SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The Worldwide Church of God asked the California Supreme Court Thursday for an immediate stay of financial receivership proceedings until the US. Supreme Court acts on its request for a review of the matter.
The state tribunal on March 22 denied a request to overturn Los Angeles Superior Court orders on Jan. 19 appointing a receiver to manage the church's finances and on March 12 reimposing receivership without notice, hearing or evidence.
The Pasadena-based church said it is going to the U.S. Supreme Court "to protect and establish First Amendment rights violated by the Jan. 19 and March 12 orders."
The church also claimed the lawsuit and receivership was continuing financial injury to the church in excess of $5 million a year.
The Attorney General's office, acting on behalf of complaints that funds were allegedly being siphoned from the church, filed suit Jan. 2 asking for an accounting from church officials, replacement of directors, appointment of a receiver and an injunction against individual defendants.
The church said the first receiver asked for fees and costs of $235,000 "every penny of which was incurred for 'services' inflicted on the church against its will and to its injury."
These "services," it alleged, included storming the premises Jan. 3, confiscating and removing thousands of documents without inventory and destroying the church. previously excellent financial standing.
(Editor's Note: The above AP news release appeared in the Pasadena Star-News on Friday, April 13.)
Church asks stay of receivership pending review
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