Their armed security was known as the Imperial Marines. Dederich called it an insight producing experience. And there was no way that its leader was going to share any of that with the taxman. "It was no secret that Charles Dederich wanted to at least hurt Paul Morantz if not kill him. As a rule, Synanon wasn't a violent place while my dad was there, but over time, Dederich grew crueler and more deranged. The main character discusses a drug rehabilitation cult "The Church of Niebor," which is based on Synanon.[46]. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. We will make the rules. He would never bond with kids again, including his own until they became adults. Yes! Local authorities refused to investigate after the Gran Jury report issued and this caught the attention of Dave Mitchell who ran a small weekly, The Point Reyes Light. Mitchell found the report rejection was led by Sheriff Lou Montanos who turned out to have been nominated for Sherriff with Synanon help and who had given gun permits to Dederich and second in command Dan Garrett. (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. Everyone was to cop-out (confess to past sins). We will make the rules. They played the game in which anyone was allowed to say anything, true or not, to someone to cause an effect. Synanon organized groups called the "Imperial Marines" and the "National Guard," and called for "Holy War" against its enemies. [17][18], The film director George Lucas needed a large group of people with shaved heads for the filming of his movie THX 1138 and hired some of his extras from Synanon. Eventually, on September 21, 2008 the Marines tried to murder ex-member Phil Ritter, who was trying to get his child out and had gone to the authorities complaining of forced vasectomies in Synanon, by clubbing him over the head (Berkely Gazette September 1978; Mitchell, the Light on Synanon). Men were given forced vasectomies, and a few pregnant women were forced to have abortions. One, Richard Marino, said they were handcuffed and beaten, and their heads were shaved. As the alcoholics had not wanted change, neither did they. Disoriented by lack of sleep, each was moved to the point of intense disillusionment. Remarkably, the authorities refused to intercede. This included taking vengeance against former Synanon members. The result was implantation of a common bond and sense of ideals, all identified with Synanon. [23], Beginning in 1964,[24] the legal authorities began to investigate Synanon's practices. I really do want an ear in a glass of alcohol on my desk.[3]. : todayilearned According to court records, the cult formed a militant branch, known as the "Imperial Marines," to inflict violence against opponents of the organization. "He was beaten, he was hit in the head and then socked in the stomach.". Synanon struggled to survive without its leader but with a severely tarnished reputation. 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. The squares were pushed to confess their prior loneliness and despair. Ultimately, it purchased an arsenal of high-powered weapons, developed its own security force and in an isolated concealed valley across its airfield called Depot Flats, it set up camp to train the Imperial Marines. [10][11] Now in a ballroom the Trippers were surrounded by hundreds of cheering, clapping Synanites. Synanons goal, Dederich said, was to lead the world into the 21st Century and anything less than changing the world is Mickey Mouse. (Morantz archives on Synanon, Gerstel, Paradise Inc.). (Dederich, Childbirth Unmasked.) [21] After Synanon's transition into an alternate society in 1968, this program changed to a "lifetime rehabilitation" program, with the premise that drug addicts would never truly be well enough to return to society. He received an. [citation needed]. Inside were Synanon members and Imperial Marines Joe Musico and Lance Kenton, and they were held on suspicion of involvement in the rattlesnake attack. He married, but drinking ended it. Paul Morantz, an American attorney and investigative journalist has written substantially about the cult - as he delves into brainwashing cases for victims. The name was chosen when a member slurred the words Symposium and Seminar. One of its early cardinal rules was no violence or threat of same. Imperial Marines were shock troopers that primarily served on Imperial-class Star Destroyers as defence provided by the Stormtrooper Corps. Members were to confess in games and no secrets were allowed. Some laughed, others howled and sobbed. Beatings of Synanon's opponents and its ex-members, "splittees", occurred across California. Most of his remaining time he was segregated in Synanon, as the foundation tried to revert back to early images and goals. 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 . Marino said: "I thought they were going to kill us.". Social scientists flocked to see for themselves, while Hollywood came out with the film Synanon in 1965, starring Edmond O'Brien as Charles and Eartha Kitt as Betty. Dederich designed an efficient program of individual emotional breakdowns followed by a mass group euphoria all designed to re-educate individuals into the Synanon II philosophy and lifestyle. "The Social Development of the Synanon Cult". Newcomers were first interviewed by Synanon leadership to gain entrance into the community. The game took on each unbrokens dirty rotten story with great brutality. Was it a wonderful place to be? (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). In response to these accusations, Dederich declared in l974 that Synanon was a tax exempt religious organization, the Church of Synanon. A memo declaring it a religion asked a question that didnt need to be answered: Who will be God? (Gerstel, Paradise Inc.; Morantz vs. Synanon, IRS vs. Synanon) Dederich declared no more children (1976) as they take time away from Synanon goals. Synanon is referred to in Bob Dylan's song "Lenny Bruce", from his album Shot of Love (Bruce "never made it to Synanon"). A drunken Dederich was arrested on December 2 in Lake Havesu. Yes, it saved my life and I do not regret being there. Let your ego golet things happen to you. A big shot would advise the Trippers they were not really chosen as an honor, but each was really selected because each was a resister, thinking he or she knew better the direction Synanon should go, part of the dummies that hold Synanon back. Maybe, Dederich said, one day we will just put dingbats like you against the wall and wash them off and bring them back into the human race. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). The cops uncover a group of blind followers willing to do anything at their leader's urging, even murder. Paul Robert Morantz (born August 16, 1945) is an American attorney and investigative journalist. It was also there that a luxurious complex known as the Homeplace was being constructed. Ofshe, Richard. Members were brainwashed, tortured mentally and barred from leaving the communityescaped members were subject to beatings. [23] Morantz had successfully brought suit on behalf of people who were being held against their will by Synanon. (Marin Grand Jury Report on Synanon l978). Synanon members were instructed in writing to physically harm others, take responsibility for it and never reveal Synanons involvement. As a condition of probation, he was disallowed from taking part in managing Synanon. Synanon enterprises would run gas stations, pottery making, apartment buildings and other income businesses without having to pay workers or taxes. It was just weeks after Morantz had won a $300,000 judgment against Synanon, a shady drug rehab facility that opened in Santa Monica in 1958. It will produce a new breed of human beings with greatly expanded potentials. [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. Both were members of Synanon's 'Imperial Marines,' a security group within the drug and alcohol rehabilition organization. IMPERIAL MARINES, AND DOPE FIENDS by George Pendle, Cabinet Magazine, Winter 2012-2013 . The 1950s were a time when incarceration was considered the only cure for drug addiction. Everyone bonded. AN ULTRA-violent cult brainwashed addicts into shaving their heads, and enforced mass sterilizations in "Gestapo-like" demands. It would grow to become a well-funded utopian society throughout the late '60s and early '70s, before declaring itself a religion in 1974. . Fluid leaked into his spine causing a near fatal case of spinal meningitis. Dederich declared when he moved to The Home Place in Badger he did not want ex dope fiends around him (Gerstel, Paradise Inc.). It can also make dangerous criminals out of good people, also subject to it. Dederich was familiar with Waldens Pond and the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and B. F. Skinner. 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. But Synanon still remains the Granddaddy of all drug rehabs, the failure that launched an industry, its failure teaching us more than whatever its success had (Richard Ofshe, The Failure that spurned an Industry). She has not been seen or heard from since. It was read on the Synanon wire while Dederich would bellow when will one of you have the guts to go to LA and do something about him, break his knees. Read More. California donated a block long building in San Francisco. (People vs. Dederich, Synanon memos on incident). Julie Moncharsh recalled: "One boy, who was mentally retarded, was physically beaten because he did not do the 20 push-ups he was assigned. [14], During its first decade, Synanon members entered into a 12-year program in three stages aimed at preparing members to reenter greater society. (Mitchell, Light on Synanon. Morantz's website says that babies were taken from their parents and raised in the so-called hatchery., Moms who wanted to spend time with their own kids were callously dubbed head suckers.. Paul Morantz got the court order giving Ms. White custody, but Synanon refused to turn them over. Dederich also created an armed wing within Synanon called the Imperial Marines, and ordered those within the unit to prevent any of the residents from leaving. Mr. Dederich even kept an elite squad of enforcers that he called the Imperial Marines. During a bout of paranoia where he would not leave his room, he read Emersons Self Reliance and using it as a bible he quit his job to devout full time to cleaning up other Alcoholics. Two other Synanon residents, Joe Musico and Lance Kenton (son of the musician Stan Kenton) were also arrested and pleaded "no contest" to charges of assault and conspiracy to commit murder. In 1974 Synanon declared itself a religion and centered on middle-class searching for utopia rather than addict curing. Synanon is a word of his own invention integrating togetherness (syn) with the unknown (anon). The group attracted thousands of drug addicts and eventually accepted juvenile delinquents who were ordered by the courts to receive Synanon's services - for a fee of course. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). Some rolled up on the floor in fetal positions. Remain forever and they could build a Utopian world designed by Dederich. Synanon A Los Angeles lawyer is attacked by a poisonous rattlesnake leading police to a bizarre cult veiled as a drug and alcohol rehab facility. Morantz did and the bill was defeated by one vote. 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. They also beat a neighboring rancher, Gamboninni, who was helping children run away from Synanon and return to their parents (Light on Synanon; Dave Gerstel, Paradise Inc.; Marin County crime report on Gambinini beating, Synanon memos describing incident. In l977 when Dederichs wife Betty died he married a volunteer to be his wife and decided to save others from pain of death or divorce by ordering all married couples to break up every 3 years and take new partners selected by Synanon (love matches). When they asked for friends they were hugged in mass. 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. 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 . Morantz was bitten and hospitalized for 11 days. Synanon sought religious status in 1974, with Diedrich as its leader. The below Synanon 1, II and III are Synanons own designation of its history (Deposition of Charles Dederich; People vs. Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon, Morantz Synanon archives), Dederich was born in Ohio in 1913. Morantz said: I had my first case in court involving them in June 1977. On June 13, 1977 it was decided that the Imperial Marines would help teach doctors martial arts. You will learn more about yourself, your fellow man, the world, the nature of reality in one weekend than you would in four years. He is known for taking legal cases alleging brainwashing by cults, self-help groups and for sexual misconduct by psychotherapists. Dederich refused all suggestions. Vile Dederich declared that, "having an abortion is like squeezing a boil, nothing more.". (Robert Jay Lifton, Coercive Persuasion, the Psychology of Totalism). The name was chosen when a member slurred the words "Symposium" and "Seminar." One of its early cardinal rules was "no violence" or threat of same. The Point Reyes Light, a small-circulation weekly newspaper in Marin County, would later receive the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their covering Synanon at a time when other news agencies avoided reporting. They are both true. Ron Eidson, after a road skirmish, and refusing Dr. Robsons demand for apology, was pistol whipped and hospitalized while shotguns were held on his watching family. Synanons purchase of over $200,000 dollars of weapons from a single gun store also brought media attention. It is currently active in Germany. (Tony Lang, Synanon, Morantz archives on Synanon). (Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon, Columbia Pictures: Synanon). The original name was The Tender Loving Care Club. (Robson letters, crime reports, Synanon memos on each event, Synanon Holy War file, Depostions of ex-Synanon member, Morantz vs. Synanon; IRS vs. Synanon). [43], Straight Life: The Story of Art Pepper includes several chapters (21 - 23) about living at Synanon from 1969 - 1971.[44]. It is also referred to in the song "Opening Doors" from Stephen Sondheim's musical Merrily We Roll Along, which mentions it as a hypothetical song title in a satirical revue of the 1960s. Professionals, even those without drug addictions, were invited to join Synanon. (Dave Mitchell, Light on Synanon; Dave Gerstel, Paradise Inc.; Marin County crime report on Cardineau beating.). Men were given forced vasectomies, and a few pregnant women were forced to have abortions. Yes. The concept was based on law that even charities are taxed if they commit acts against public policy. (IRS v. Synanon; Morantz vs. Synanon; Winn vs. Synanon; Renfroe vs. Golden State). Though local newspapers and broadcast media covered the case, they were largely silenced by lawsuits from Synanon lawyers charging libel. Children who had been assigned to Synanon began running away, and an "underground railroad" had been created in the area that sought to help them return to their parents. Recovering alcoholic Charles 'Chuck' Dederich founded Synanon in 1958 to provide substance abuse reform to drug users as well as alcoholics in Santa Monica, California. (People vs. Dederich; Arrest report on Charles Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon). He was found passed out on a kitchen floor and was told, Fatso, if you do not go to Alcoholic Anonymous you will die. (Dr. Dan Casriel, So Fair a House, Yablonski, The Tunnel Back: Guy Endore, Synanon; Charles Dederich tapes on history of Synanon.). (Morantz archives on Synanon, People vs Dederich, IRS vs. Synanon). Several of the famous jazz musicians credited with cure returned to drugs. (Berkeley Gazette l978, Mitchell, Light on Synanon). Beginning in the mid-1970s, women in Synanon were required to shave their heads, and married couples were made to break up and take new partners. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Crying, Trippers embraced, feeling euphoria and transcending love. The school attracted lawyers, screenwriters, and business executives, all wanting to educate their children in a progressive environment. Synanon expanded an old Trans-Pacific Marconi RCA radio station in Tomales Bay now Marconi Conference Center State Historical Park. he rattlesnake lashed out too quickly for Morantz to react, and its fangs sank into his wrist. Carom shots now involved public beatings and getting enemies on missions that went coast to coast. He aimed to ensnare patients to remain in Synanon forever, and create a utopian society of his own design. (Deposition of Paul Morantz, Morantz vs. Synanon; People vs. Dederich; IRS vs. Synanon. Morantz spent six days in a hospital, news of which made national headlines. It was known for communal living, practices such as group "truth-telling" sessions they called "The Game," requiring married couples to split and take new partners and female members to shave their heads. Much of the violence by Synanon had been carried out by a group within Synanon called the "Imperial Marines". They survived by begging stale food from catering trucks, hookers doing tricks and donations. Purchase of over $ 200,000 dollars of weapons from a single gun store also brought media attention gas,... Again, including his own invention integrating togetherness ( syn ) with taxman. 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