... they're not a gentle
group." And Nick Gallo, an attorney for the schools, said the school owners are "rockheads, "who
act before they think." He said if I dropped the story, "They'll back off." If I didn't, he feared an
accident is coming
PART THREE "THE CON"
ANCHOR LEAD
Some martial arts schools are apparently using illegal tactics to recruit students. Last week the
Channel 2 Investigative Team reported on mind control techniques used by some of the John C.
Kim Schools of Chung Moo Quan. Tonight Pam Zekman reports on financial exploitation in
The
Cult and The Con.
PAM ZEKMAN
Chung Moo Quan schools say they teach the "true martial art." The walls are plastered with
pictures of their Korean founder. Master John C. Kim, said to be a ninth degree black belt. He's
on posters demonstrating Chung Moo Quan, crouching like a tiger, soaring like an eagle, and
using his whole body as a weapon to attack. The signs declare he's the Champion of all Asia.
Instructors say he won the title in the 1950's, but get vague about where the competition was
held.
TOM McGEE. INSTRUCTOR
Well, in Asia. Exactly. In Asia. More a tournament in Asia. More the champion off all Asia.
Martial arts officials from Korea say there was no such competition.
TAE HI NAM, USA TAE KWON DO FEDERATION
Q: You could not become champion of all Asia?
A: No.
Q: In the fifties?
A: No.
Q: Not possible?
A: Not possible. No.
It's hard to check the credentials of any martial arts instructor because there are no recognized
boards in this country to approve the schools or certify their staffs. But there are state laws to
protect students from being conned ---laws that some Chung Moo Quan schools have apparently
violated. The law says contracts for martial arts schools cannot charge more than $2,500 per year.
Students must be given copies of their contracts. And schools cannot use deceptive or coercive
sales tactics. But several former Chung Moo Quan students say that before contracts were to be
signed some instructors gave them a strenuous workouts, or humiliated or hurt them in class. A
former instructor from Minnesota says it was deliberate.
JEFF AUSTIN, FORMER INSTRUCTOR, MINNESOTA
By the time I would get a student into the office, hopefully he's very intimidated and willing to
accept my direction and my word on things.
Q: And your direction would be?
A: My direction would be to get him in the black belt course
A: Sign on the dotted line?
A: Yes.
He says he quit because students were being misled into believing Chung Moo Quan was
legitimate.
JEFF AUSTIN
But the things they're doing are completely contradictory to that.
Q: What are they doing?
A: They're conning people.
Students at several schools told us they were pressured to sign contracts for: a black belt course at
$10,000 to $15,000. the Olympic course for $15,000 to $20,000, and the Instructor's Course
for
$20,000 to $30,000. The attorney for the schools here in Illinois says he's surprised to hear of
such
large contracts and says he'll look into our findings.
NICK GALLO, CHUNG MOO QUAN ATTORNEY
I believe Mr. Kim would like to see all the schools comply with all the regulations.
Gallo says it doesn't really matter what the contract's say because they're not enforced in court.
But this student who signed a contract for $18,000 and was told just the opposite.
FORMER STUDENT
Q: What did they say about that contract when you went to quit?
A: That you're obligated to finish off the contract. You had to pay it off.
We talked to some students who paid the schools as much as $50,000. They say instructors asked
then to sell their cars, deplete their savings, and give all their extra money to pay for lessons.
This former student says his instructor suggested he get a second job to make his payments --
$200 a week in the beginning.
FORMER STUDENT
And then near the end I would be given then my paycheck and they'd give me money back it I
needed it.
Joe Szimhart has deprogrammed several former students.
JOE SZIMHART CULT EXPERT
The mind control in this organization has them believing that the quicker they pay it off, the more
righteous or more direction they have within the organization. The more loyalty they have to
Chung Moo Quan ideas. And therefore they generally drain their bank accounts quite rapidly.
Former students say they were told to pay in cash.
GREG SONBUCHNER, FORMER INSTRUCTOR, MASSACHUSETTS
What instructors always told us was that was the best way to show respect.
And they were told it's disrespectful to ask for copies of their contracts.
FORMER STUDENT
I said, may I please have a copy of that? What's the matter, don't you trust us? And far be it for
me to tell somebody who can terminate my life in two seconds. no, I don't trust you.
A few weeks ago the schools, attorney claimed that all students get copies of their contracts. But
later when he assembled a group of students for us to interview -- they confirmed our finding.
NICK GALLO
Q: Not a single one had gotten a copy of their contracts.
A: That's the first time I have been made aware of that practice.
Q: Does that disturb you?
A: I saw it and I am going to look into it.
We also showed him ID cards for advanced students, which say their rank is registered with the
"Chung Moo Quan organization. Asian Headquarters." Gallo admits there is no such
organization
NICK GALLO
Q: It doesn't exist?
A: Not that I am aware of.
Q: Is that a good idea legally, to be giving out these cards if there is no such organization?
A: I will say this. Pam. You have brought it to my attention and I'm going to look into it,
and I'm going to review it, and if I feel some changes are necessary, I will make those
changes.
PAM ZEKMAN ON SET
Kim's attorney says Kim collects a fee from the schools. but says the owners are responsible for
running them. He says that if the owners are violating any laws their licenses will be revoked.
And when I asked why the schools demand payment in cash he said that it was none of my
business. He asked: "Isn't that a matter for the Internal Revenue Service?
"PART FOUR "INSTRUCTORS"
ANCHOR LEAD
A national chain of martial arts schools is exploiting its staff just as it exploits its students. Last
week the Channel 2 Investigative Team reported that some of the schools use intimidation and
mind control techniques. Tonight former instructors speak out for the first time about the John
C.
Kim Schools of Chung Moo Quan. Pam Zekman reports on the tricks they used to recruit
followers and raise cash for The Cult and The Con.
PAM ZEKMAN
Jeff Austin was a Chung Moo Quan instructor in Minnesota.
JEFF AUSTIN, FORMER INSTRUCTOR, MINNESOTA
What appealed to me about it was that financially I would be set, they had set it up; they had
explained that financially you're set; you don't have to worry about anything anymore.
Greg Sonbuchner was an instructor in Massachusetts.
GREG SONBUCHNER, FORMER INSTRUCTOR, MASSACHUSETTS
The problem is, is that they are convincing a lot of people to become involved in something and
not telling them what it is.
And this man was an instructor at two schools in the Chicago suburbs.
FORMER INSTRUCTOR
It's very dangerous. They're just ruining people's lives just for their financial gain.
Their story is one of hope and disillusion, trust and betrayal. Looking back, they say they were
exploited by a cult and that they unwittingly helped exploit others. They're speaking out, despite
fear of retaliation. so that others don't fall into the same trap. They started as students, and
advanced to instructors. But getting there was expensive. This former instructor says he spent
$50,000 on lessons. shared an apartment with other instructors, and worked 18 hours a day -- for
no pay.
FORMER INSTRUCTOR
Q: What is it that they do that makes people do these things?
A: Just mind control, brainwashing, They would control how much you'd sleep, even, and keep
you there late at night practicing, so you'd be more tired and more vulnerable.
Q: And more willing to sign a huge contract?
A: Whatever they wanted.
In just two years. this instructor signed three contracts for lessons -- the largest for $36.000. He
was about to sell his business and sign a fourth contract -- a certificate course that cost as much as
$100,000.
JEFF AUSTIN
Q: $100,000 to get what?
A: I'm not sure. (Laughs) At that point, who cares?
He can laugh now, because he's had extensive counseling since he left Chung Moo Quan last
March. But at the time he believed that by following the teachings of the school founder John C.
Kim. he would have financial security and learn the secrets of life.
JEFF AUSTIN
And I was willing to do whatever it took to become a part of that knowledge.
Instructors say they used the same tactics on now students that were used to manipulate them
GREG SONBUCHNER
If you can convince them. hey your life is terrible; look at your job, look at how people treat you,
look at how your wife and family are, you need to improve all of that, and I'm going to show you
how to do it. Then that's when they got into higher courses and you become a better instructor.
Regional and national instructors kept track of their performance, and-not just in martial arts.
JEFF AUSTIN
My whole performance as an instructor was based on money, how much money I was bringing in.
how much, what types of contracts I was getting people into, how fast I was getting students to
advance.
Students advance by passing a martial arts test. While other schools may charge one to two
hundred dollars for a black belt test, some Chung Moo Quan schools charged one to two thousand
dollars.
JEFF AUSTIN
Q: Two thousand dollars for a test?
A: Yes.
Q: Was there something, was it a long test, a difficult test, expensive to give?
A: (laughs) No. I don't think so. It's just one more way to get the student to part with their
money.
Some Chung Moo Quan schools pressured students and instructors to bring in cash gifts to show
their respect.
JEFF AUSTIN
By the time I became an instructor. I was bringing down $500 per birthday and for Christmas for
three national instructors. one master. and whatever also came up.
Q: Do you spend $500 on your mother's birthday?
A: Absolutely not. (laughing)
Jeff left earlier this year after his parents intervened and hired a cult expert to deprogram him.
Greg realized he should get out after a Chung Moo Quan official asked him a frightening
question.
GREG SONBUCHNER
Are you willing to give up your life or to risk your life for the knowledge that you can learn? You
know, and I was like, that's weird.
Q: So you now think Chung Moo Quan is what?
A: I would say it's very definitely a destructive cult.
John C. Kim was not available for comment, but his Illinois attorney, who was once a Chung Moo
Quan student himself, says the schools provide excellent instruction and have improved the health
of thousands of people.
NICK GALLO, CHUNG MOO QUAN ATTORNEY
Q: Is it a cult?
A: No.
Q: Are students being conned in these contracts?
A: I am unaware of any con in these contracts at this time. If there is something that you
want
to bring to my attention, something I can review and look at, I'm more than willing to look at
it.
PAM ZEKMAN ON SET
Gallo says he'll specifically look at whether the schools are violating a state law that regulates
martial arts schools. Gallo says that if any schools are violating the law he'll move to discipline the
owners and correct the problem. School officials in Minnesota and Massachusetts did not return
our phone calls.
ANCHOR LEAD
Martial arts are an increasingly popular sport for people who want to get in shape or learn
something about self defense. But for some Chicago area families, martial arts have been a brutal
lesson in heartbreak. Their children enrolled in schools that teach a style known as Chung Moo
Quan. Pam Zekman reports on what happened to one suburban youth who got caught up in The
Cult and The Con.
PAM ZEKMAN
He was 17 when he decided to go to a neighborhood martial arts school to learn how to protect
himself. The school is one of 10 in the Chicago area organized 12 years ago around the teachings
of John C. Kim, a so-called Korean Martial Arts Master who teaches a style known as Chung
Moo Quan.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
My son, his entire life, all that he is, all that he will be. appears to be owned by Chung Moo Quan.
Q: Do you think it's a cult?
A: Oh yeah, yeah. I think it's a cult.
In the beginning, his mother tried to be open-minded as she watched her son's behavior change
radically. But like all cults -- the school drove a wedge between them. There were fights. tears.
and then resignation that her son was lost. To warn others she agreed to tell us his story, but asked
for anonymity.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
There is a fear that if they find us making this conversation that they may injure our family
members or they may injure our son who is deeply in their grasp.
When her son started the lessons were inexpensive. He was a devoted student practicing Chung
Moo Quan exercises each day. But as he progressed toward a black belt the cost of lessons and
tests increased dramatically.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
At one point he came into the house and was trying to get a loan for $5,000 and we're, what do
you need that for? And he says. for a test. And we said $5.000 for a test? And he says that's
nothing; later on it'll be $15,000.
She says he was holding down 3 jobs -- turning his paychecks over to the school and getting an
allowance from his instructor for living expenses. He moved into an apartment with other Chung
Moo Quan students. one day his mother caught them going through her jewelry box; and stealing
food.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
And I said if you're that hungry I'll feed you, but I really don't want you stealing from me.
At school ceremonies, she was shocked by the demeanor of the students.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
They all seemed to have a glaze in their eyes. They all seemed automated.
She says it went beyond the respect and discipline associated with martial arts.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
It was like a brainwashing. His whole life was waiting for someone else to dictate to him, what to
do. when to eat. when to move, when to breathe.
Her son once abhorred violence. Now he was obsessed with it.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
Well, he would talk about how they could do certain moves and take a person's arm and pull it out
of its socket. He said that then you would swing it at the person and-he said that alone would put
them in shock and you would have won the competition and I'm like -- you're talking about
dismembering people?
At one point. her son was seriously injured on the job an couldn't walk. The doctors released him
to his mother's care, but after he talked to his Chung Moo Quan instructor. other students came
to
her house and took her son away.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
And my son said: I made a mistake: I should not have returned to the home of my parents...
(crying) So my husband and I argued with him, with our son and with the people taking him out,
but there was like a wall we were arguing with, They weren't hearing us. With the passage of
time, the injury healed. And for her son. Chung Moo Quan became a career.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
He says, I will be making a good living when I become an instructor. He said this is the life
process for me and I will be able to retire at 35.
Her son eventually moved to another state. where he lives with other instructors. and teaches at a
Chung Moo Quan school.
STUDENT'S MOTHER
Q: And what do you see down the road for him?
A: I think he's trapped. I think he's stuck. I sort think he's a prisoner.
Q: You feel like you've lost your son to Chung Moo Quan?
A: Very much so almost like he die.
PAM ZEKMAN ON THE SET
The owner of the Napierville school at the time is no longer there. A spokesman for the schools in
Illinois denies that the schools are a cult. He says they teach martial arts, but also encourage
discipline in young people. Keeping them off drugs and away from crime. And he says the
exercise relieves stress and has cured health problems for many students.
russell delbert johnson
hss
way past the edge of the page. Is there something I can do to
change this? Is there something you can do?
Rob Shouse
>
>Eldorado man arrested in deprogram kidnapping
>
>THE NEW MEXICAN, 1992
>by Hollis Walker
>
kinda pales in comparison with the TOP cmq reps and
john c. kim being indicted for income tax evasion...
Wplj22
THE NEW MEXICAN, 1992
by Hollis Walker
Santa Fe police arresested an Eldorado man early Thursday in connection
with the November weeklong kdnapping of an Idaho woman he allegedly tried
to "deprogram" from her religious beliefs.
JOSEPH SZIMHART, 44 of Esquilla Road in the Eldorado subdivision south of
Santa Fe, was arrested on an Idaho warrant as a fugitive from justice,
said a Santa Fe County Detention Center spokesman.
According to a search warrant affidavit filed in state District Court,
Szimhart was among seven people indicted by an Ada County, Idaho, grand
jury on charges of kienapping or aiding and abetting in the kidnapping of
Laverne collins.
Collins, a member of the Church Universal and Triumphant, was abducted
Nov. 20 from her Boise home by a man who posed as a pizza deliverer, the
documents said.
She was taken to a mountain cabin briefly and then returned to the Boise
area, where she was held at various motels unti Nov. 27, when she was
released to her parents, the documents said.
Collins told police she was kidnapped and had been held against her will
by several people, including Szimhart, who showed her videos in an attempt
"to convince Lavene that her church was a cult and that they had gained
mind control over her" and that "she should abandon her beliefs" the
affidavit said.
Collins told police her sister, Patricia Cox, and her mother, Laverne
Coelho, participated in the attempted "deprogramming" which she says was
unsuccessful.
Police seized 44 videotapes as evidence during a search of Szimhart's
residence Thursday, court documents showed.
The affidavit said police believe the deprogramming tapes "depict Church
Universal and Triumphant, the CATHOLIC Church, the MORMON church, the
Unification Church and the Hare Krishna Church being cults and using mind
control techniques to control their followers."