Dederich appeared at a press conference and declared the city had fallen into the hands of Mad Dogs and Synanon would sue them all. Morantz was bitten and hospitalized for 11 days. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). Imperial Marines were shock troopers that primarily served on Imperial-class Star Destroyers as defence provided by the Stormtrooper Corps. Before the snake in the mailbox, Dederich, to escape a warrant for his arrest in Washington, D.C. fled to Europe where he returned to alcohol drinking. Correcting Claire Clarks Recovery Revolution, Book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults. [citation needed]. [14] The practice has been charactized as a form of attack therapy. After his small group, called "Tender Loving Care", gained a significant following, Dederich incorporated the organization into the Synanon Foundation in 1958. Remarkably, the authorities refused to intercede. Marino said: "I thought they were going to kill us.". At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Tulare County Planning Commission approved a final site plan for the Sequoia Resort, which will house 67 vacation rental units on a 71-acre property formerly owned by Synanon, a drug rehabilitation turned religious cult that operated a commune on the . It left a droopy eye and a facial tick. The games turned on one than another. Morantz had prepared for that. that on remote properties in California such as at Marshall in Marin County and in Badger, Tulare County, Synanon had erected buildings without the legally-required permits, had created a trash dump, and built an airstrip. The influence and culture of the Synanon organization, which was founded by Charles Dederich Sr., started as a drug rehabilitation program in the late 1950's. . [43], Straight Life: The Story of Art Pepper includes several chapters (21 - 23) about living at Synanon from 1969 - 1971.[44]. The Grand Jury report also rebuked the governmental authorities involved for their lack of oversight, although it stopped short of directly interceding in the Synanon situation. But in fact Robson had failed and the violence memos, including the Garfield-Robson letters were scatter in the Synanon San Franciso warehouse which was opened for copying to the law firm of Lillick, Mchose and Charles (to avoid discovery sanctions) who then found them (Synanon vs. ABC; IRS vs. Synanon). Morantz had successfully brought suit on behalf of a woman abducted by Synanon, winning a $300,000 judgment, obtained release of children, gave information to the press and lobbied (defeating) another Synanon bill written by Herschel Rosenthal. Women removed all makeup and jewelry, a symbolic stripping of past selves. Fighting to stay awake, defenses wiped away, the unbroken broke and asked for forgiveness. Mr. Dederich even kept an elite squad of enforcers that he called the Imperial Marines. The Synanon organization also developed a business that sold promotional items. Containment was instituted, which meant no contact with the outside world. Dederich refused all suggestions. Six weeks later, the Los Angeles Police Department performed a search of the ranch in Badger that found a recorded speech by Dederich in which he said, "We're not going to mess with the old-time, turn-the-other-cheek religious postures Our religious posture is: Don't mess with us. (Mitchell, Light on Synanon. Children were often recruited from the Synaon schools and trained in military techniques with the growing stockpile of munitions Dederich had purchased. It was first offered to the selected few as an honor, but the entire population was eventually targeted. Your IP: Ofshe, Richard. (Synanon Punk Squad Files; Deposition of Synanon school master, Morantz vs. Synanon, IRS vs. Synanon), Dederich was ahead of times in ordering aerobics, running, diets and non smoking. IMPERIAL MARINES, AND DOPE FIENDS by George Pendle, Cabinet Magazine, Winter 2012-2013 . Mitchell developed a deep throat in the Sheriff department, Art Disterheft. Monetary donations came in from the rich and Hollywood, as guys like Robert Wagner, Leonard Nimoy and Ben Gazzra came to Synanon to play the game with ex-addicts and ex-hookers. A search of the vehicle turned up a fingerprint that matched one of Dederich's so-called "Imperial Marines," a no-nonsense security detail unafraid to employ violence should the moment call for it . (Deposition of Paul Morantz, Morantz vs. Synanon; People vs. Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon. Sternberg, David. The 1965 Columbia Pictures movie Synanon, directed by Richard Quine, was set at (and filmed in) Synanon; it starred Edmond O'Brien as Chuck Dederich, as well as Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens, Richard Conte, and Eartha Kitt. All three minors were then returned to Ms. White. During the first stage, members did community and housekeeping labor. At eight a.m. Monday hand in hand the Trippers went down the corridor toward the sounds of band music. As a condition of probation, he was disallowed from taking part in managing Synanon. The concept was based on law that even charities are taxed if they commit acts against public policy. According to Department of Justice records, Dederich discussed the possibility of Morantzs assassination with Synanon Imperial Marines leader Doug Robson. Synanon disbanded in 1991[6] due to members being convicted of criminal activities (including attempted murder) and retroactive loss of its tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) due to financial misdeeds, destruction of evidence, and terrorism. Legal problems continued, despite this change. The 'marines' retaliated by clubbing him over the head. He would never bond with kids again, including his own until they became adults. The concept of lifetime rehabilitation did not agree with therapeutic norms, and eventually in l977 attorney Paul Morantz would bring to the Health Depts attention that the group was running an unauthorized medical clinic and taking in people with medical needs Synanon had no license to treat. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Synanon claimed it had cured thousands but by 1967 Dederich turned the organization into a "lifestyle" by recruiting non-addicts ("Squares") and building cities in Marin County, then Tulare County and eventually Lake Havasu. Some cried for their mothers. Synanon was a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and movement-turned-cult in California that existed from 1958 to 1991. decided to create his own program to respond to their needs. Beginning in the mid-1970s, women were required to shave their heads (men did the same and bib overalls became the uniform). Synanon is a word of his own invention integrating togetherness (syn) with the unknown (anon). Tax issues arose. (Mitchell, the Light on Synanon). Outsiders were permitted to attend the "Synanon Game" there as well. Its members believed in Synanon enemies and encroachment of spies, created their own words (synanese), sought isolation from outside contaminants and committed to its destiny. Physically Dead. Morantzs name was mentioned in the tape along with threats to get the wives and children of adverse lawyers. "Synanon: Toward Building a Humanistic Organization". Dederich is credited with coining the phrase Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life. (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon). [9] Bombs, he would say in l978 to news reporter Connie Chung (CBS NEWS l978), could go off in homes of critics (Deposition of Dederich, Synanon vs. Time, Inc.; Synanon vs. ABC). Let your ego golet things happen to you. put my Synanon evidence books on the kitchen counter", when he noticed "something dark and elongated through the grill of my mail chute". Was it a wonderful place to be? (Marin Grand Jury Report on Synanon l978). by | May 25, 2022 | why does kelly wearstler wear a brace | diy nacho cheese dispenser | May 25, 2022 | why does kelly wearstler wear a brace | diy nacho cheese dispenser Beatings of Synanon's opponents and its ex-members, "splittees", occurred across California. Many young teenagers who got too close to Synanon property were beaten brutally by Synanon mobs. At age 12 his mother remarried and Dederich went on a jealous rage turning to drinking and rebel rousing. Dederich bought and sold real estate. The "Game" was presented as a therapeutic tool, and likened to a form of group therapy; but it has been criticized as a form of a "social control", in which members humiliated one another and encouraged the exposure of one another's innermost weaknesses. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). Synanons ultimate biggest critic was Dederich himself. I am quite willing to break some lawyer's legs, and next break his wife's legs, and threaten to cut their child's arm off. [21] Furthermore, for their first ninety days in the community, members were expected to cease contact with outside friends and family. The 1984 TV movie Attack on Fear, directed by Mel Damski, written by T.S. [clarification needed] Synanon moved to create schooling for members, and Dederich wanted members to mentally change in order to improve society on the outside. His success in trapping so many people - at its height the cult had more than 1,300 members - resulting in a healthy bank balance, as its assets totaled about $33 million. One was four months pregnant. Aired: 06/14/2020 TV-14 | 2 years left Season 2 - Episodes 43:49 S2 - E1 Spiritual Warriors 43:49 [12] [14] Despite the Trip conversion success, the old-timers, the Retired Dope Fiends, aka The Walking Dead, remained a problem. Members were taught that if caught on a violent mission to go to jail and to not blame Synanon. synanon imperial marines. California donated a block long building in San Francisco. While in The Game, members criticized each other, but left as friends and supportive community members. Through a telehone call to Paul Morantz by the Marin County council, the Supervisors requested Morantz lobby to defeat the bill which was in its last committee for vote. Learn: American Rehab resources One was to participate only in Synanon. On September 21, 2008, the Marines tried to murder ex-member Phil Ritter. In October 1977, attorney Paul Morantz was embroiled in a civil suit against the cult when he was introduced to Synanon's violent side the so-called Synanon Imperial Marines. Teachers, lawyers, doctors, police, politicians, all got hooked, many forming an allegiance previously not matched in their lives to the group and trainers that trained them. Baby among 6 festival-goers sliced to death by glass-encrusted kite strings, BBC1's live FA Cup coverage hit by porn noises from mobile hidden by prankster, Three major energy suppliers paying you to turn off appliances tonight, Putin to make very important announcement on Ukraine war today', News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. According to court records, the cult formed a militant branch, known as the "Imperial Marines," to inflict violence against opponents of the organization. Sitting in comfortable green armchairs, they made the dope fiends tell their tales of drugs, rape, crime and beatings. I really do want an ear in a glass of alcohol on my desk. Life Magazine did a 14 page photo spread, which a Congressman called the Miracle on the Beach, and Columbia Pictures made a movie Synanon, starring Edmond OBrien, Chuck Conners and Stella Stevens. (Robert Jay Lifton, Coercive Persuasion, the Psychology of Totalism). Teeth were knocked out. More than 80 people had been attacked by Synanon, Morantz said. Synanon struggled to survive without its leader but with a severely tarnished reputation. Read More. Synanons purchase of over $200,000 dollars of weapons from a single gun store also brought media attention. Convicted, rather than move as condition of probation he chose to go to jail. He volunteered for a Dr. Keith Ditman LSD experiment and felt he had a cathartic break through and now understood the world and that good and bad were the same. Some rolled up on the floor in fetal positions. But he nearly lost his life as a result of his investigation into Synanon. He got a job at Hughes Tools. A Grand Jury in Marin County, pushed by Paul Morantz, issued a scathing report in March of 1978 attacking Synanon for its child abuse and for the profits that flowed to Dederich, weapons, threat and also attacking authorities for their lack of oversight. The new drug rehabs that came afterwards followed the advice of Dr. Dan Casriel who wrote the first book on Synanon. According to court records, the cult formed a militant branch, known as the Imperial Marines, to inflict violence against opponents of the organization. The group is featured in the 2021 book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by American linguist Amanda Montell. One just had to surrender to Synanon. While the early Synanon has been declared a success by most observers, there were also early critics who claimed the success only applied to those who remained in the environment where no drugs was pushed by peers or in cases of old timers who had reached saturation point. He had been trying to get his child out of the cult, and had gone to the authorities complaining of forced vasectomies in Synanon. When one woman successfully fled and managed to get a lawyer to aid her legal case against the organization, that lawyer found himself the victim of a rattlesnake that had been placed in . The game was eventually used to pressure people to submit to Dederich's will, abort pregnancies, undergo vasectomies, and commit violence. [7], Dederich eventually changed his way of thinking about Synanon and transformed it into something resembling a human progressive group. In the summer of 1978 NBC produced a hard hitting news segment on Synanon. The organization developed a business that sold promotional items, a successful enterprise that eventually generated roughly $10 million per year of revenue. In 1967, Synanon purchased the Club Casa del Mar, a large beachside hotel in Santa Monica, as its headquarters and a dormitory for those undergoing treatment for drug addiction. He had outsmarted Synanon and its team of lawyers. "[7][8], Charles Dederich, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), was known to speak for hours uninterrupted at AA meetings. Synanon.) (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). Synanon began as a two-year residential program, but Dederich soon concluded that its members could never graduate, because a full recovery was impossible. For the film, see, Synanon's influence in the behavior-modification field. Addicts behaviors and past lives were attacked viciously in games, members were told their lives depended on staying, contacts with family were prohibited, and a system of rewards and punishments was applied. Dederich became an AA favorite speaker and went to an AA meeting every day. [20], Entrance into the Synanon community required a strong initial commitment. After several inquiries into their practices and financial holdings, Board of Directors passed declaration which made Synanon . Given its growing popularity, it began to spread throughout California, and Synanon became a counter-culture community by 1964. He gathered his own following in AA and after a time of meetings at apartments, they rented a small store in seedy Venice. Synanon evicted by tossing people and belongings out of apartments (even off a roof). Deadly Cults is back for a chilling second season, starting Sunday, April 26 at 7pm ET/PT on Oxygen. Paul Morantz, an American attorney and investigative journalist has written substantially about the cult - as he delves into brainwashing cases for victims. In 1977, a group of Synanon thugs pistol-whipped a truck driver who had cut off their vehicle on a highway. The imprisonment made Dederich a public martyr. Through dissipation, or long hours of activity without very much sleep, we hope to bring about in you a conscious state of inebriation we want to get you loaded without acid. His successful prosecution of Synanon led to an attempt against his life, by means of a rattlesnake. It will produce a new breed of human beings with greatly expanded potentials. Copyright Paul Morantz. Skip to content It's Time for Morning Meeting Sharing our Synanon Stories Menu About Stories Contact Kids Places Faces Philosophy The End Early Days Work Play 'imperial marines 1978' Leave a Reply Cancel reply Several of the famous jazz musicians credited with cure returned to drugs. [14] Upon their arrival, those newcomers were forced to quit using drugs cold turkey, going through withdrawal for the first few days in the program. Paddy Wagons awaited Synanon protesters. The broken joined the attack. Plus, control freak Dederich wanted even more power. . visited in 1962, lived there in 1963 and wrote a book about his experiences. Founder of Synanon House for drug addicts Charles Dederich, Chuck Dederich stands by his new wife, Ginny, at Synanon branch in Marshall, California, Founder of Synanon House for drug addicts Charles Dederich (centre) and staff members during rehabilitation session, Drug addicts at Synanon House for rehabilitation, Donald Trump announces enhanced counter-narcotics crackdown on drug cartels amid the coronavirus crisis, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Deborah Swisher, a former Synanon member, recounts her experiences growing up in several Synanon communes in her one-woman show Hundreds of Sisters and One Big Brother.[45]. He and his family were represented by Paul Morantz and Ed Martin in a civil suit. Publicly, Dederich warned that people should not mess with Synanon because the organization could not control its members. The Story of This Drug Rehab-Turned-Violent Cult Is Wild, Wild Country-Caliber Bizarre . Other journalists who took on Synanon were LA Times reporter Narda Zuchinno and CBSs Connie Chung. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Ex-Synanon members heard from members inside Synanon, that they had Morantzs address and that he was next, While Morantz was meeting with the California terrorist unit and LAPDID (intelligence) for protection on October 10, 2008, Synanon Marines Joe Musico and Lance Kenton, son of band leader Stan Kenton, as part of conspiracy with Dederich and other top officials, placed a 4-foot rattle snake sans rattles in Morantzs mailbox. The Foundation had the wire, an internal broadcasting system that played 24 hours with repeated talk of getting the enemies. (People vs. Dederich, Synanon memos on incident). But it was something much deadlier - the rattlesnake lashed out too quickly for Morantz to react, and its fangs sank into his wrist. Yes! This made him a public hero and Governor Edmund Brown, Sr. signed a save Synanon bill giving Synanon an exemption from Health licensing laws. They weren't welcomed. A Shepherd led them through candle-lit and incense-burning corridors to a locker room filled with rows of Army cots with name cards. Everyone was to cop-out (confess to past sins). (Dave Mitchell, The Light on Synanon). For other inquiries, Contact Us. [42], The author, journalist and activist Maia Szalavitz claims to chart the influence of Synanon in other programs including Phoenix House, Straight, Incorporated and Boot Camps in addition to those mentioned above. During the second stage, members worked outside of the community but still resided within the community. He later founded AREBA, the oldest surviving private addiction treatment centre in the United States, as well as Daytop Village, one of the world's largest therapeutic communities. : todayilearned Some believe Bettys Death unleashed Dederichs fury. LOS ANGELES -- Thirteen past and present members of Synanon, the controversial drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization, surrendered in court Tuesday on two secret indictments charging them. You will learn more about yourself, your fellow man, the world, the nature of reality in one weekend than you would in four years. During summer l978 California congressman, Herschel Rosenthal, a long-time Synanon supporter, attached a rider to a bill that if passed would exempt Synanon from all health licensing laws regardless of condition person taken in. Synanon sought religious status in 1974, with Diedrich as its leader. The snake did bite Attorney Paul Morantz, but he survived and went on to prosecute Synanon, as well as Church of Scientology, Hare Krishnas, and more. (Defendant's Statement of Material Facts at 68-74, 108-09.) Upon Synanons disobedience, 13 police vehicles surrounded the building and drew their weapons. His life was saved by a neighbor who applied a . Six weeks later the Los Angeles Police Department performed a search of the ranch in Badger that turned up a recorded speech by Dederich in which he said, Were not going to mess with the old-time, turn-the-other-cheek religious postures our religious posture is: Dont mess with us. ), On March 20, 1978, a former member of Synanon, Tom Cardineau was severely beaten (for being an alleged spy) while tied to a post during his honeymoon when he took his bride to show her where he had once lived on the Walker Creek Ranch. In lessons, children were taught how to fight the Holy War" to defend their leader. You can get killed Dead. [27] People who left the organization were at risk of physical violence for being a "splittee"; one ex-member, Phil Ritter, was beaten so severely that his skull was fractured and he subsequently fell into a coma with a near-fatal case of bacterial meningitis.[28][29][30]. Did Synanon betray me an wound me? And there was no way that its leader was going to share any of that with the taxman. The Imperial Marines was Synanon's private fighting force, trained inside the organization and heavily armed. They are both true. Several weeks later, October 10, 1978, two Synanon members placed a de-rattled rattlesnake in the mailbox of attorney Paul Morantz in Pacific Palisades, California. Drug users started coming, and the alcoholics objected, and since there was already AA Dederich tossed out the drunks and kept the dope fiends. A members sluring the words symposium and seminar led to name Synanon. Joe Musico proposed to the Board that at its June 26 meeting it reconsider the idea of an additional Synanon National Guard and place him in charge of training it. Performance & security by Cloudflare. If you do your best, you cant fail. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). For a shower, a hose ran through a window (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon). [5] Outside of The Game, members were required to act civilly to each other. Everyone bonded. Babies were taken from the parents and raised in the Hatchery. Mothers who wanted to see their kids too much were called head suckers. Children were reared communally in the Synanon School where eventually they wrote essays on Dederich telling everyone what to do, Syndo (karate) changing partners, childliness, and fighting the Holy War. (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon; Dederich, Childiness; Time Magazine l977). When all were exhausted Dederich returned and offered forgiveness for surrender. That is the end of that lawyer. September 21, 1978 ex-member Phil Ritter, was severely beaten by two members, causing him to fall into a coma for a week. When California officials set about revoking Synanons charitable trust status, Dederich declared Synanon a religion in 1974. It is currently active in Germany. . "It's kind of like saying you can't go to therapy," Nolan told reporters outside the courtroom. He noted psychological testing revealed Synanon members (dope fiends) were still anti-social and recommended that the games fierce attack on self be lightened over a time, and that psychological counseling be given along with follow-up care to those who exit. Professionals, even those without drug addictions, were eagerly invited to join, provided they transferred their assets to the organization. On June 13, 1977 it was decided that the Imperial Marines would help teach doctors martial arts. Synanon Holy War file memos on beating). Increasingly-wacko Dederich also created his own "Imperial Marines," while hundreds of his cult followers were ordered to get vasectomies and divorces! That is the end of that lawyer. XHTML: You can use these tags:

. Eventually followers took on the paranoia of its founder, Synanon developed the Imperial Marines and commenced a Holy War against its enemies. This article is about the organization. The two other Synanon Imperial Marines, one of whom was Lance Kenton, son of musician Stan Kenton, pleaded no contest to charges of assault and conspiracy to commit murder. "[28] During the investigations researchers also came across multiple lawsuits and arrests against Synanon members. The school attracted lawyers, screenwriters, and business executives, all wanting to educate their children in a progressive environment. Did Synanon save my life? They would adopt the Synanon family, said the board, or the fifth circle in Dantes hell, where tormented souls are terrorized and torn, awaited them. He existed on a $35 unemployment check and charity from others. Members were brainwashed, tortured mentally and barred from leaving the communityescaped members were subject to beatings. The concept of "lifetime rehabilitation" did not agree with therapeutic norms, and it was alleged[by whom?] Dederich placed them in a 72 hour game (stew) and harangued them for not seeing his vision. Much of the violence by Synanon had been carried out by a group within Synanon called the "Imperial Marines". (White vs. Butler, Herb Caen column, Pat Lynch, NBC Synanon segment 3.). [7] It has been called one of the "most dangerous and violent cults America had ever seen. By then Synanon's assets, including real estate, ten aircraft, 400 cars, trucks and motorcycles, totaled around $33 million. [7][32][33] This incident, along with the press coverage, prompted an investigation by the police and government into Synanon. "But it wasn't too long before I knew it was true," Morantz says. Dederich and his wife sat on thrones and often wore robs. Each person stripped and put on white robes. Synanon emphasized tough love and a cold turkey approach to rehabilitation for substance abusers. (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon, Columbia Pictures: Synanon). To recruit needed non addict club members, Dederich created The Trip, forerunner of Werner Erhards est training, which was a combination of group psychotherapy, coercive persuasion, mysticism and old fashion spiritual revival. The police told Synanon the kids were coming with them; the only question was how? Journal of Humanistic Psychology 18.3 (1978): 320. Morantz said: I had my first case in court involving them in June 1977. By the late 1970s, he'd formed a small army called the Imperial Marines, which committed dozens of heinous crimes, like mass beatings against defectors, whom Dederich called "splittees." He feared that Marines otherwise would have to work with untrained and undisciplined . Then it went to war. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Before the incident, Synanon investigator Chris Reynolds wrote a memo on Morantz, giving his home address to Synanon legal department. ", Los Angeles police officer Richard Grotsley holds the rattlesnake that bit attorney Paul Morantz. This became a successful enterprise that for a time generated roughly $10 million per year.[13]. [14][22], The game turned into a 72-hour version and was admitted by Dederich to be brainwashing. Unsurprisingly, abused kids began running away, helped by an 'underground railroad', led by neighboring rancher Alvin Gambonini, who tried to reunite them with their parents. Dederich was arrested for operating in Santa Monica without a health license and out of zone. Dig Deeper Listen: The American Rehab podcast series Read: Reveal's reporting on All Work, No Pay. (IRS v. Synanon; Morantz vs. Synanon; Winn vs. Synanon; Renfroe vs. Golden State). So, Lance Kenton and Joe Musico thought up this plan, and they went and found a rattlesnake," Aron said. 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