Scientology sect company
Suspicious connection with American parcel service verified
UPS (United Parcel Service) loses process against Stuttgart consumer protection advocate on all points
Stuttgart, Germany
February 23, 2001
As reported by:
From: slrz
Newsgroups: de.soc.weltanschauung.scientology
Subject: Dubiose Verbindung mit amerikanischem Logistikkonzern bestätigt
Date: Thu, 08 Mar 2001 10:20:26 +0000Cologne/Stuttgart 23rd February 2001. The world's largest parcel service, United Parcel Service (UPS), has had to accept a bitter defeat from the Stuttgart consumer protection organization "Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V. (ABI). The legal decision is still not yet legally in force.
On February 1, 2001, the Berlin State Court decided to rescind a temporary restraining order which UPS had gotten placed against the ABI. It prohibited the association from revealing connections between UPS and the Scientology financial sect (case no. 27O682/00 of Nov. 2, 2000). In a subsequent hearing the court refused to enforce the order against ABI chairman Eberhard Kleinmann (case no. 270 682/00 of 1 Feb. 2001).
In the basis of its decision on 16 Feb. 2001, the court referred UPS specifically to the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ABI's statements enjoy the protection of Article 5, para. 1 of the freedom of opinion guaranteed by Basic Law (case no. 270 682/00 of 1 Feb. 2001)
In the background of both the UPS's applications were ABI press conferences in Berlin and Munich in October and November of 2000, as well as a press release which was distributed at that time. As a result federal parliamentary representatives Dr. Uwe Jens (SPD), Gunnar Uldall (CDU) and Rainer Funke (FDP) withdrew their mandate in academic counsel of UPS. The ABI , backed by evidence, reported on a UPS donation to a cover organization of the Scientology financial sect, of UPS payments to representatives of the US House of Representatives and of a delivery contract the Scientology sect had with UPS.
"The press release," said the court, "gave the understanding that the UPS was worried about its own commercial advantage in keeping the Scientology organization as a customer without endorsing Scientology's goals and appearing disreputable to the ABI or Kleinmann. A company pursuing its own commercial goals with no consideration for whom it does business with could also be considered worthy of criticism."
Eberhard Kleinmann, the ABI chairman, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision. "Even though the last months have not exactly been peaceful in face of the jail time UPS was threatening me with," said Kleinmann. The ABI chairman had calmly viewed the UPS's announcement of a continuation. He had received new evidentiary material against the UPS.
The ABI will continue to persistently focus on the infiltration of business by Scientology. On the side of German business, a need for information and explanation exists, as shown by the many requests [received]. There is also an intention to use the internet more as the ideal platform in order to distribute to target groups in business and politics, at a minimum of expense, a maximum of information about the Scientology sect.
Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V. is a charitable consumer protection establishment which deals with questions of training; its offices are in Stuttgart. The missions contained in its charter include individual consumer consultation. The ABI's mission also includes the observation of the psycho-market and sects, especially the Scientology psycho-sect. The ABI employs 20 staff on both a regular and volunteer basis, and was distinguished in 1971 with the Theodor-Heuss medal.
Eberhard Kleinmann, Chairman - Sean Lorenz, press spokesperson
From: slrz@my-deja.com Newsgroups: de.soc.weltanschauung.scientology Subject: UPS vs. Aktion Bildungsinformation BILDZEITUNG Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001On February 2, 2001, the ABI Bildzeitung published the following article:
Yesterday in Berlin in court
What does UPS have to do with Scientology?
by Marlene Meibes
"Anyone who sends a package with UPS should know that, by doing so, he is indirectly supporting the Scientology sect."
An assertion from Scientology observer Eberhard Kleinmann in a press release. The graduate engineer directs a consumer protection association, "Aktion Bildungsinformation (ABI)". Its mission includes observation of the psycho-market (the Scientology sect in particular).
The world's largest private parcel-delivery service, UPS (348,000 employees, 27 billion dollars yearly sales), got a temporary restraining order against that assertion.
Berlin State Court, yesterday at 10:30 a.m."
Eberhard Kleinmann: "We have evidence. UPS managers are given training in Costa Rica by the Scientologists. UPS pays the sect 23,000 dollars per manager. They have also closed delivery contracts."
The sect observer lists other payments. An American congressional representative has a connection with Scientology.
UPS attorney Dr. Thomas Brach does not dispute the payments. Only that they were consciously made, "You're giving a false impression."
The judge: "The question here is whether we are talking about facts, assessments or expressions of opinion."
Judgment: Temporary Restraining Order lifted.
Today the Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V. sent the following letter to the editor to the Mittelbayerische Zeitung:
Editor, Mittelbayerische Zeitung [address info]
Stuttgart, 03. November 2000
Letter to the editor concerning your article of October 26, 2000, "UPS defends self with lawsuit ..."
Dear Mr. Weigel,
With interest, we read your article about press conference on October 12, 2000 at the Berlin Hotel Esplanade held by the Aktion Bildungsinformation (ABI).
As you reported, UPS spokesman Hans-Peter Teufers (Cologne) dismissed reports about chicanery adn illicit work hours at UPS as stupid stuff. UPS was said to be suing for a cease-and-desist and has allegedly filed suit.
We are confirming that a demand to the effect of cease-and-desist has arrived but we have not signed it. The ABI is a charitable consumer protection establishment in questions of training. Part of our mission as described in our charter is the observation of the psycho-market and sects, especially the psycho-sect Scientology. It was with that in maind that the ABI made a statement in the realm of the above-referenced press conference concerning the suspicious connections between the American Scientology sect and the United Parcel Service as follows:
Scientology business sect: suspicious connections with the United Parcel Service (UPS)
Berlin/Stuttgart October 12, 2000. A large cover organization of the U.S. finance sect Scientology and numerous American Congressional Representatives have made large financial contributions to the United Parcel Service (UPS). BESIDES THAT the sect and its sub-organizations have closed delivery contracts with UPS. This was stated by Eberhard Kleinmann, Chairman of the Stuttgart consumer protection organization "Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V." (ABI) today at press conference in the Hotel Esplanade in Berlin.
"In this shared working environment the sect has come one step closer to its goal of increasing its influence upon business and continuing to disseminate L. Ron Hubbard's management technology," said Kleinmann. He also said that anyone who sends a package by UPS should know that by doing so he is increasing the sect's finances and power as well as adding to their war chest.
Research was conducted in Germany and through middlemen in New York and Clearwater, Florida after a resolution by Representatives of the American Senate accused the Federal Republic of Germany last year of serious human rights violations and of persecution and discrimination against religious minorities.
Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V. has evidence that almost fifty of these representatives have received contributions in amounts of up to 240,000 US$ from USA.
UPS contribution money has gone to the World Literacy Crusade Foundation (WLC), which works closely together with another cover organzations for Scientology, Applied Scholastics. WLC founder Alfreedie Johnson is said to be a Scientology member and appears in literature published by the sect as one who accuses psychiatry and psychiatrists of working in Third Reich fashion against socially disadvantaged and handicapped people with euthanasia and extermination programs. Both organizations pursue the goal of selling young people and adults the sect's ideology and study technology.
Conspicuous similarities between the management techniques of the UPS and of L. Ron Hubbard's totalitarian technology can be gleaned from documents available to the ABI. These report on inhumane working conditions, chicanery, manipulation of work council elections by UPS management and illicit work hours.
We view the cease-and-desist order as announced by press spokesman Teufers and further legal documents on the theme of Scientology with the composure required and with a quote from Roman statesman and historian Cicero as he wrote, "Justitia in suo cuique tribuento cernitur - Justice will be recognized by how it is meted out."
Inquiries:
Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V.
Alte Poststraße 5
70173 Stuttgart
Scientology
Suspicious connections with United Parcel Service (UPS)
Stuttgart, Germany
October 15, 2000
Newsgroups: de.soc.weltanschauung.scientologyThe Stuttgart consumer protection organization, "ABI, Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V.", in Stuttgart, published the following press release on October 12, 2000:
Press Release
Scientology sect business
Suspicious connections with United Parcel Service (UPS)
Berlin/Stuttgart October 12, 2000. A large cover organization of the U.S. Scientology financial sect and numerous American representatives have received considerable sums of money from the international delivery service, United Parcel Service (UPS). Besides that, the sect and its sub-organizations have delivery contracts with UPS. That was stated by Eberhard Kleinmann, chairman of the Stuttgart consumer protection organization "Aktion Bildungsinformation, e.V." (ABI), today in a press conference in the Hotel Esplanade in Berlin.
"By its joint work with UPS, the sect has come one step closer to its goal of increasing its influence in the economy and continuing to spread the management technology of L. Ron Hubbard," said Kleinmann. Anyone who sends his package by UPS should know that, by doing so, he is indirectly contributing the finances and power, as well as the war chest, of the sect.
After a resolution of November of last year from representatives of the American Congress accused the Federal Republic of Germany of serious human rights violations and of persecution and discrimination against religious minorities, the Germans did some research with middlemen in New York and Clearwater, Florida.
The ABI has evidence that almost fifty of these representatives received payments in amounts of up to 240,000 US dollars from the UPS.
UPS donation money has also gone to the "World Literacy Crusade Foundation" (WLC), which works closely with another Scientology cover organization, "Applied Scholastics." WLC founder Alfredie Johnson is said to be a member of Scientology and he appears in the sect's own publications as an accuser against psychiatry and against psychiatrists. In these writings, German psychiatrists and psychiatry are said to treat socially disadvantaged and handicapped people similarly to the euthanasia and extermination programs of the Third Reich. Both organizations follow the goal of leading both young people and adults to the sect's ideology and study technology.
Conspicuous similarities between UPS management technologies and L. Ron Hubbard's totalitarian management technology are evident from document the ABI has at its disposal. These report on inhuman working conditions, chicanery and manipulation of votes in the board of operations by UPS management and on illicit work hours.
The "Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V." is a charitable consumer protection establishment in issues of education. Its charter mission includes observation of the entire education market and individual consumer consultation. The ABI's mission also includes the observation of the psycho-market and sects, especially the Scientology psycho-sect.
12. October 2000
ABI, Aktion Bildungsinformation e.V. Mitglied des Paritätischen Bildungsverbandes Bundesverband e.V. Alte Poststraße 5 70173 Stuttgart
Allah has another Plan
The "Islamische Gemeinschaft Milli Goerues" attempts to evade a ban by the Interior Minister
Stuttgart, Germany
October 13, 2001
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
http://www.faz.netby Uta Rasche
Stuttgart A simple two-story block building in the industrial area of the Wangen district of Stuttgart aroused the curiosity of Baden-Wuerttemberg Constitutional Security. That is where the headquarters of the state association of the "Islamische Gemeinschaft Milli Goerues" (IGMG) is tucked away. On the ground floor a Turkish vegetable retailer offers his ware for sale. In the simple office spaces of the second story of the main building, Turkish-Islamic Baden-Wuerttemberg is governed like a conquered territory: on one map are many colored tacks which mark the locations in which the "Milli Goerues" have mosques. On the shelves, there is not a single book in the German language; in the cafeteria, in which there is a television with continuous reports in Turkish on the American military strikes against the Taliban, one has difficulty trying to order a drink in German.
In almost every state in Germany, the "Milli Goerues" ("Nationale Weltsicht") have a district association, with the headquarters situated in Cologne. 500 mosque associations in Germany and 214 in the Benelux countries, France, Scandanavia, Austria and Switzerland are claimed by the association - independent figures do not exist. German Constitutional Security has had this largest (by membership figures) of the extremist Islamic organizations under surveillance since its inception in 1984. Constitutional Security assumes that it is the European arm of the "Virtue Party," banned in Turkey this year, and also the successor organization to Necmettin Erbakan's "Welfare Party," which was also banned. The story of its predecessor organization, which is characterized by its many changes of name and its many offshoots of competing groups, goes back to the 1970s. The "Milli Goerues" represent themselves externally as being involved in the integration of the Muslims that live here and as representing the interests of immigrants. But they have been accused of having two faces in that it is claimed that their goal is to break off from mainstream society, in the judgment of Islam expert Thomas Lemmen, author of a Friedrich-Ebert Foundation study on Islamic organizations in Germany. He said "Milli Goerues" want as much influence on Turks living in Germany as possible, so that one day there may be established a divine Muslim state in which there would be no difference between secular law and religious law.
Bavarian Interior Minister Beckstein is concerned that the IGMG will found its own party in Germany, or that it intends to infiltrate existing parties in order to implement its political concepts. That is disputed by its chairman Mehmet Erbakan, a nephew of the former Turkish Minister President Necmettin Erbakan. At a meeting in the Stuttgart IGMG cafeteria, he was greeted with deference by the Turkish retirees who spend their day there. A crowd of staff members of the state association is waiting for him there. The eloquent 35 year old doctor, born in Cologne and working full time for the "Milli Goerues" since 1997, understands that the advertising campaign which he launched six months ago for German citizens has raised some suspicion. "A migrant party or a Turkish party in Germany would always be a small niche party, I can't image doing that," he said. At the same time he criticized all existing parties. He said they do not represent the interests of immigrants and they do not have any concept of integration.
Erbakan does not understand integration to include efforts by the immigrant to adjust the the language, legal system and cult of the host country - he calls that "assimilation," which he strongly rejects. One can certainly see, he says, where the assimilation of the Jews in Germany or the Muslims in Bosnia got them - genocide. His interpretation of "integration" is that first the German state would have to provide for the unimpeded expansion of Islam: for permission to carry out Islamic religious instruction in state schools, to finance education of Imams from tax monies, and to include as law into ground usage plans the construction of mosques.
At an April European congress of the IGMG in the Hague city hall this year, Erbakan revealed the background of his plan to motivate as many members as possible to get the papers from their host country that would give them voting rights: "The Europeans think that the Muslims only came here to make money, but Allah has another plan." He said that Muslims should "present a strong constituency in European countries which would permit them to have at their disposal a political force that was not to be underestimated." In Forchheim in May he revealed at a meeting of the 140 board members of the Bavarian IGMG association that the primary goal of 2001 would be to increase membership numbers. "If we are the majority of German citizens, then we'll have more to say in politics. My greatest dream is to have IGMG members on the floor of the Bundestag." The ambitious son of a German mother and of a Turkish engineer, who exports used construction equipment from Germany to Turkey, does not see a future for himself in a Turkish party, but in a German party in which he intends to promote "integration," as he understands it.
Current "Milli Goerues" chairman Yavuz Calik Karahan has not concealed the strategy to be used. Only with their own party would it be possible "to establish an Islamic culture," he said at a gathering for the Swabian IGMG members in June. He said they could make it into the Bundestag in five years. There are widely conflicting statements as to how many "Milli Goerues" members could be mobilized to this end. Erbakan himself says it's 210,000, the Essen Center for Turkish Studies four years ago reported over 160,000, but the Constitutional Security report gives the figure at 27,000 adherents and falling. Some members were discouraged by the banning of the "Virtue Party" in Turkey; also in Germany, socialized Turkish youths have taken a critical attitude toward the hierarchically managed organization, as Marburg religion social scientist Ursula Spuler-Stegemann observes.
How secure the European branch of the "Virtue Party" feels in Germany can be deduced from the unconcealed propaganda for an Islamic divine state in its publications. "We promise that we ... will fight for the victory of the Islamic revolution" and "outside of the system of the Koran no other system or regime will be accepted," are in the April issue of the IGMG aligned publication "Yeni Duenya" ("New World"), distributed in the Swabian state association.
In conversation Erbakan, disputes any concepts of overthrow and affirms his loyalty to Basic Law. He said no Muslim has reason to be against the German Constitution because it enables him to live better and freer than in Turkey according to the rules of the Koran. Erbakan is on guard, especially since Lower Saxony has reported this week that it will attempt to attain a ban on the "Milli Goerues." Other Islamic extremist organizations, such as the "Caliph State" of Metin Kaplan, convicted of incitement to murder, and the "Jihad" and "Hamas" organizations, are also on Lower Saxony Interior Minister Bartling's (SPD) list. He is working with his Bavarian colleague Beckstein (CSU) to hurriedly gather the evidence, which will be submitted at the national level, needed to ban the organization. As soon as the religious privilege has been deleted from the association law, the ban procedure may be initiated.
The question is up in the air of whether the "Islamische Gemeinschaft Milli Goerues," Erbakan wants the Turkish part of the name removed, could be banned. Despite the drastic rhetoric in the "Milli Gazette" in which "Islamic resistance movements" are cautioned against being accused of terrorism, it has not ever been proven that the "Milli Goerues" have instigated violence or have violated the Constitution. This might be easier with Kaplan's radical association, which split off from the "Milli Goerues" in 1984 and which today has about 1,100 members.
Erbakan's organization is accused of exerting great social pressure upon its members, particularly upon women. Women and children have their free time, their Koran instruction and house duties assigned so that they are as sheltered as possible from "cases of alien culture and immoral aspects of life" ("Milli Gazette"). Muslim girls not taking part in sports, maintains Erbakan, is their own free choice. Many use their religious foundation as a welcome excuse not to have to perform gymnastics with the others, he said. In Mosques, parents are called to escort children on school field trips to supervise the Muslim children. If the children did not go that might cause a scene, which Erbakan wants to avoid.
The IGMG representative never gets tired of expressing the wish for dialogue with non-Muslims. But when invited he does not show up, as reported by people including the Islam commissioner of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria.
Nordrhein-Westphalian Constitutional Security says it has proof that the IGMG and Scientology are cooperating. Apparently the "Milli Goerues" want to profit from the Scientologist understanding of business, and in return the IGMG will open up the Turkish market for Scientology. Bremen's Interior Agency suspects that the "Milli Goerues" have a connection with the misappropriation of investors' money in Turkish holding companies. Erbakan says that the "Jetpa" holding company provides the IGMG with yearly sales of from 400 to 450 million marks. "Focus" magazine reported that the IGMG supported the sale of weapons over the internet; that was disputed by Erbakan.
The "Milli Goerues" claims it is a religious community. Yet under this veil they develop commercial and mainly political operations that feed doubt as to their harmlessness.
Suspicion of Fraud
Businessman sees himself persecuted by bureaucrats
Long-term Feud with Justice
Stuttgart, Germany
February 13, 2001 http://www.suedwestpresse.de
Suedwest PresseCriticism and verification quickly skewered
The transport entrepreneur has savored more than 150 acquittals. Yet Heilbronn City Court convicted him; now the state court wants to hold the investor accountable for fraud in 7,792 cases.
Hans Georg Frank
Heilbronn - Gerhard Karl Hermann S. (40) feels as though he is being persecuted by bureaucrats. "Someone's trying to put me out of commission," says the burly businessman, who says he operates "the nation's leading logistics corporation." He controls at least ten companies in various locations and his leasing company owns 500 truck tractors and 1,200 semi-trailers. The business runs like clockwork and yearly sales are estimated at 200 million marks.
A 20 million mark logistics center was put up near Moeckmuehl. S. is beloved as a benefactor of athletes and school children. But he meets his enemies at the police station, in the Stuttgart executive presidium and in the Federal Supervisory office for Transport of Goods ["Bundesaufsichtsamt fuer Gueterverkehr"] (BAG) in Cologne.
As S. says it, in more than 150 law suits he has emerged from the courtroom victorious. Those have mostly had to do with permits, transit times, and he has also been accused of subsidy fraud. "There have been many claims, but in the end they were all empty talk," said S. triumphantly.
The trucking king deals with his presumed adversaries even less genteelly. Time and time again his name comes up in connection with blunt intimidation. One woman on staff at the Stuttgart executive presidium said he threatened her, "Anyone gets in my way, I'll destroy them." S. disputes that.
He concedes that there are probably Scientologists in Udo Andriof's vicinity, the president of the executive presidium, and that his staff use the methods of libel which are commonly associated with the pseudo-sect. "Sheer nonsense, we operate according to law and justice," said a spokesperson for the executive presidium.
Private advertising
The suspicion of Scientology also comes up in a "newspaper" promoted by S. The paper makes diligent use of the same selection of words as S. and serves to lampoon critics and inspectors who are not in favor.
The entrepreneur's methods are not easy to make out; not even the drivers of the sub-contractors always know who their employer is. The police inspectors say the papers are not in order 95 percent of the time. Even the experienced legal defender calls his client a "problematic case."
The web of companies and customers is so confused that the Heilbronn City Court needed seven days in court since December 12, 2000, to clarify an obvious trifle. A driver was caught without a transport permit. The fine of over 500 marks went to S., who filed an appeal and expects nothing less than an acquittal.
But the judge thinks that he, as the leasing agent, is responsible for his operators operating without a permit. At the request of the defender, the judge increased the fine to 600 marks, so the case can be reviewed by the superior state court.
The trial coming up in the Heilbronn State Court is not getting any simpler. S. is being accused of fraud in 7,792 cases; he is said to have done his drivers out of 1.35 million marks. Reading the 236 page indictment will probably take a week. In that matter S. was arrested before Christmas 1999, but let out on bail after two weeks.
A date for the trial has not yet been set because the criminal court is still dealing with an alleged Mafia gang. The legal defender of the alleged gang boss is also the entrepreneur's attorney.
Atomdorf millions land in Scientology
Stuttgart, Germany
July 8, 1999
Sindelfinger ZeitungSect expert Kleinmann says that there are enough indices for fraud by Neckarwestheimer Mayor Armbrust
Stuttgart - The Stuttgart consumer protection organization, ABI, is convinced that former Neckarwestheimer Mayor Horst Armbrust, convicted on breach of trust, is a victim of Scientology.
by Anton Notz
At least 23 million marks from the Atomdorf community chest has disappeared without a trace and is alleged to have "seeped into Scientology channels," said ABI Chairman of the Board and sect expert Kleinman on Wednesday. There is sufficient evidence of this in eye witness testimony which has been secured and bank accounts which have been confiscated by the state criminal investigative office. Armbrust himself, who spoke for the first time after having completed a four and a half year prison term, stated that he "was not firmly convinced, but had evidence given to him" by people who had admitted the connection to Scientology. Armbrust was sentenced in January 1996 to eight and a half years imprisonment for breach of trust and forgery of documents. At the time the Stuttgart State Court believed it was true that the 66 year old had lost 40 million marks of the community's money as a target of criminal speculation. After a number of losses in private business - according to the court - in 1993 he let himself be talked into an extremely risky deal by his financial adviser, Joerg Mehler. Both drove to Geneva, with 25 million marks from the community chest in a suitcase. There Armbrust, observed by notary public Pierre Natural, who is also President of the Swiss Notary Association, signed an alleged financial administration contract in the English language which was supposed to have brought Neckarwestheim 20 percent dividends annually.
In reality though, this document made Mehler the new owner of the community's millions and he is credited with having forwarded the amount on to the Newton Forest Company, which has its headquarters on the Isle of Man. For this deal Mehler, who has since been incarcerated, pocketed $570,000, Natural $540,000 and Armbrust received 470,000 marks "payment" on future "earnings." The Newton Forest manager disappeared with the remainder of the money. The money has never been recovered.
Sect expert Kleinmann accused Pierre Natural, who was an honorary notary in Switzerland, of being a man with connections to Scientology. Also several cover companies - Advantage Academy on Gibraltar, East West Corp. London and Recovery Investments -, which the court found to have accepted cash payments from the missing community chest, have connections with Scientology. "These brutal methods of separating people from their money bear the unmistakable signature of the finance mafia," said Kleinmann.
Similar accusations were already made two years ago. These, however, came to no effect. After having looked in Armbrust's legal folders, Kleinmann has strengthened his accusations. He says it is monstrous that Pierre Natural is running around free in Switzerland. He bases his findings that the notary is connected with Scientology on "indices." He sees Natural as bearing the burden of proof: "He can easily clear himself by saying where the money is."
Armbrust is said by Kleinmann to have gotten bogged down in the worldwide sect organization. The ex-mayor, who was let free early just a couple of weeks ago, sits nearby and does not know exactly what's going to happen. In retrospect he would not want to brush off the "very harsh sentence, but neither would he want to "excuse or make light of my improper behavior," said Armbrust. But at the time he had not been aware "that I was standing in the middle of an entire network of con men who cleverly took me in." The background of the story is being filled in like a mosaic through the ABI's research.
Former Village Mayor Victim of Scientology?
Stuttgart, Germany
July 8, 1999
Pforzheimer ZeitungHorst Ambrust, the Neckarwestheim mayor who was involved in a scandal, and Aktion Bildungsinformation lay the blame on Scientology for fraud.
Horst Armbrust is not an honorable man.
He knows that, and even his family has had to pay bitterly for the serious mistakes of its provider who was the uncrowned king of Neckarwestheim for 34 years before he was taken out of circulation for over four years by the 14th commercial crime chamber of the Stuttgart State Court for breach of trust and falsifying documents. But now, after 'thinking about it for a long time in custody," Armbrust has grown increasingly suspicious that he had been the victim of con men ("an orchestrated force cleverly deceived me") - and not Kreti and Pleti, but Scientology.
The man who was released two months ago on probation received help from the consumer protection organization "Aktion Bildungsinformation (ABI)" with its office in Stuttgart. Its chairman, Eberhard Kleinmann, is bringing out the big guns: he says there is "extensive evidence" that 23 of the total of 40 million missing marks ended up on "Scientology channels." The "finance mafia," said Kleinmann, pulled it off with the active cooperation of one of the primary addresses in the international notary world: Pierre Natural from Geneva, who notarized the transfer of two checks for over ten and fifteen million marks. The tax money from Neckarwestheim was transferred for the purpose of increasing capital to the Newton Forest Ltd. Group on the Isle of Man. From there any trace of it is lost. Natural took $540,000 as a fee and gave $572,000 to Armbrust's companion and "financial advisor," Joerg Mehler.
A piquant factor is that the president of the Swiss Notary Association, Pierre Natural, is known to a former member of Scientology: Oliver Schramm, who left a brilliant career for the finance sect, and who stated under oath and repeated at a press conference yesterday in Stuttgart that his former business manager, Thomas E. - who is known as a Scientologist according to documents published by the sect ("Impact" magazine) and donor lists - often mentioned Natural's name. Also a certain Lonnie Hawkins, a staff member of high responsibility at Newton Forrest, is also said to act as liaison to high-ranking Scientologists in the financial area of the organization which is active worldwide. Very often, said Schramm, he heard Hawkins' name mentioned on the "Freewind," the Scientology luxury liner in the Caribbean. Also a second witness, a Danish woman, is said to be ready to swear this in court. She has already reported on her painful experiences with the Hubbard disciples to the CDU faction in 1997. On the floating command headquarters the Scientologists gather money for their "war chest" - for purposes which include overwhelming critics like the ABI with lawsuits. And it was into this chest, alleges Kleinmann with probability bordering on certainty, that the remaining 23 million marks went. "We know that many cases exist in which large sums of money disappear and in which Scientologists have had a hand," wrote Kleinmann to State Justice Minister Ulrich Goll.
Kleinmann thinks it is "monstrous" that the notary Natural from Geneva can run around unbothered. He appealed to Armbrust's successor, Mario Duerr and the Heilbronn State Assemblyman Klaus Czernuska to do everything they can in order to recover the lost millions from the Swiss man: "The citizens of Neckarwestheim have a claim to it." For good reason, Armbrust is staying out of it and does not want to "meddle" in his successor's politics and has "consideration" for Mario Duerr's "special sensitivities."
Olaf Lorch
"Blame is diverted at the KSC"
Stuttgart, Germany
April 24, 1999
"Stuttgarter Nachrichten"Fuchs: Bitter ending of a passionate "marriage"
The blue letter is in his jacket pocket, but order must prevail. Klaus Fuchs is a correct type of guy. On Thursday, the business manager takes his leave of the team - and his hat. Involuntarily. The paths of Fuchs (contract until 2003) and the Karlsruhe SC will part at the end of the season. Until then the soccer second leaguer, guest of the Stuttgart Kickers on Sunday, is on leave.
"I'm playing the scapegoat here. Blame is being systematically diverted here," complained Fuchs. The accusations had finally stacked up against him. At the end were invectives, conspiracies and legal letters.
Point one: Fuchs is saddled with the responsibility of the disappointing Spaniard, Rafael Martin-Vazquez. "If anybody says that this responsibility was a solo act on my part, that is an outright lie. I was assigned to make him an offer," Fuchs defends himself.
Point two: Fuchs assured David Zitelli in writing that he would be able to transfer to France for 500,000 marks. In January Zitelli, who had cost 1.8 million marks, went to Strassburg. Trainer Rainer Ulrich knew nothing about it, "otherwise I would have never in my life sold another forward [player]."
The trust of the relationship was knocked askew. Between Ulrich, Captain Guido Buchwald, several board members and Fuchs reigned radio silence. At the end Ulrich was communicating with Fuchs through the bus driver. The team, and even Roland Schmider took a vow of silence - Fuchs had stood faithfully at the side of the president in the affair with the review board chairman, Wernfried Feix.
The avalanche rolled. On the official KSC homepage, the (alleged) dismissal of Fuchs appeared - an April Fool's joke, as it turned out. Rumors of Fuchs being associated with Scientology came up. Fuchs' attorney broadcast a denial. Now he is leaving. Fuchs, so it has been said, is in negotiations with the regional league at Waldhof Mannheim - as commercial business manager. stn.