Lawsuits against Narconon and NN front groups - Ongoing Thread

[Mary_McConnell]

Tony O. has another follow-up on Apr 22: http://tonyortega.org/2017/04/22/scientology-denied-twice-in-wrongful-death-lawsuit-as-parents-grieve-for-tabatha-fauteux/

It actually should be, "$cientology Denied Three Times". In addition to the Anti-SLAPP and Demurrer motions being denied, Oklahoma attorney Gary Richardson's Pro Hac Vice application to represent narCONon in California was denied. Apparently application forms were not filled out correctly, copies of the application were not submitted to the California Bar as required, and no proof was provided a required $50 fee was paid. Maybe Richardson just wanted and excuse not to travel to California.

You didn't read the information correctly. I responded to your comment over at WWP.
https://www.scribd.com/document/345930518/Fauteux-v-Narconon-Ruling-on-anti-SLAPP-and-Demurrer#from_embed

Hardly. There was some sort of a mix up. The attorney in California, who submitted the application to the court for Gary Richardson,forgot to include the fee.

I am surprised that you would say this about Gary Richardson. Perhaps you don't know how many cases he has successfully represented victims of Narconon in Oklahoma? Here is a link discussing some of them

**BTW, Gary is the attorney for the Fauteux Family and has been all along. It is he who helped locate the CA attorney and coordinated the start the of case. Done all the while fighting Narconon et al's desperate attempts to prevent the start of trial in the Murphy case in Oklahoma.So lets try not mock one of the few but brave attorneys still fighting to help shut down this front group.

If you asked Guy Fauteax if he is satisfied with his attorneys and the work they have done thus far, he would no doubt say yes. The anti-slapp matter is one of many hurdles that the attorneys will continue to overcome for this family. Its significance is far more interesting to to us critics than to the average person who has been sucked into Narconon. Believe me, I know. Victims and their loved ones either just want their lawsuit over with as quickly as possible to a win, or their refund back so they can move on so they can forget the nightmare they lived through in dealing with Narconon . Our cause is not necessarily theirs, and they are not beholden to us to have their personal involvement all over the internet.

I intentionally did not contact Guy for my article* announcing the lawsuit and it's significance, which I posted the day before Tony's came out. I am not a reporter, but Tony is. I just help get information out on Narconon, like you do. But Narconon Reviews is a site created to document and help educate the public about Narconon. Narconon Reviews staff also feel it is important to first ask the attorney for permission to speak with the plaintiffs if needed, before posting a lawsuit. That way their client is briefed on what should and should not be stated, for the benefit of the case. We didn't need to in order to announce the lawsuit. Besides, we don't want to give Narconon and Scientology anything that can be used to derail the case or weaken the trust between the attorney and plaintiff.

So lets not take for granted the efforts of those helping us dismantle Narconon and Scientology. Even those previous attorneys, some of whom are no longer able to put in the time and efforts to help, are the good ones deserving of the benefit of the doubt. There was a time when no attorney would take a Narconon case!! We've come a long way, BigBeard! And you have been important in making that happen
~ Mary

https://whyweprotest.net/threads/tony-ortega-on-the-future-of-narconon.130619/page-5#post-2608159
** In since re-reading that part of the order tonight (page one re: application) I also made a mistake. Other than the filing fee of $50 not being included ( as I explained  why, above ) I now the see that there is the fact of the application Proofs of Service omits the (CA ) Bar Association. That doesn't mean they failed to serve notice on the Bar. Only that the court didn't receive documentation of it being done.

Keep in mind that Gary applied in Dec 2016 and this was the first time the money and proof of service was actually raised because the application actually was addressed by a judge without the hearing being cancelled.By the time the order came out a few days later, the money was paid, the proof of service to the bar resolved by the CA attorney for the Fauteux's, Thomas Friedberg.

So these are not a big deal in the grand scheme of things since the judge noted that Gary has done cases and been accepted in cases in CA before, fulfilling the other criteria for being admitted to the Fauteux case.  You misunderstood that part of the judge's statement, as well.

My point being that these are minor things and they had to be addressed this way because, after several other hearings for other stupid things the defendants filed,  the judge was trying to catch up and consolidate a bunch more of derailing motions filed by NN Int and ABLE Int in this case.

And my other point being that these lawyers are doing a great job overall, that no body is perfect. Certainly not the defendant's attorney, who really blew it with his anti-slapp filing and excuses. The judge's decision on that will help us in the Narconon Trout Run case, should  Social Bettermenmt Properties' attorneys ever get get their belated Memorandum filed and start trying to justify that Narconon is not Scientology. 

[mefree]

Thanks for that clarification, and for keeping up with the lawsuits, Mary.

I'll never forget when Gary Richardson was interviewed on OKC, Fox News and spoke about the "trend" of deaths at Narconon Arrowhead. He was so right!

Also, thanks to David Love for preserving the video.

https://youtu.be/MX9Gh1xjYHo

[BigBeard]

Mary - My apologies. Aside from making me sleepy most of the time, the pain meds they have me on until I get a hip replacement get me a bit fuzzy at times. And somehow I got Gary Richardson (good guy) mixed up with $cientology attorney Gary Soter (not good guy).

[Mary_McConnell]

Mary - My apologies. Aside from making me sleepy most of the time, the pain meds they have me on until I get a hip replacement get me a bit fuzzy at times. And somehow I got Gary Richardson (good guy) mixed up with $cientology attorney Gary Soter (not good guy).

Thank you, BigBeard. Apologies accepted. Yes, I can see how easily one could confuse the two names, regardless of medication effects! Its hard to keep up on who is who with all the lawsuits!!

So sorry for your discomfort. I know your pain and  the effect of pain medicines have, particularly those needed as surgery time approaches for lack of any more alternative. Had one of mine done in 2010.  This , too, shall pass for you, hopefully soon

Wishing you the best on your medical issue 

[mefree]

Feel better, BigBeard!

[Olive18]

I also want to copy and paste the "contract" they have you sign upon admission.  I think much is self explanatory.  They have you sign the contract again after you've been in detox a bit and supposedly more clear headed as many enter under the influence.   I signed it again but was still on Ativan and not of sound mind.  The second signing of the contract then includes an addendum.  The contract is very interesting in that the claim addicts are manipulative by nature and the detox portion will determine if the facility is right for you or not, yet that addicts will try to get out of the program as it's a common avoidance technique to problems and it's imperative the addicts family don't take the side of the addict but to contact them about the program so they can be better informed...again this is all designed for monetary purposes.

[Olive18]

I was a client at this facility.   Elevate still operates as they did when named Narconon and just renamed some of the program terminology. Elevate's business model is the same as Narconon based on finding the Narconon coursebooks.  Elevate simply uses different names when referring to courses, etc.  For example instead of being called "students" it's now "clients".  Toxic people TP's, the coursework is divided into "phases".   In the course workbooks, you read and do an assignment, raise your hand and a "counselor" formerly referred to as "instructor" reviews your answers and signs off on it so you can move on to the next.  One still needs to use a dictionary to look up words, ie define what "communication" is - what's the definition and what does "communication" mean to you?  It's basic elementary crap.  In Phase 2, you do 4 Ed Blocks (education blocks which are 1 1/2 hour long) doing "observations"  You spend 5 minutes "observing" an object - a blade of grass, a bottle, a sign, a leaf, and then describing it - the leaf is green, it has some red in it, and so on.   They claim those exercises are to desensitize you to a bottle of vodka...it's just a bottle, blah blah blah.   

They punish clients frequently - a fellow client was having a difficult few days - heck we all have life problems complicated by drug/alcohol so of course people will be negative at times, she was placed on "amends" for 4 days.  Amends is when they pull you out of the program to perform laborious chores, raking leaves, pulling weeds, cleaning the bathrooms, mopping floors, etc. When you don't work the program your completion of the program is then delayed.  You progress in the program is doing coursework in "educational block"  that's why it's not a 90 day program and they call it progress based.  If you are educated then the coursework is easy and you'll finish the program quicker.  Elevate has no housekeeping or janitorial staff - they require clients to clean their rooms everyday (wiping down your bathroom countertops, cleaning the mirror, vacuum everyday, make your bed everyday -making the bed every day isn't a big deal but they are nit picky and look for any tiny flaw to issue a "CV" - conduct violation.  My roomate & I were ages 38 + &  very clean and orderly but were issued CV's because there was a couple of small tree leaves that had been tracked in & they said the room wasn't clean enough.  If you have a CV you aren't allowed to an excursion - church or a rewards outing which is either to the beach for the afternoon or a movie.   You must work off a CV by performing more chores.  The everyday chores are assigned & changed regularly.  They consist of building cleaning as they have no janitors - this would be cleaning toilets, kitchen clean up, trash removal, window cleaning, and so one.  On top of those chores, once a week you're required to do a deep clean of your room - again they are very very nit picky - the walls need to be wiped down, window sills, every tiny nook & cranny.  Your room is then inspected telling you if it's up to par.   Then once a week is the building's deep clean - this is hosing down the sunroom floor, cleaning the weight room, all class rooms/buildings, kitchen, bathrooms, front entrance, laundry room etc. That is also inspected and you aren't done until they say so.  One gets CV's if they didn't do their daily chore "good enough" One new client was issued a CV because 1 empty target shopping bag was in the room & not in the trash.   

Also the staff are NOT trained.  They have NO medical professionals 24/7, not even in their detox contrary to their claims on their website (medically supervised detox, doctors & nurses on staff) The detox is a cabin, a small cabin and COED!   Men share rooms with other males and women share a room with other females, however, the cabin is small and you share the bathrooms, kitchen and living space with both sexes.  Any woman who has had past trauma - ie assault, abuse, etc from a man this is NOT the place for you! No background checks on clients are done regarding whether a male has a criminal history of assault, etc.  Some come straight out of prison/jail.   The majority of the clients appear, to me, to be troubled youth, some who came off the streets and honestly I felt uncomfortable and unsafe.  After getting to know some I felt better but in all honesty when you see what looks like punk meth kids it made me feel uncomfortable.  I realize everyone deserves a chance to change their lives and I see the staff use intimidation to these kids - they're yelled at in abusive ways.  One girl was suspended for exchanging notes with another guy and they both were able to return to the facility and picked up where they left off.  She then got into trouble again for socializing with him out of public view and the Conduct supervisor, Doug, yelled at her and was overhead saying "What the fuck are you doing"  While I agree her behavior was wrong & this should've been addressed, I don't feel the way in which she was dealt with was appropriate.  Any girl or woman with trauma, this type of confrontation can be a trigger!     The fact detox and the program is co ed was NEVER disclosed to my family nor myself beforehand. The rooms are unlocked and men are in the room adjacent to women. They have a hired doctor - Dr. Stein -  who is off site and they have one nurse who is there during the day and another contracted nurse practitioner.  They have NO psychologists or psychiatrists.  All staff, or "counselors" are clients who went through the program themselves and when they "graduated" the program, they were immediately hired on as trainees.  They do not have any degrees in drug/alcohol counseling, therapy, etc.  When I was there, 4 people graduated the program then 2 days later returned as trainees!  They claim they treat co-occurring disorders, but NONE OF THE STAFF are even qualified to treat, let alone identify issues.  If someone is negative why not HELP them work through it instead of punishing them??? If you speak negatively about the program, staff or mention they were Narconon, you will be punished for it - you'll be issued a CV and get put on amends if they deem it serious enough.   

Also the family counselors mislead the families as if you want to leave in 10 days your entitled to a partial refund (they keep $15K) but they will tell your family you just want to get out of treatment so they apply pressure for you to stay.  I paid up front, in cash $39,500.00 for the 90 day program.   My roommate was insurance pay.  At 60 days into her program, she obtained a copy of the billing they've sent to her insurance co and discovered they have blled $100,000.00 and she has another 30 days - give or take to go!!! 

Their website claims to have a professional chef which they don't have.  They have a cook and trainees also cook.  Their food is supplied by Sysco as any other rehab facility and restaurant.  Their weight room is non existent as it's some dumb bells and a bench press and they are old.  They are building a new cross fit gym.   They still claim the sauna will rid your body of all the toxins of your drug/alcohol use.  Their basketball is a broken hoop off the driveway path and by the laundry room which has old washers & dryers which work poorly.   Everyone & the staff smoke like chimney's but tout fitness, nutrition, etc.  They claim you get massages regularly and this is only when you're in the detox cabin.  The water is crappy as they have their own sewage system and my skin was always itching!   

I was never able to have a private conversation even with my own insurance nurse case manager without their family counselor (Cassidy) present.  I thought this was odd.  When I learned they were Narconon I told them NOT to contact my family without me present and they would need to admit to my family they were previously narconon.  They went ahead and proceeded to call my family behind my back and claim that I was spreading lies about their program, resisting treatment and highly manipulative simply to get out of the program.   This was done because they didn't want me to leave within the 10 days so I could get a refund.   I had a panic attack and demanded they take me to the hospital and yet they aren't even QUALIFIED to make that type of diagnoses/determination! 

Regarding clients' exit strategy, they won't allow one to graduate the program unless they approve who they'll be around, living with, and their living conditions.  I can appreciate the need to make sure when one leaves they remain sober but to exert that type of control is too much.   Many learn about the program early on and leave - very few actually graduate and those who do, stay on to work there as robots.   

I have tried posting my reviews on Rehabs.com but my review is never posted.  I also believe all the reviews one finds on Elevate are fictious....I find it hard to believe all the glowing reviews when so few actually even stay, let alone finish.   This is just a big money making scheme and as of 2016 they became a for profit organization.     I am wanting to get an attorney to get my money back as well as pain & suffering for the additional trauma I went through there.   

I made friends with some good people and after I left, they confronted a guy and refused to let him graduate unless the put, in writing, that he and I had an inappropriate relationship.  This was done AFTER I made it clear to them I was retaining an attorney and sent them an email the day before confronting the fact they told me I was discharged from the program as I required a higher level of care yet told my family I was so disruptive to the other clients, trying to get other clients to leave the program and that I did all I could to leave the program.   Since they slandered me for retaliation purposes and I've caught them, they are now trying to find dirt on me to see if they can keep me from pursuing legal action or using it as a defense.   I have asked them, via email, several times to confirm what it was they told my family as my family has told me what they've said, but they won't even address it other than saying perhaps I should get a conference call with them and my family.   The fact I hear from my friends who are still in there what they're trying to dig up on me, tells me they purposely caused me additional emotional trauma.

[ethercat]

I also want to copy and paste the "contract" they have you sign upon admission.  I think much is self explanatory.  They have you sign the contract again after you've been in detox a bit and supposedly more clear headed as many enter under the influence.   I signed it again but was still on Ativan and not of sound mind.  The second signing of the contract then includes an addendum.  The contract is very interesting in that the claim addicts are manipulative by nature and the detox portion will determine if the facility is right for you or not, yet that addicts will try to get out of the program as it's a common avoidance technique to problems and it's imperative the addicts family don't take the side of the addict but to contact them about the program so they can be better informed...again this is all designed for monetary purposes.

I'm sure we'd love to see the "contract", but am not sure it would be advisable if you're considering legal action.  Mary McConnell can probably better advise you on that than I can.  She should be along in the next day or two and can reply to you.  I will give you PM capabilities (which normally kick in after 5 posts, but I sometimes make exceptions) so you can communicate privately with her.

[Mary_McConnell]

Hi Olive: first, I'm re-posting my reply to your initial one here from the other thread

Hi Olive, thanks for joining and posting about this. I hope you were able to get appropriate care elsewhere nd that you are in a better place with your parents on all this. There are name reports on our sister site, Narconon Reviews, about how staff lie to parents and loved ones in order to keep the patient in the program. It's deceptive and wrong.

I have always been of the mind that they were running the NArconon program within what else they were doing there. Too many ardent scientologists involved at  the exec and management levels to believe otherwise. Creating a new facility name other than Narconon is what we called Unbranding it, unbranded Narconon facilities. Per wickstrom's programs are all unbranded Narconons.

Please read and follow the instructions on this document if you wish to file a report concerning violations of your rights, as stated here:

Personal Rights - Alcohol Recovery and Drug Treatment Facilities (DHCS 5080)
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Documents/DHCS_5080_Personal_Rights_Substance_Use_Disorder_Facilites.pdf

Can you give us a timeframe for when you were there? It would give me a better understanding of your information.

My research in the past has shown that Elevate counseling staff  have been in compliance with the state of CA licensing of addiction counselors and have been working towards higher licensing so Elevate can become a professional American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Residential Level of Care Desig level facility.  AFAIK, they are better licensed there than at Narconon Fresh Start, though I am behind in continued research on all this. I am wondering when you were there in relation to this work they were doing to get the facility and their counselors upgraded on the ASAM levels of care ( as described here
https://www.asamcontinuum.org/knowledgebase/what-are-the-asam-levels-of-care/


Elevate facilities and legal fictitious names are now legally under a for-profit company called  ENLIGHTICARE, INC. Since Dec 2017

However, they have not updated their entity change with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) liceing department ( as of March 20th, all are still listed as under Halcyon Hoprizons Inc. That's a big no no. )  Maybe someone has time to report this, with the Fictitious Name registry details below
www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Documents/Status_Report_March_2018.pdf

Halsyon Horizons Incorporated ( formerly Narconon Nor thern California ) is still an active non-profit corp
https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/CBS/SearchResults?SearchType=CORP&SearchCriteria=HAlcyon+Horizons&SearchSubType=Keyword

But in mid 2017, Halcyon Horizons Incorporated asked for, and received an 'AG No Objections Letter' by the State Attorney General to sell it's assets.. 
http://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Download.aspx?saveas=AG+No+Objections+Letter.pdf&document_id=09027b8f802dc006

Search link: California Registry of Charitable Trusts
http://rct.doj.ca.gov/Verification/Web/Search.aspx?facility=Y

California corporation filing
C4088722    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.
Jurisdiction: DELAWARE
Entity Type:FOREIGN STOCK
Registration Date: 12/07/2017
View registration and annual report here
https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/CBS/SearchResults?SearchType=CORP&SearchCriteria=ENLIGHTICARE%2C+INC&SearchSubType=Keyword

They transferred / registered the Elevate related names and property as follows:

January 2, 2018 - Santa Cruz Record Fictitious Name announcement
https://santacruzrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/scr1-2-18.pdf   new Business Filings Enlighticare, Inc.  Elevate   Elevate Addiction Services  Aptos  CA  95003

Santa Cruz County Fictitious Names
http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/clerkrecorder/Asp/FBNInquiry.asp

Now
ENLIGHTICARE, INC.
Please select a Document Number to view the document details.
Business Name    FBN Number    Registrant    File Date
ELEVATE ADDICTION SERVICES    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE RECOVERY SERVICES    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE TREATMENT SERVICES    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE TREATMENT CENTERS    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE ADDICTION TREATMENT    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE REHAB CENTERS    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE RECOVERY    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE RECOVERY CENTERS    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE REHABS    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
ELEVATE    2017-0002078    ENLIGHTICARE, INC.    12/27/2017
   
Change:
HALCYON HORIZONS
FBN Number:      2015-0001713
Filed:      9/29/2015
Expiration Date:      9/29/2020
Publication Date:      11/4/2015
Abandonment Date:      12/27/2017
Abandonment Publication Date:      1/31/2018

Business Name(s):         Registrant Name(s): 
ELEVATE ADDICTION TREATMENT (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)       HALCYON HORIZONS, INCORPORATED (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)
ELEVATE REHABS (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)    
ELEVATE TREATMENT CENTERS (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)    
ELEVATE RECOVERY SERVICES (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)    
ELEVATE RECOVERY CENTERS (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)    
ELEVATE REHAB CENTERS (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)    
ELEVATE ADDICTION SERVICES (Abd: 12/27/2017 pub: 1/31/2018)


Counnty property transaction records show the switch in names:

General Legal Description Related Documents
Document Detail
Instrument #:   2017-0039350
Multi Seq:   0
Date Filed:   11/22/2017 08:30:24 AM
Document Type:   DEED
Book:   
Page:   
Remarks:   
# Pages in Image:   2
Image:   
Grantor Names
1   P   HALCYON HORIZONS INC      
Grantee Names
1   P   ENLIGHTICARE INC      
Returnee
Name:   
Address:   
   
City, State, Zip:



Parcel Info
APN
Situs Address
Class
10932103
262 GAFFEY RD,
WATSONVILLE , 95076-9731
062-HOMESITE/5-19.9 ACRE
Transfers
Document #
Transfer Date
Indicated Price
Reappraisal Descr
2017-0039352
11/22/2017
$1,750,000
Reappraise
2015-0036463
9/8/2015
$0
NoReappraisal
      


Parcel Info
APN
Situs Address
Class
10932102
261 GAFFEY RD,
WATSONVILLE , 95076-9731
062-HOMESITE/5-19.9 ACRE
Transfers
Document #
Transfer Date
Indicated Price
Reappraisal Descr
2017-0039350
11/22/2017
$280,000
Reappraise
-------------

I appreciate all you have written here. Its going to take me some time to review it all but I wanted to at least get this info out to you.

[Mary_McConnell]

I also want to copy and paste the "contract" they have you sign upon admission.  I think much is self explanatory.  They have you sign the contract again after you've been in detox a bit and supposedly more clear headed as many enter under the influence.   I signed it again but was still on Ativan and not of sound mind.  The second signing of the contract then includes an addendum.  The contract is very interesting in that the claim addicts are manipulative by nature and the detox portion will determine if the facility is right for you or not, yet that addicts will try to get out of the program as it's a common avoidance technique to problems and it's imperative the addicts family don't take the side of the addict but to contact them about the program so they can be better informed...again this is all designed for monetary purposes.

I'm sure we'd love to see the "contract", but am not sure it would be advisable if you're considering legal action.  Mary McConnell can probably better advise you on that than I can.  She should be along in the next day or two and can reply to you.  I will give you PM capabilities (which normally kick in after 5 posts, but I sometimes make exceptions) so you can communicate privately with her.

Hi ethercat, thanks.

Yes, Olive, best to contact me and I will go over the concerns and what if's   and what to do if you feel you want to post the contract.  You  can message me or use my profile contact address. Just click my Name to the left of my comment here.

[Mary_McConnell]

I also want to copy and paste the "contract" they have you sign upon admission.  I think much is self explanatory.  They have you sign the contract again after you've been in detox a bit and supposedly more clear headed as many enter under the influence.   I signed it again but was still on Ativan and not of sound mind.  The second signing of the contract then includes an addendum.  The contract is very interesting in that the claim addicts are manipulative by nature and the detox portion will determine if the facility is right for you or not, yet that addicts will try to get out of the program as it's a common avoidance technique to problems and it's imperative the addicts family don't take the side of the addict but to contact them about the program so they can be better informed...again this is all designed for monetary purposes.

It would be great if you could post it.  Consider uploading to scribd  http://www.scribd.com and them posting the link

This is my account there
https://www.scribd.com/user/10427819/Mary-McConnell