Nathan Baca Investigates Narconon

[mefree]

Posted by Nathan Baca on facebook:

Those who've known my previous stories on Scientology know that I've been putting together a 3 year investigation into a highly controversial drug rehab center. It will be posted online by Thursday on 8newsnow.com. In the meantime, he're a picture to set the scene.

 

http://www.8newsnow.com/story/19968806/i-team-patients-cant-win-at-scientology-rehab-center

[snippy]

Narconon Nevada - the one that isn't licensed?

[mefree]

I'm not sure if the focus of his investigation is Narconon in Nevada or in general.
Time will tell...

[snippy]

Any three year investigation into their shenanigans should turn up plenty.

[BigBeard]

Narconon Nevada - the one that isn't licensed?

Strictly speaking narCONon Nevada no longer exists. According to the Nevada Business Entity listing 'Narconon Nevada' is "Expired" and the only narCONon operating in Nevada is 'Narconon Southern California'. Apparently Nevada hasn't caught up with the fact narCONon International is changing the DBA of 'Narconon Southern California' to 'Narconon Fresh Start':

From the Nevada Secretary of State Business Entity Listing:

Entity Name NV Business ID Status Type
NARCONON NEVADA Expired Reserved Name
NARCONON NEVADA Expired Reserved Name
NARCONON NEVADA Expired Reserved Name
NARCONON NEVADA Expired Reserved Name
NARCONON NEVADA Expired Reserved Name
NARCONON NEVADA Expired Reserved Name
NARCONON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NV20041660095 Active Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Sole

Details on the NN SOU CA listing:

NARCONON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Business Entity Information
Status: Active File Date: 11/23/2004
Type: Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Sole Entity Number: CS31512-2004
Qualifying State: NV List of Officers Due: 11/30/2012
NV Business ID: NV20041660095 Business License Exp:

From the IRS Exempt Organization listing:

330911677 NARCONON INTERNATIONAL GLENDALE CA 91204-1331 2595 03 9 NARCONON FRESH START (Was NN Sou CA)

The California Business Entity listing shows this for Narconon Fresh Start:

Entity Name:   NARCONON FRESH START
Entity Number:   C2213359
Date Filed:   02/23/2000
Status:   ACTIVE
Jurisdiction:   CALIFORNIA
Entity Address:   6161 SANTA MONICA BLVD STE 208
Entity City, State, Zip:   LOS ANGELES CA 90038
Agent for Service of Process:   DONNA CASSELMAN
Agent Address:   6161 SANTA MONICA BLVD STE 208
Agent City, State, Zip:   LOS ANGELES CA 90038

An 'Anon' poster over on WWP says they are actually going by the name "Narconon Fresh Start Rainbow Canyon Retreat", which is operated by the "Narconon Fresh Start Corp." (Formerly Narconon Southern California) DBA of Narconon International. So far there's no listing for any form of Narconon Fresh Start in Nevada, and every listing with "Rainbow Canyon" in it is showing 'Revoked' status.

So, apparently they haven't gotten around to changing the sign to whatever they're actually calling themselves this week. And whatever it is, it hasn't been registered in Nevada yet.

[snippy]

This is circular. Bizapedia shows this:

Bizapedia: This information is current as of July 23, 2012.
   
Company Name:    NARCONON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
   Status:    Active    
Filing Date:    11/23/2004
Entity Type:    Domestic Non-Profit Corporation Sole    
File Number:    CS31512-2004
Filing State:    Nevada (NV)       
Company Age:    8 Years, 11 Months    
List Due Date:    11/30/2012

Registered Agent:    
Incorp Services, Inc.
2360 Corporate Circle Ste 400
Henderson, NV 89074-7722   

SUBSCRIBER
Christopher Bauge
2360 Corporate Circle - Suite 400
Henderson, NV 89074-7722   

SUBSCRIBER
Glenn Farnsworth
2360 Corporate Circle - Suite 400
Henderson, NV 89074-7722   

SUBSCRIBER
Larry Trahant
2360 Corporate Circle - Suite 400
Henderson, NV 89074-7722   

SUBSCRIBER
Linda Kloeffler
2360 Corporate Circle - Suite 400
Henderson, NV 89074-7722   
============================== ==============================
California Licensing agency ADP shows:

Program Name: HUNTINGTON HARBOR HOUSE    (RES-DETOX  Res Capacity 6)
Legal Name: Narconon SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
17123 ROUNDHILL DRIVE
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92649
(949)675-8988         Orange County, CA

Note: Original was Newport Beach.
============================== ==============================
2010 IRS 990 form shows:
Name Change and Address Change - Yes

Name of the orgamzation: NARCONON FRESH START (formerly Narconon Southern California)
Employer Identification number: 33-0911677

4a
Narconon Fresh Start operates five drug rehabilitation facilities
delivering the Narconon drug rehabilitation program under a trademark
license from Narconon International. This unique 3-to-5 month program
includes a detoxification procedure and courses in life skills. During the
year more than 600 individuals received approximately 509,600 hours of drug
rehabilitation services including over 6,000 life skills courses, enabling
them to lead more ethical and drug-free lives.

p.29

Form 990, Part VI, Line 4 - Significant Changes to Organizational Documents
Effective March 17, 2011, the Organization filed Amended Articles of Incorporation
changing its name to Narconon Fresh Start.
Narconon Southern California's 990 claims they operate 5 Narconons:

==============================
MaryMcC and Sunshine collected a lot of info also. I think they understand it best. I do not, but hold out hope that someday I will.

http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,10027.msg22015/topicseen.html#msg22015

==============================

[BigBeard]

Very circular. But in Nevada, whatever they may advertise themselves as, until they update their business entity listing they are still Narconon Southern California. Regardless of the DBA to Narconon Fresh Start they may have done with the IRS.

Essentially what they're doing is using one IRS Exempt Organization, EIN 330911677, and saying it operates multiple branches in California and Nevada. The problem is, their state business entity listings aren't being changed as fast as their advertising changes.

[snippy]

Is any of this illegal, either from false advertising, state licensing or IRS standpoint?

[mefree]

Part 1 of Baca's story was added to first post.

[Witnessman]

Part 2:  http://www.8newsnow.com/story/19970259/i-team-loophole-lets-rehab-center-slide-under-radar

[BigBeard]

Ummm...The bill number of the 'loophole closing bill' got left out of the story. It'd help people's 'pooning efforts if they knew what it is.

[who me?]

The staff that Baca lists as not being state certified are all certified by Breining Institute (still not the state) on this list: http://www.addictionspecialists.com/search.php?all=1&search=ca
There are 29 people listed for Caliente, NV on that list. There is an outpatient non-NN facility called New Frontier in Caliente, so some of these names may be associated with that facility and not NN if they were certified by Breining-a cross reference with state certification might sort that out but the state site only shows a list of detox certified people.
The ones that have expired certification like Anchondo (who spoke to Nathan) may have left, and ex-staff may be useful for info about the program.

These are all Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS)
Name; Cert #; Initial Registration; Status; Renewal Date
Arthur A. Simoni; S1011172355; Dec 13, 2010; Active; Dec 13, 2012
Benjamin Ross Richie; R1207311535; Sep 27, 2012; Active; Sep 27, 2014
Brett Carson Yates; Y0909111524; Sep 11, 2009; Active; Sep 11, 2013
Brian Charles Foe; F0909141241; Nov 2, 2009; Active; Nov 2, 2013
Bryan Christopher Regis; R0909171941; Nov 2, 2009; Active; Nov 2, 2013
Bryce Richard Linnell; L0909142129; Oct 19, 2009; Active; Oct 19, 2013
Charles Chris Marino; M0909141309; Oct 19, 2009; Active; Oct 19, 2013
Charles Jason Colelli; C0911041914; Nov 24, 2009; Active; Nov 24, 2013
Clinton Charles Hinds; H0909111300; Nov 2, 2009; Active; Nov 2, 2013
David Jeremy Venemon; V0909141237; Oct 5, 2009; Active; Oct 5, 2013
Erika Jennifer Smith; S0909141232; Nov 2, 2009; Active; Nov 2, 2013
Gordon Fonde Van Note; V0909141312; Oct 5, 2009; Active; Oct 5, 2011
Jacob Martin Dominguez; D1112011229; Apr 17, 2012; Active; Apr 17, 2014
Jennifer Rose Rankel; R1208010941; Sep 24, 2012; Active; Sep 24, 2014
John Paul Anchondo; A0911041905; Nov 24, 2009; Active; Nov 24, 2011
John Robert Wright; W1207311642; Sep 24, 2012; Active; Sep 24, 2014
Karl Richard Tempest; T1111302041; Apr 17, 2012; Active; Apr 17, 2014
Kate Michele Link; L1011182131; Dec 6, 2010; Active; Dec 6, 2012
Marjorie Searson; S0909121310; Oct 5, 2009; Active; Oct 5, 2013
Norman Wade Milligan; M1011191955; May 26, 2011; Active; May 26, 2013
Patricia Suzanne Rocheville; R1105041043; Jul 11, 2011; Active; Jul 11, 2013
Patrick Kyle Church; C1106051859; Jan 26, 2012; Active; Jan 26, 2014
Stacy Alla ALLA Ressel Gudmundsson; R1011172352; Feb 18, 2011; Active; Feb 18, 2013
Stephanie Isobel Streenan; S0911041923; Jun 13, 2011; Active; Jun 13, 2013
Tammie Dean Hanger; H1011161915; Dec 13, 2010; Active; Dec 13, 2012
William Tensley Williams; W0908251517; Oct 5, 2009; Active; Oct 5, 2013

These are interns with a registration number that starts with RI-
Name; Registration; Initial Registration; Status; Renewal Date
Michael James Smith; RI-S1011161441; Nov 16, 2010; Active; Nov 16, 2012
Meghan Elizabeth Dubielewicz; RI-D1208011020; Aug 1, 2012; Active, Aug 1, 2014
Laci Shantelle Thornton; RI-T1011191529; Nov 19, 2010; Active; Nov 19, 2012

All are on the Breining Institute site and all are listed as active even if they are expired.

Modified to add the caution about some people may be part of the non-NN facility in Caliente.

[BigBeard]

narCONon started using the Breining Institute for RAS certifications a while back. These are the requirements for obtaining an RAS from Brieining:

55 hours formal education in alcohol and other drug abuse (AOD) studies (may be obtained through distance learning programs),

160 hours supervised AOD training; and

2,080 hours (about one year) work experience providing counseling services in an AOD program
-
You will then need to
pass the RAS Exam,

The RAS exam is a
multiple-choice exam
-
administered five-days-a-week at over 170 test centers throughout the United States
-
 Included in the exam fee is a comprehensive study guide that contains all of the information that may be asked on the exam
-
A free on-line tutorial, prepared by Breining Institute, that follows the study guide, chapter-by-chapter, is also available to help you prepare for the exam
-
You will receive your test results immediately upon finishing the exam

The Breining Institue is legit, but it's very easy for places that aren't, like narCONon, to get around the:

"55 hours formal education in alcohol and other drug abuse (AOD) studies (may be obtained through distance learning programs), 160 hours supervised AOD training; and 2,080 hours (about one year) work experience providing counseling services in an AOD program."

The narCONon involved just certifies the narCONon staff training and experience using El Ron's dreck as meeting these requirement for the individual involved. Then they have people essentially memorize the test guide before taking the on-line exam.

There's a thread somewhere over on WWP that went into how NN basically runs a scam on Breining Institute to get these RAS certifications, being careful to tell people to answer the test questions with the required answer, but to ignore anything that conflicts with El Ron when it comes to actual NN operations.

Also keep in mind, an RAS from Breining is NOT a state license.




 

[mefree]

The certifications are probably fraudulent, too. Additional information on certifications here from BMF:
http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,8408.msg26009.html#msg26009

[who me?]

I know that NN fraud and the certification organization issues are problematic, however, should Baca or others want a list of staff (some current and many likely past staff) that might speak out, this might be a starting place for names. For the nevada NN, the sparse population makes it more likely that these are all NN staff (or ex-staff) and most would be ex-students.

[mefree]

I know that NN fraud and the certification organization issues are problematic, however, should Baca or others want a list of staff (some current and many likely past staff) that might speak out, this might be a starting place for names. For the nevada NN, the sparse population makes it more likely that these are all NN staff (or ex-staff) and most would be ex-students.

Good point.

[snippy]

The certifications are probably fraudulent, too. Additional information on certifications here from BMF:
http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,8408.msg26009.html#msg26009

In case anyone missed that here is the quote from BMF:

The "seminars" Kent gave to get the certifications were him telling the staff the answers to the test and then administering the test knowing the staff had answer keys.  I saw him do this.  Only two or three staff had the necessary, verifiable hours on the different aspects of their required hours.  I was one of them.  The cert meant nothing to me after I saw how the cheating was done and I brought it to my seniors attention and nothing happened as a result.  All for the "greater good".  Kent was later selling CADC certs to Narconon's with no testing done or hours.  PITA group he calls it.  What a joke.

Where do they draw the line? They are above the law. They seem to have no sense of morals at all. Honestly, I would not put anything past them.

[Mary_McConnell]

Very circular. But in Nevada, whatever they may advertise themselves as, until they update their business entity listing they are still Narconon Southern California. Regardless of the DBA to Narconon Fresh Start they may have done with the IRS.

Essentially what they're doing is using one IRS Exempt Organization, EIN 330911677, and saying it operates multiple branches in California and Nevada. The problem is, their state business entity listings aren't being changed as fast as their advertising changes.

Narconon Fresh Start is not a dba with the IRS. The name of the organization was changed with the IRS to Narconon Fresh Start from Narconon Southern CAlifornia.

Narconon Fresh Start, a California corporation, is the name for the whole program formerly run as So Cal ( including Nevada program income and expanses which are included in their 990 tax returns) and has been for about 2 years now. For some reason, however, they registered in Nevada as Narconon Southern California  - a Nevada corporation - ( not foreign which is how it was before thy got their corp status revoked for nonfiling) and they did thie after Narconon Fresh Start was the legal name of the company.

Me thinks they are running a fraud in Nevada because there is no legal entity by the name of Narconon Southern California anymore. And in Caliente, all their properties are still under the legal name NArconon Southern CAlifornia. They were supposed to change them when they changed the legal name with the IRS and the California Secretary of State. Their last 990 shows their name as Narconon Fresh Start ( formerly Narconon Southern California )

They registered as a Nonprofit org in both states.

[ethercat]

Moderator Note: The discussion regarding Narconon Fresh Start/Sunshine Summit Lodge has been split to its own topic, here:
http://forum.reachingforthetippingpoint.net/index.php/topic,11980.0.html

[mefree]

Part of a "Rainbow Canyon Retreat" contract.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/f01.justanswer.com/JACUSTOMERc5joqaf2/2012-01-19_210312_20120119130140518.pdf

Mom was asking for advice on justanswer.com about a year ago related to her 16-year-old son.

Our minor son was admitted into a Narconon facility in Nevada by me and his father. He did not complete the program of 8 courses and was kicked out. We would like to receive 50% of our funds but have been unsucessful. We believe that they mismanaged our minor child that they were fully responsible for. Any suggestions?

http://www.justanswer.com/law/64brs-minor-son-admitted-narconon-facility-nevada.html