The ASI Tribunal: In Limbo
What Did the Board Agree To?
As the days and weeks went by, the correspondence revealed an unanswered and nagging question:
What had the board decided to do? They obviously had decided to do something, but what that something
was remained a mystery. To his growing mailing list Gailon wrote on September 30:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| To: |
AUToday |
| Subject: |
Re: ASI Hearing Panel |
| Date: |
Sat, 30 Sep 2006 00:06:20 -0400 |
|
... Therefore I must agree with [the high-ranking church leader] and others that
ASI would represent a foundation for such a tribunal as the ASI organization
has a ready made constitution and bylaws to which 3ABN has agreed to
adhere to if they wish to maintain their ASI membership.
The 3ABN Board has agreed in principal to such a panel, but the terms set
by the 3ABN Board are as yet unknown. As soon as those are known,
I will be happy to advise.
...
Yours in the Blessed Hope,
Gailon Arthur Joy
AUReporter
|
On the next day he wrote to the high-level church official who had written him just three days before:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| To: |
****** |
| Subject: |
ASI Panel |
| Date: |
Sun, 01 Oct 2006 15:17:32 +0000 |
|
... I tend to agree with [the high-ranking church leader] that ASI is the correct
platform for this process ....
...
Does anyone know who the contacts are at ASI and who, if anyone
is coordinating or attempting to coordinate this process?
Also, does anyone know what 3ABN's terms were for participation?
Gailon Arthur Joy
|
Two days later came this reply. Answers definitely were not forthcoming:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
****** |
| To: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| Subject: |
RE: ASI Panel |
| Date: |
Tue, 03 Oct 2006 21:32:43 -0400 |
|
I am still trying to ascertain the information you need as requested in the
post below.
Perhaps by this time you have discovered who the contact persons are, and
what the selection
process for the ASI mediation committee is. I agree that the committee must
be selected almost like a jury, and that non-neutral persons should be
disqualified.
...
|
Four days later we have this email as well:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| To: |
****** |
| Subject: |
Re: Absolutely confidentially - FYEO |
| Date: |
Saturday, October 07, 2006 3:46 AM |
|
Thompson told me the board agreed to let ASI conduct a panel to
hear the issues, although he has not identified what issues and what
conditions have been applied.
It is clear that decision is not symbiotic.
Gailon Arthur Joy
|
Could ASI Be Impartial?
Obviously, Gailon felt fairly comfortable with the idea of ASI being able to impartially investigate the
various issues that had come to light. Others, though, did not share his optimism, and concerns kept rolling in
from various ones. Consider this insightful comment from one of the major players among the aggrieved:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
****** |
| To: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| Subject: |
Re: ASI Hearing Panel |
| Date: |
Sat, 30 Sep 2006 18:33:08 +0000 |
|
Gailon,
...
As you have stated yourself, ASI has a history of selected
enforcement of their bylaws in regard to their membership and has in
fact chosen to "overlook" any instances of non-compliance on the part
of 3ABN. Taking these factors alone into consideration, ASI cannot
be considered an unbiased venue. ... At best this is a travesty of
justice, considering previous behavior exhibited by one of the
principles, with the potential to become little more than a witch
hunt, easily agreed upon in order to facilitate the "flushing out" of
witnesses, leading to the distinct possibility of the compromising
of evidence. I fear that in zealousness to find a solution for an
agreeable venue that was acceptable to 3ABN, not all components of
this situation have been weighed judiciously.
...
|
It seems unreal to even consider such a possibility, that Danny Shelton
might use the ASI tribunal process to find out who had their doubts about him,
and then retaliate against them. But since some of the allegations against him are that
he has done things along this line in the past, in order for there to truly be
an impartial review of the allegations, such possibilities would have to be guarded against.
Clearly, Gailon wasn't as suspicious as those closer to Danny were,
as can be seen from his reply to the above:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| To: |
****** |
| Subject: |
Re: ASI Hearing Panel - FYEO |
| Date: |
Sun, 01 Oct 2006 08:37 |
|
Thank you for your perspective. I believe the e-mail
clearly delineates the basis for ASI having arisen. There
is no surprise and it was fielded appropriately to the 3ABN
board as delineated. The 3ABN board did pass the proposal.
Terms are not known and it is hardly cut in stone.
...
Gailon Arthur Joy
|
Investigation by Church Leaders? "No Way!" Says Danny
And then there was the claim that Danny had made it clear that he would not agree
to be investigated by a panel composed of church leaders, but would agree to a panel under the auspices of ASI.
Consider this email from a former, high-ranking 3ABNer, one that also refers to the touchy question of
just exactly how much money Danny Shelton made from the free distribution of Ten Commandments Twice Removed:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
****** |
| To: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| Subject: |
RE: MAP |
| Date: |
Tue, 19 Sep 2006 17:02:39 -0700 |
|
Hello Gailon,
Thank you for the update. ...
I think the idea of a mixed, neutral tribunal is a good one,
as any one in Linda's camp has completely written off the Three
Angels board as a fair and unbiased tribunal. While that is
perhaps not entirely fair, it is true that the board gives Danny
a tremendous amount of latitude in operation, and gives him the
benefit of almost every doubt. Thus, I imagine that either [Linda's daughter]
or Linda will only appear before a neutral, church related body,
perhaps that includes 3ABN board representation. The sticking
point, ironically, may well be Danny, who has told me that he
is unwilling to place his fate in a group made up of church leaders.
I have wondered about the numbers. When I spoke with Danny
about a month or so ago, he insisted that numbers were up by
a couple of million. But when I spoke with a board member he
indicated that the finances were not doing well, in part relating
to a tremendous amount of money 3ABN put into the "Ten Commandments
Twice Removed Book" which was distributed by the millions during
the spring. I am quite certain that Danny received royalties
on this, probably to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars,
although he is refusing to disclose the amount to his own board
members. This is a gross conflict of interest and also an improper
personal inurement that could cause the ministry to lose its
tax exempt status if it came to light. ...
In any event, Danny needs at least a leave of absence to have
these things sorted through and for him to re-orient himself.
He has been used by God, has had a good heart, but has, in my
opinion, become confused and misguided over the last couple of
years. It is questionable whether the Three Angels board, on
its own, can come to grips with these issues.
Let me know how things unfold,
Blessings,
******
|
Why? What difference would it make whether it was ASI or church leaders that made up the panel?
Only time would tell.
Contacting Ron Christman and Deb Young
At some point Gailon needed to contact the ASI secretary and president, and nudge the process along,
as well as address the concerns of the various participants that would need to appear before the upcoming
ASI tribunal. Accordingly, he wrote them on October 3:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| To: |
Ron Christman |
| CC: |
Deb Young |
| Subject: |
3ABN Panel by ASI |
| Date: |
Tue, 03 Oct 2006 22:22:22 +0000 |
|
Dr. Walter Thompson has informed me that ASI has agreed to
be the appropriate platform upon which to hear allegations regarding
3ABN. While I agree that in theory ASI is the appropriate platform
and clearly has some jurisdiction here, and by voluntary assent
would have full jurisdiction to hear the allegations and make
appropriate findings, I also recognize there are some clear and
serious conflicts that need to be clarified.
Below is representative of several responses to the ASI panel
concept. To make this option more palatable, we need to know
what terms and conditions ASI is considering to invoke such a
panel, including but not limited to, the issues under consideration,
the process for selecting a panel, the powers of the panel, the
rules of evidence for such a panel, in what form the findings
will be presented, to whom will they be presented, and what enforcement,
if any, ASI expects to oversee?
I believe we are gaining ground with the concept, but cannot
go forward promoting this process until we have some clear and
convincing answers that will demonstrate that the panel process
will be an even playing field and the panel will not be manipulated
or "politicized" prior to, during or after the hearing; will
be selected in a process that is inclusive of the "victims" participation;
that panel members have been appropriately questioned as to prejudice
or perception regarding the issues to be addressed.
I ask that you give this VERY prayerful consideration and I
will be happy to be available for discussion of the issues.
The Church of God's Remnant awaits your careful and prayerful
response as you take upon yourself this momentous and perhaps
unprecedented process.
Gailon Arthur Joy ...
|
There was no reply. So Gailon sent out a second copy of the
above, with the subject line, "3ABN Panel by ASI - 2nd notice." This time there was a response,
from ASI president Deb Young, and her reply contradicted the information Gailon had gotten
from Walt Thompson:
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
Deb Young |
| To: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| CC: |
Ron Christman, Walt Thompson |
| Subject: |
Re: 3ABN Panel by ASI - 2nd notice |
| Date: |
Thu, 05 Oct 2006 22:27:48 +0000 |
|
Dear Brother Joy,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and impressions so candidly.
...
Second, and at this juncture most important, ASI has not
decided it would play any particular role in this matter. That
is not to be misinterpreted as having no concern about the situation.
ASI believes in the 3ABN ministry, its purpose and outreach,
and we are prayerful that further actions will bring a conciliatory
outcome. That being said, you should know that we would only
be involved in a neutral environment, having addressed to our
satisfaction the same terms you expressed - issues to be investigated,
consent and availability of all parties to participate, credibility
and objectivity of "panelists," expectations for actions to
conclusions, etc. We would expect that any group/process would
require these criteria be met. Further, we recognize that the
integrity of any process is dependent upon several factors that
assure fairness and equity. It should be the goal to ascertain
these are present before moving forward in any level of participation.
...
Sincerely,
Debbie Young
|
So when would ASI make up their mind? The weeks dragged on.
That Elusive October 1st Board Meeting
Meanwhile, attention had been given for an entire month or so to the 3ABN board meeting that was scheduled to
be held on October 1, right after the September 3ABN camp meeting. The date of that board meeting
raises some questions as to why Harold Lance's January 24, unilateral statement says that the date of the board's
request to ASI was September 24. Did they not discuss the matter at all at their regular board meeting?
What happened?
What follow are four emails from September 7 through October 6 that all refer to the
October 1 3ABN board meeting.
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| To: |
Linda Shelton |
| Subject: |
Re: For Your Eyes ONLY |
| Date: |
Thu, 07 Sep 2006 14:20:13 +0000 |
|
...
If the board acts responsibly then I believe 3ABN can
be preserved. ... As I said, I am
sure it will be in the hands of the board and I suspect
they will act decisively on October 1, 2006.
The problem is that there are just too many leaks and
too many people who sense that the King is wounded
and are finding some pretty innovative ways to file a
host of complaints. Frankly, management has unleashed
the fury of so many people by their vicious actions and
by their own failures to take corrective action when
legitimate complaints are raised, it will now be impossible
to keep the genie in the bottle. The board will have to act!!!
We have to make it a matter of prayer and earnest effort
to pursuade the board to act decively and correctly, and
let the Father, Son and Holy Ghost to act upon the hearts
of all to work in the best interest of the 3 Angels Messages.
After all, that is the purpose and it should be preserved
to fulfill it's purpose.
...
Gailon A Joy
|
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| To: |
****** |
| Subject: |
Re: ****** and 3abn (Westphal) |
| Date: |
Fri, 8 Sep 2006 12:39 AM |
|
Hi, ******:
Strangest thing happened the other day, we were asked to
investigate a complaint from 3ABN Trust Services.
...
...
Seems as though with every rock we turn we find yet another
mess. Serious problems here and we stand close to being able
to lose access to this media entity if we do not move carefully.
... trying to meet a deadline
as the board next meets October 1, 2006. A lot of "palace intrique"
mixed in ....
Thanks Again, Gailon
|
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
Linda Shelton |
| To: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| Subject: |
Re: 3ABN Administraton |
| Date: |
Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:18:10 +0000 |
|
Hi Gailon,
...
I know you are busy getting ready for the October 1 thing, but did you have
a chance to call the Illinois AG yet? ...
...
LS
|
|
-------- Original Message --------
| From: |
****** |
| To: |
G. Arthur Joy |
| Subject: |
Re: Absolutely confidentially - FYEO |
| Date: |
Fri, 6 Oct 2006 21:26:17 -0700 |
|
...
What came of the board meeting at 3abn not many days ago?
Do you know?
|
ASI would finally contact someone on November 12, what the board had decided would finally be revealed
on December 3, and the date of their vote would finally be revealed on January 24. And yet Harold Lance has
the audacity to blame the breakdown on a lack of communication on the part of Gailon's team in his
January 24, unilateral statement.
|
