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Wapakoneta Daily
News 06/28/00
Former Way member alleges wrongdoing
By SHANNON McGLAUGHLIN
SIDNEY -- The Way International Inc. is facing litigation from another former
member.
Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based attorney Lawrence Levy has filed a lawsuit in
Shelby County Common Pleas Court on behalf of Ms. Parker, a member of The
Way for approximately 20 years. In the suit, Parker alleges she was subjected to
breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unjust enrichment, civil
conspiracy, racketeer influence and corrupt organization.
The suit names as defendants the Rev. Loy C. Martindale, former president of
The Way; current Way president Rosalie F. Rivenbark; John R. Reynolds, a legal
representative for the Way; and Way members Donald E. Wierwille and Howard R.
Allen.
According to the complaint, Parker was recruited by the New Knoxville-based
religious group in the winter of 1978 and became an employee of the
organization. Parker's complaint claimed because of promises made to her by The
Way and its leadership, she "abandoned her family, friends and discontinued
the pursuit of her secular education, underwent training in the apprentice Way
Corps at her own expense, worked as directed by the Way Leadership and The Way
International ... all in pursuit of receiving the 'deferred benefits' which she
tacitly agreed to defer."
Parker further alleged The Way and its leaders breached their contract with
her by "creating impossible working conditions including, but not limited
to, requiring (Parker) to submit to sexual assault as a condition of continued
employment" with the organization.
Parker also claimed The Way misused its relationship with her "so as to
cause the failure of (Parker's) marriage, to coerce (Parker) into taking obscene
photographs of Defendant Rev. Martindale and to posing for similar
photographs."
Parker further alleged The Way leaders shared confidential information about
the female members of The Way -- including herself -- with other Way members.
Parker stated she was subjected by officials of The Way to "humiliation
... for their own personal amusement and gratification."
Parker, whose address is being withheld by the court because of her
"fear of physical harm or threats from current or former (Way
International) adherents," is seeking $25,000 as well as punitive damages,
attorney's fees and any other awards determined by the court.
According to court documents, the defendants were served summons dated June
23 and have 28 days to answer the complaint.
The Way International is also facing a lawsuit filed in April by former
members The Allens, claiming breach of contract, assault and
intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud in a fiduciary capacity,
defamation of character and civil conspiracy.
The suit also alleges The Way and its leadership engaged in a "pattern
of corrupt activity" as defined by the Ohio Revised Code "including,
but not limiting to acts of theft, fraud, coercion, assault and rape."
Martindale, Rivenbark, Reynolds, Wierwille and Allen are also named as
defendants in the Allens' suit, as are Ramona Biden and up to 50 unnamed members
of "The Way Leadership." Attorneys for The Way filed a motion May 15
to force the Allens to name those unnamed defendants or drop them from the suit.
After the Allens filed the suit, Martindale admitted to having an affair with
Mrs. Allen, but claimed it was mutually consentual. Martindale resigned as
president of The Way effective April 20.
Way International spokesman Rico Magnelli was unavailable for comment on the
suit at press time, and the organization has not yet released an official
statement.
Levy, who is also representing the
Allens, said Monday he will not be taking
on any further cases involving The Way, but said he would not be surprised if
similar lawsuits crop up in the future.
"If ground is fertile and the rain comes and the sun shines, then it may
be ripe for the picking," Levy said. "I am somewhat amazed that there
aren't more."
Staff writer William Laney contributed to this story.
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