Racketeering and Revelation
September 17, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
Unidentified white powder, threats, and a nearly unbelievable web of deceit, lies, and intimidation are some of the elements in a recently filed a lawsuit claiming racketeering and religious fraud.
Phillip J. Kronzer, who established the Kronzer Foundation to uncover fraudulent religious practices, recently filed suit under Florida's Civil Racketeering, Influence and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, both to protect himself from continuing harassment and to expose alleged illegal activities among the parties named.
Kronzer's crusade against religious fraud began in 1994, when he lost his wife, Ardie, to devotees of the Medjugorje apparitions, a phenomenon still unapproved by the Catholic Church.
Kronzer has had success exposing religious charlatans, most notably self-proclaimed visionary Teresa Lopez, and has assisted victims of cult abuse, but past success and his continuing determination has made Kronzer the target of unrelenting wrath on the part of some individuals and groups.
The most recent campaign to destroy Kronzer involved mailing an unidentified white powder to local California police departments and at least one individual in imitation of anthrax hoaxes following the 9-11 disasters.
The sender sought to include remarks which would implicate Kronzer and lead to a possible conviction on federal terrorism charges and a life sentence. Other enemies attempted to link Kronzer to bomb and murder threats, and corporate fraud.
Kronzer has cooperated with federal and state authorities, voluntarily submitting to a lie detector test and supplying samples of his DNA for still on-going investigations.
The most startling aspect of the campaign against Kronzer is that these same tactics can be used against virtually anyone with enemies determined enough to take the risks required in initiating false local and federal criminal investigations.
The use of the RICO suit, however, significantly increases those risks. The court would treat the guilty defendants as a criminal organization.
Filed in 17th Circuit Court in Broward County, Florida, case number 03015135 names several individuals and organizations as defendants, including the controversial Caritas of Birmingham and its leader, Terry Colafrancesco.
Sources close to the Kronzer legal staff have told INA Today that they are very confident of a successful outcome to their case, especially because information helpful to the Kronzer allegations is leaking out of the defendant's camp.
INA Today will continue to cover and report to our readers on-going developments in this story.
See also:
Cult Abuse -- An Epidemic More Widespread Than AIDS
Messages, Signs, Wonders -- and Profits?
Terror, Gangs, Religious Fervor
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