Court documents relating to the removal of the body of elders in the Menlo Park Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (California, USA), the seizing of control of millions of dollars of congregation assets by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, and the related RICO Enterprise civil lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase Bank et al.
In 2010 the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York seized control of millions of dollars of prime real estate assets belonging to the Menlo Park Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, California, by forcefully removing the body of elders and dispersing the congregation. Money invested by the congregation was also removed from their bank accounts by Watchtower representatives. Those within the congregation that objected to this were threatened with disfellowshipping. Those congregation members who actually spoke up against the scandal were later disfellowshipped.
Allegations of corruption, collusion, banking fraud, and a “money laundering scheme” have since been leveled against the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, their lawyers, and their bankers, JPMorgan Chase Bank.
Civil Case: c13-01955 JSW
Civil Case: c12-01372 CRB
Civil Case: cv10-03907
Civil Case: cv13-4917
Documents marked with a [ * ] shed insight on the inner workings of the Watch Tower Society and their financial and legal relationships with congregations.
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CIVIL CASE AGAINST DON ADAMS, JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES, WATCHTOWER
* May 28, 2014 – Cobb v. Don Adams and Jehovah’s Witnesses et al – Order Granting Motions to Dismiss
October 25, 2013 – Cobb v. Don Adams and Jehovah’s Witnesses et al – C 13-04917-EDL – (55 page)
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CIVIL CASE AGAINST JPMORGAN CHASE BANK ET AL [RICO ENTERPRISE]
September 23, 2013 – Plaintiffs Opposition to Motion to Dismiss – pdf
September 4, 2013 – Cobb v JPMorgan Chase Bank – Defendants Motion to Dismiss (34 pages) – pdf
June 25, 2013 – Order Setting Hearings on Motions to Dismiss – pdf
June 21, 2013 – Cobb v JPMorgan Chase Bank – Defendant Amanda Freel – Motion to Dismiss – pdf
June 21, 2013 – Related Case Order – pdf
June 12, 2013 – Order of Sua Sponte Referral as to Whether Cases Are Related – pdf
October 26, 2012 – Order Resolving Motions (17 page case summary) – pdf
September 18, 2012 – Order Vacating Hearing on Menlo Park’s Motion to Dismiss – pdf
September 18, 2012 – Order Vacating Hearing – pdf
September 11, 2012 – Order Requiring Supplemental Briefing from Defendants – pdf
July 9, 2012 – Order granting Defendants extension to file – pdf
June 4, 2012 – Order Discharging Order to Show Cause – pdf
May 23, 2012 – Order to Show Cause to Defendant – pdf
May 7, 2012 – Order re Defendants Oversized Brief – pdf
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LETTER ISSUED BY WATCHTOWER REMOVING THE BODY OF ELDERS
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CIVIL CASE (CV10-03907) – SEIZING OF CONGREGATION ASSETS BY WATCHTOWER
* Menlo Park Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses – Lawsuit – CV10-3907 – pdf
* February 22, 2012 – Court Trial Transcript (148 pages) – pdf
* Exhibits A through Q (75 pages) – pdf
* August 31, 2010 – Civil Complaint of Jason Cobb – pdf
* December 13, 2010 – Defendants Answer to Plaintiffs Unverified Second Amended Complaint – pdf
May 23, 2011 – Plaintiffs Response to the Motion to Quash – pdf
June 29, 2011 – Cobb Declaration of Meet and Confir – pdf
August 5, 2011 – Plaintiffs correspondence with Court over Protective Order – pdf
August 11, 2011 – Plaintiffs draft order for bank to produce records – pdf
September 4, 2011 – Military Service Record Search – pdf
September 19, 2011 – Request for Continuance and Subpoenas -pdf
October 4, 2011 – Plaintiffs Motion for Relief Order – pdf
October 5, 2011 – Motion for Relief Denied – pdf
* November 3, 2011 – Exhibits A through M including Financials (43 pages) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 3 (Part 1) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 3 (Part 2) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 3 (Part 3) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 3 (Part 4) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 7 (Part 1) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 7 (Part 2) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 7 (Part 3) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 7 (Part 4) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Deposition – Exhibit 7 (Part 5) – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Exhibit 4 – letter of concern to IRS dated April 6, 2011 – pdf
November 28, 2011 – Jason Cobb – Exhibits 8 through 10 – pdf
October 13, 2012 – Defendants Reply – pdf
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MISCELLANEOUS
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Postscript
On April 21, 2015, Jonathan Cobb commenced action to initiate a Californian state statute that would rescind religious tax exemptions for religious organisations that interfered with legal proceedings.
The Conti-Cobb Act 15-0023 (Religion) – pdf
California Religious Institutions and Crime Initiative (2016)
The Religious Institutions and Crime Initiative (#15-0023) was an initiated state statute that did not make the ballot in California for the election on November 8, 2016.
Supporters called the initiative The Conti Cobb Act of 2015, which references Candace Conti v. Watchtower Bible Tract Society.
Ballot title: “Religious Organizations. Initiative Statute.”
Official summary:
“Rescinds religious tax exemptions for religious organizations that interfere with legal proceedings by not complying with court orders, concealing or failing to report criminal activity, promoting false testimony, or using intimidation to prevent others from taking legal action against them. Rescinds religious tax exemptions for religious organizations that lobby government or that are associated with terrorist groups. Prohibits such religious organizations, and religious organizations that commit or are involved in other crimes, from asserting ecclesiastical privilege and/or the rights of free speech and freedom of religion as defenses to liability in legal proceedings.”
Fiscal impact statement:
Note: The fiscal impact statement for a California ballot initiative authorized for circulation is jointly prepared by the state’s legislative analyst and its director of finance.
“If implemented, possible minor increase in state or local government revenues if any entities are found to violate the measure’s provisions and a possible minor increase in state or local government costs to investigate claims arising under the measure.”
Path to the ballot
- Jonathan D. Cobb submitted a letter requesting a title and summary on April 21, 2015.
- A title and summary were issued by California’s attorney general’s office on June 25, 2015.
- 365,880 valid signatures are required for qualification purposes.
- Supporters had until December 22, 2015, to collect the required signatures.
- The secretary of state’s office reported the measure had failed on January 7, 2016.
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About JW Leaks
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JW Leaks exposes and holds accountable the Watch Tower Society and those leaders within the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization that disregard or violate the laws of the land, and that cause religious harm to sections of the community.
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