Barbara Anderson’s Dateline Diary

Barbara is truly a heroic individual to those of us who feel strongly about the abuses of Watchtower and seeing them brought to the light. Twenty years ago today, Barbara appeared on Dateline and launched the exposé uncovering the hidden documents the Watchtower was hiding regarding child sexual abuse. In doing so, Barbara sacrificed much – including the relationship with her only son. Below, is a never-before-published diary spanning the years from 2001-2022, when she aired her story on dateline. We want to thank Barbara for her legendary contributions in research and her continued focus on truth, justice, and taking a stand for what is right.

FROM JANUARY 5, 2001 LEADING UP TO DATELINE AIRING MAY 28, 2002

January 2001 Bill Bowen and I decided that we wanted news coverage about the Watchtower’s cover-up of child sexual abuse. We agreed that I would not go public right away.

1-5-01 Friday. Bowen began to tell his story first to a Paducah, KY, newspaper editor. The paper carried his accusations that JWs leaders were covering up child sexual abuse. He appeared on local TV twice and never mentioned my name. After this, former JW Richard Rawe in Washington State, contacted the Louisville, KY, Courier Journal explaining to their Religion Editor, Peter Smith, JWs problems with child sexual abuse pointing to Bowen’s story in Paducah, KY. Smith expressed interest in doing an article.

1-6-01 Saturday. Spoke to “Pinky” and Barbara Pandelo of NJ about their accusations that Watchtower covered up their child’s sexual abuse. They were interested in going public. (I’m losing my voice.)

1-7-01 Sunday. No voice at all.

1-8-01 Monday. Alan Maraynes, senior producer at Dateline called me. He heard about the Bowen story and phoned Bowen who told him about me. I emailed him my two-page story that I wrote back last November and sent to Jim Whitney to give to attorney.

1-10-01 Alan Maraynes called again to say they made decision to go with a story and he turned my story over to Rich Greenberg.

1-12-01 I spoke to Rich Greenberg about exclusive. We will talk more next Tuesday. He encouraged us not to talk to many reporters after story breaks because it will lessen the impact.

1-13-01 Barb. Pandelo, who was talking to Peter Smith, the reporter for Louisville Courier Journal, told Richard Rawe that Smith said he was threatened by WT attorneys who said they would take newspaper.

1-14-01 Alan F and I worked on an email explaining WT and methods which we sent to Pete Smith. I rec’d an email from Barb. Pandelo explaining Pete Smith’s find of statement in deposition of PO in the Pandelo case that GB gave instructions. She said Pete angry at WT treatment of flock and also mentioned an implied threat to Pete that Watchtower would take away paper.

1-15-01 Alan F. called and said he heard from Pete who denied the threat.

1-16-01 Wednesday. I heard from Bill Bowen who is in Florida at Baker’s home. He also talked to Peter and Peter denied the threat. Bill wondered if newspaper was backing away from the story. Kim of AP talked to Pat Garza for ½ hour and will call her back. Pat faxed her 3 pages of material. Bill sent Kim everything he gets as well as Peter. Bill suspects four emails asking for WT BOE letters are from WT people who are saying they are xjws. Bill told me BOE letters w/letterhead are on WT Observer so why don’t they look there. Kent announced such on H20 that’s why Bill thinks requests are bogus.

I emailed our small “working group” and asked them to stop arguing with “Harold” and “Jehmimeh” on the discussion board H20, and asked them to keep silent about what we were doing.

12:20 PM Rich Greenberg called. He’s making reservations for airline trip to NY next Monday morning, Jan. 22, 2001 for me and Bill.

1-18-01 Rec’d the itinerary from Rich G. for trip to NY. Pat Garza sent her material to me today by UPS. Talked to Pinky tonight. He’s waiting for Pete Smith to get back w/him with date of publication of Courier Journal article.

1-19 to 21-01: I worked on abuse material getting it ready to take to Rich Greenberg in NY.

1-22-01 Left 7:45 A.M for Nashville Airport (Joe took me) and arrived at 9:15 A.M. Exchanged E ticket for pass—Bill was late. Went back to desk to see if Bill checked in ahead of us as it was 9:30 and he was to arrive at 9 A.M. As I was walking away from the desk, I heard my name called. It was Celeste and Haskell Gray from Bethel who returned on same plane as us to NY (Continental). It snowed on Sunday in NY so airport was closed and that’s why they were going back to Bethel on Monday. I went to greet Bill when I saw him entering the airport and told him about Bethelites. I introduced Bill as Harvey (his middle name), then went on to talk to Bill ignoring Grays. We walked to boarding area and I kissed Joe goodbye and boarded plane with Bill. Gray’s sat across from us. Plane ½ empty so Harvey told them they could move elsewhere because they were cramped in three seats with three people. They moved and we talked and read material rest of the way. We walked with Grays ½ way out of airport and I told them I was a writer and in the City on business. They said Byron Rivers was there to pick them up. They asked questions about my writing, whether it was fiction or nonfiction. I said writing a book; I was a free-lancer and doing non-fiction. They invited us three times to lunch at Bethel. We went to restrooms but before, I hugged and kissed Grays goodbye. Bill and I arrived at NBC at 2:30 for 3 PM appointment with Rich. Greenberg.

First, Bill outlined how the WT organization is laid out; also discussed what a typical Witness week was like. Tried to explain the lingo, too. Rich brought out some papers and we talked for three hours without letup. Then we three went to Hotel Sheridan of NY where Rich signed us in. Bill called home; so did I. Afterward, Bill told me about the WT Video Dept. coming to Missouri to film his parents condemn his actions. His mom said there was still time to stop this stuff otherwise WT will make trouble for him. She didn’t know he was calling from NYC. Bill was kind of like in shock! He called Duane Magnani and Rich Greenberg. Both shocked at what WT was doing. All wondered what was WT’s purpose for the video? I called Joe back and warned him about WT and what they will do to us and Lance when I go public. Bill and I went to Rosi O’Grady’s across the street from the hotel and ate dinner, came back and went to our rooms. I could hardly sleep for worrying.

1-23-07 We ate breakfast in the hotel’s café and arrived at NBC at 10 A.M. We immediately began to explain to Rich the pedophile problems. Bill spent almost the rest of the morning explaining his pedophile case to Rich; Rich played Devil’s advocate often. He’d say over and over, “What’s wrong with that. Everybody does it. All organizations have secrets,” and we’d try to explain over and over.

We went to a deli for lunch and I had pastrami and loved it. Instead of Bill doing most of the talking to Rich, I did, for the entire afternoon. Bill wouldn’t leave tapes so he agreed to stay another night. Dateline was featuring a set of twins sold twice through the net and they had new evidence so dub machine was not available to copy the tapes. Rich planned to bring in his machine the next day which dubbed micro cassettes. Bill said he would go to Newark airport with me to meet Pandelos and they would bring him back to the City. We had a difficult time getting a cab, but finally a private service Lincoln Town Car picked us up and delivered us to Newark in ½ hour during rush hour traffic. Amazing! Pandelos arrived at 6:45 and we hugged and talked and talked. Went to a little restaurant in the airport where I had a bowl of soup and read Pandelo’s daughters court document. It was awful. I almost missed my flight and had to race for the plane. I was the last one into the bus-shuttle and we left immediately on a half full 50 seat plane. It was a beautiful flight on a Continental express plane. I slept almost all of the way from pure exhaustion. The flight was ½ hour early and Joe was there waiting for me when I arrived. Home by 11 P.M. and in bed by 12.

1-24-01 Talked to Ron R. who e-mailed me a court case regarding a priest vs. Catholic Church. Richard Rawe, Richard Greenberg, Alan F called. Richard Rawe told me about his association with Richard Osling, AP Religion Editor and Alan Marynes who was at 60 Minutes twenty-years-ago. Later, when I spoke to Bill Bowen he was in his car after landing in Nashville and heading for home. I also spoke to Sheila Bowen and Pat Garza.

1-25-01 Spoke to Pat Garza again who had a long session with her therapist. Also talked to Rawe again. I edited Bill’s letter to elders. Wonderful post on H20 from Seeker 4 about numerous reporters who have dug up horrible court cases about WT and child abuse. Also, I worked some more on Bill’s letter to local elders.

1-26-01 Bill called and said Rich Greenberg called Pandelos and is sending a camera crew to their home next week. He said the story will air in about four weeks. I emailed Rich @ NBC information from Mary M’s email about child abuse case in Long Beach, WA. I also sent Rich email with stats about average of one victim/pedophile in each congregation would tally up to 11,000. See letter in text file.

1-27-01 Bill said he spoke with someone named Ravyn who lives in Manchester, TN. He wants me to call her.

1-28-01 Spent day in Nashville with Joe.

1-29-01 Sent Rich newspaper scans about WT requiring Witnesses to turn in JWs if they take a transfusion or have an abortion. Yet, elders will not turn in pedophiles to police.

1-30-01 Richard Greenberg talked to Dan B. about turning in Murderer. Wants me to influence Dan. I asked Bill to call Dan. Ravyn talked to Bill for two hours. He vouched for her credibility.

1-31-01

1.) Talked to Bill. Dateline officials ok’d show. Will film in three weeks.

Also, he said, Sunday, Feb. 4^th, the Louisville Courier Journal will publish article about Pandelos and Bill.

2.) Spoke to Jenna in Wisconsin. She will try to get information if perp is still a servant.

3.) Talked to Alan F. He will do research in WT literature where it states that elders are not clergy.

4.) Had lunch with Joe at Hardy’s.

5.) Talked to Joe about Janna.

6.) Lance called. He was very friendly. He said they will be here on Feb. 9^th for 3 days.

7.) I spoke to Joe about our telling Lance and Wendy about the mess of molestation and the Dateline program.

8.) I told Alan that it was on the news where someone was trying to pass Federal legislation for a Uniform Law regarding Statue of Limitations, etc.

2-1-01

1.) Talked to Barbara Pandelo. We finally discussed case. It’s about MPD/DID and I told her that’s what I was involved with at Bethel. I said if WT accepted MPD and repressed memories, they would have to acknowledge that their men raped the gals when they were little girls. MAM said WT org. run by pedophiles. I need letter.

2.) Talked to Rich Greenberg who told me he has Pandelo’s tapes and was at their house for three hours on 1/31. He wondered if there were any tapes where WT states their position on problem. I said no.

3.) Spoke to Rawe. He talked to Richard Osling of AP who told him his article will come out as soon as Louisville’s article released. Rawe told me that Osling said AP pays for information.

4.) I came up with more information on Federal laws and suggested he needs to feature needed change to California law on Eccl. Privilege and said that state can interfere in church matter if it’s about child molestation. I talked to Pat Garza about this. She will research organization, Mothers Against Molesters.

2-2-01 The magazine, Christianity Today, came out. The March 5^th, 2001 issue has in it an article against WT policy.

2-3-01 Bill called everybody he knew in Atlanta, GA, to verify Ravyn’s story about Sydlik. No luck. I worked on analysis of Body of Elder letter for Rich Greenberg.

2-4-01

1.) Courier Journal came out. Barb. Pandelo sent me her letter that she sent GB on November 16, 1993 by way of Jim P.

2.) Rawe called 3 times. He’s going to call all Gannet papers tomorrow asking them to carry Courier story. Bill went everywhere in W. Kentucky and couldn’t find newspapers for sale. Finally a newspaper carrier sold him 15 copies. Joe wants a copy. Bill told Rich G. that he wants more guarantee that Dateline is going to show the program. He got Richard G. so worried, that Rich called me at the end of the day asking me to reassure Bill. I told him I felt the same as Bill. We want definite! I asked if he would run info on murder policy even if he didn’t have name of murderer. He wouldn’t say. I’ll keep pushing. This is about policy?

2-5-01 I worked on Dateline material for Rich to draw questions from. Worked on this material until Feb. 10^th. Bruce Baker sent me an email about request for 5 papers and none to be had.

2-7-01 Correspondence with “Friend” and Bill. He’s an important insider at Bethel who was posting on JWN.

2-8-01 Correspondence with Friend and Bill. Kim Hefler of AP in KY called Bill and said article about him was coming out soon.

2-9-01 Bill said Paducah news called and said they saw AP article on their news network ready for publication on Sunday. Tonight Channel 6 in Paducah played the WT video. In it the Witnesses said there were no molesters. Then the newsman read five emails from victims. Newsman announced Dateline will do a show on the topic.

2-10-02 Talked to Bill, Richard, Alan F.

2-11-01

1.) AP article came out Sunday. One in Colorado and in Kentucky that I know of. Talked to Bruce Baker for 2 hours. He’s from Salem, Oregon. We talked about Russells and also abuse, MPD, cults, etc.

2.) Talked to Bill, Richard and Pat Garza.

2-12-01 Bill has appointment with pedophile’s ex-wife. I talked to Rich G. again. I also went to Northcutt the attorney to protect my property from WT. We talked about TV program, the practice and show on Wit lawyer and blood.

2-13-01 Bill called and said he talked with the pedophile’s ex-wife and she will go public. She didn’t know until Bill told her that her ex-husband was a pedophile or molested her sister and daughter.

2-14-01 Bill getting impatient with Rich G. I reasoned with him.

2-15-01

1.) Rich G. talked with the pedophile’s ex-wife—she wants to go ahead with Dateline.

2.) Rachelle sent me Fitzwater case. I sent it on to Rich. I wrote Rich about 2 or 3 witnesses is a church law and not civil. Again I tried to calm Bill about Rich. Friend sent Bill a reply about WT’s responsibility for not training elders.

2-16-01 Talked to Rich G. three times; gave him Dick H’s e-mail; also Prof. Cox and Zygmunt and some therapists to follow up. He’s very impressed with Fitzwater case.

2-23-01 Friday. Bill called Attorney Jeff Anderson. He said he would come to Nashville for an interview. I began again to work on my writing project.

3-5-01 We left at noon for Kentucky to stay at Bowen’s. Ate at Maria’s Restaurant. Lovely evening.

3-6-01 Bill drove us to St Louis to meet with Jeff Anderson and two associates. We talked for four hours—10:15 A.M until 2:15 P.M. Went to lunch at nearby café. We saw Jeff and group come in later (15 minutes) At end of our meal, waiter said our lunch was paid for by attorney. When we thanked them as we headed out, I told Jeff about Greenlees. He said, “Why am I not surprised.” He and group were most impressed by all WT comments about JW not being clergy.

4-25-01 Regarding Fleisher case: Week before April 25^th obtained court records. Sent Asst. Dist. Attorney, Anne, a file of all of the articles in the newspapers about Bill and molestation. Also sent her copies of BOE letters to look at. Did this after I talked to her on the phone. Told her about the other molester who molested Liz’s daughter.

5-1-01 Talked to Liz A. for four hours. Sent her by email next day all newspapers about Bill.

5-2-01 Dateline interview in Murfreesboro with John Larson at 2 P.M. in the afternoon at Roberts Inn.

May ? Rec’d reply from Liz. Not interested in telling her story of child abuse. Have copy of email with date on it.

(2001, the March 5^th issue of Christianity Today published the article: “Sex Abuse: Witness Leaders Accused of Shielding Molesters – Former and current Jehovah Witnesses question a policy they say discourages leaders from reporting abuse. XJW Richard Rawe contacted the magazine at the end of 2000 with the story about Watchtower’s cover-up of child abuse that he heard privately from me. No mention was made about me or Bowen in the story.)

5-9-01 Circuit Overseer, Will ?, called Joe. I answered the phone and he asked to speak to Joe. He asked if it’s true what he heard from two people in the Tennessee Congregation where he was visiting that Liz said I was appearing on Dateline. He also heard that I was suing the Society and the elders. Joe said he was threatened by Will that he would lose his position if I didn’t stop. Joe disagreed with him. He said he didn’t like being threatened and didn’t like being involved in judging criminal matters. Joe told him what I did in Bethel. He told Joe to go to the elders and tell them about me.

5-10-01

1.) Jean Waite said Walter Boston wants to talk to Joe. He reached Joe at Jean’s house in the afternoon while Joe was working there. Walter was nice and said child molestation viewed as worse than murder. He said CO told him to call Joe. He was surprised that CO also called. He didn’t give any information to Joe, just asked Joe questions.

2.) After the meeting on Thursday Joe told all the elders about Dateline. He got home at 11 PM. Everybody was supportive and surprised by events. Joe talked about everything he told CO. Daniel Hendricks said he wouldn’t call any JW if he found out his child was molested—he would call the police. He pointed a finger at each elder and said he wouldn’t call them. Elders want the Society to settle this issue once and for all. Larry Seely said from congregation to congregation, Bill Bowen would be handled differently. They were all upset how Bill was treated in congregation and when he went out in service—no one would work with him or give him territory.

5-14-01

1.) Left for WA state—Soap Lake. Took 3 planes to get there. One was a small Horizon plane from Seattle to Soap Lake that literally shook while flying. We stayed in a lovely motel in Soap Lake. Mom and Linda went too. Pat Garza joined us. We stayed until the 19^th, Saturday. While in the Soap Lake area, I flew in a small plane with Alan and Rochelle plus pilot over Grand Coulee on Thursday morning of the conference. Alan explained about the holes in the desert floor, etc.

2.) Alan, Mom, Linda and I went to Mt. Ranier and stayed the night at Paradise Inn. Wonderful time. Flew home Sunday the 20^th at 4 P.M. from Seattle. Bill took us to Ivers restaurant in Seattle.

3.) Collected donations of $2,200 at Rawe’s conference. Bill angered some with his first talk but calmed them down after second talk. Bruce and I talked to him before his 3^rd talk, then he did so well, he made people cry. Chris Christenson’s daughter-in-law from Canada in the audience told of her molestation. Bill has it on tape. She said that 6 out of 36 in the congregation were molested.

5-23-01 Rich G. called to tell me he found Candace W. and is slowly putting finishing touches on many stories. Also making big headway on murderer in Florida. Hopes to announce on Dateline that they know who he is.

5-24-01 At Thursday night meeting in Manchester, TN. Joe, still an elder, was given a letter from the Society. Liz A. gave my email to her brother-in-law (Butler) and he sent it to the Society. Butler sent a covering letter with the email explaining my Bethel past. He said I was in Bethel in the 80s and 90s and was in the Writing Department. Letter from the Society was short. Asked questions. Did I go to Manchester congregation? Was I wife of A. Joseph Anderson? Was I causing dissension in the congregation? Did Joe support me in what I’m doing? Elders asked Joe if anybody tried to help me? (After the meeting when Joe was telling me about the letter, I told Joe somebody should try to help them at Brooklyn.)

Elders asked Joe if this was the reason we left Bethel? He said yes. Is this the reason I stopped coming to the meetings and he said yes. Also, Joe asked them if I ever was not nice to them? They said no. I was always nice to them if they saw me in the store, etc. Joe said, so you see, it has nothing to do with them but the Society’s CSA policies. Local elders said directions from Society and CO very confusing about molestation. Society sent copy of my email and Butler’s letter to local elders and they have to write a letter back to Society. Wanted to know if Joe wanted to read their letter before they mailed it. He said no. The elders asked him if I still believed in the organization? Joe said yes. Larry wrote back to Bethel and said I wasn’t talking about my views with any of the Witnesses. The Society told Larry just to let the matter rest and see what happens.

5-25-01 I came down with a cold last week. Bill received a letter from Talli O. who said she is one of the Faithful and Discreet Slave. He talked to Freddo P. in Atlanta who is head of the FDS org. He was pictured on Dec. 22, 1993 Awake! and tract in French Congregation. We have to modify his letter by permission. In afternoon I talked to Frank F. He’s a journalist from Savannah, expert in MPD and was at one time a Witness. Need to get back to talk with him about where we can go from here. Left on Friday for Duane Magnani’s conference in Oregon on Memorial Day weekend.

5-26-01 Didn’t sleep a wink on plane during the night as I was working on a 1^st Amendment talk. Still had residual of cold and lots of mucus in tubes leading to my ears. We collected $220.00 in contributions for silentlambs expenses. I was given an excellent abuse story to turn over to attorney and Dateline (Darlene D?) Husband was 45 and wife was 24. He married her to get to her child one year before. She was disfellowshipped for telling two persons about her story. Bill showed all videos at conf. including the one on blood.

Someone in audience said second president of the WT Society, Knorr, molested a boy before his marriage. At conference met Vito from Brooklyn who Merton Campbell studied with. Left early and didn’t stay another night. We went with Bakers to their dry docked boat and then to their RV and stayed the night. Bill slept in their van. Bakers told me about Rineholt’s nutty behavior. He’s not interested in Christians helping each other. I told them about Ray Franz attitude when I spoke to him on the phone two years previously when I told him a bit about my writing project about the Russell’s and he was not interested.

5-27-01 Sunday, Joe went to work on a quick-build in Clarksville, TN. He picked me up at the airport on the way home at 5 P.M. He said he spoke to Dale and to other elders about situation. Some read articles in newspapers. Dale said this was going to make it tough to go door-to-door after Dateline aired. One elder told Joe about a recent case in his congregation near Memphis. Elders called the Society to tell them they were going to disfellowship the man. Society said no because there weren’t two witnesses to the event. Larry Seely will be there at quick-build next week so probably he will be questioned about this by the elders.

5-28-01 Joe and I left for Lance’s home in Indiana at 11:30 A.M. We plan on telling my story to them. Took Grandfather’s chair to them. I’m taking newspapers for them to read. (Colorado and Louisville Courier Journal) Still sick with cold; ears stopped up. We closed in their porch to make an office for Lance. We bought all the materials and spent $1,700. We stayed there until June 3^rd. Talked to Lance on Thursday, May 31^st and both Wendy and Lance on Friday until midnight about what has made me the person I am today. Told them everything about working with Harry Peloyan, but I don’t think I elaborated about Harry’s letter to me about our working on CSA together at Bethel..

6-9-01 I finalized arrangements to fly to Waterloo, Ontario, to speak on June 30^th at BRCI Conference.

6-9-01

1.) Rich Rawe tried to make arrangements for me to speak at a Bible conference outside of Pittsburgh. No soap.

2.) Joe out in service and was told by an elder about January 15, 1982 Watchtower article on page 31 about disassociation. The elder commented that maybe I fit one of the descriptions. Joe thought more about it and told me. I said why should I be punished by disassociating myself when I did nothing wrong by leaving the organization because they condoned breaking the law? On Sunday, Joe said he spoke to the person and corrected the situation. I told him to tell who ever asks that I would get a lawyer if they try to say I disassociated myself.

3.) Ron Frank, Joe’s roommate at Bethel when they both were in Bethel in the 1950’s called in the evening. Joe told him about the whole Dateline and abuse story. Ron was supportive.

6-11-01 Rich Greenberg called. Told me show would air in September when audience is biggest. It will feature Bill’s life. He said he interviewed Lexus, perp’s ex-wife the day before. Very good story. I’m trying to help him find Candace W’s. family in Huntsville. Name of her father is Clay. Grandmother is Nell W.

6-11 and 12-01 Spoke to Brian H. about Bill and I speaking at an XJW Gay conference in August. He said he’s working hard on airline fee and raising money.

6-12-01 Bill returned from NJ where he performed Pandelo’s son’s wedding.

Sometime in June, I found out that Legal and Service Department are one. Also, Norm said he heard that Sam Herd and the Canadian GB were not leaders and others were disappointed.

6-29 through 7/1-01 Canadian BRCI Conference, Waterloo. (Pentons, Tom Cabeen and Gregerson were there) I spoke on the 30^th, Friday afternoon and evening. My afternoon talk caused Louise? to go crazy and vandalize cars outside. She was an abuse victim. I arrived home on July 1^st at 9 P.M. at Nashville. Delayed due to storms. Met Andrew K. who has production business.

7-7-01 Rich Rawe sent me letter in “Ministry” magazine, a 7^th Day Adventist magazine. Pastors complained about handling sex abuse cases.

7-8 & 9-01 I spoke to Bill and Alan about Germany and how the Awake! magazine had an article about volunteerism which was published to convince the German authorities that JW’s are civic minded and responsible. (See JW media site info on Germany) July 22, 2001 Awake! on Volunteerism is a dishonest attempt to portray JWs preaching as a civic activity. The article mentions that JWs teach a literacy course. They don’t say that it is taught out of a booklet actually designed to convert people. If JWs didn’t have the goal of conversion, they wouldn’t teach people

7-10-01

1.) Rich Greenberg told me he’s going to the WT for personal, non-filming interview. Will have to wait for WT to decide if they will film the interview. Bill heard through Pinky from Ann that panic in Bethel over Dateline. Information could have come from Jim P. to his friend Vinnie. Also heard that Australia is trying new shunning policy. Review case by case but no pity for apostates.

2.) Jeff Anderson called Bill. Told him that he’s ready to file New Hampshire’s Poisson case this week. Rich Greenberg upset because he wasn’t notified by Jeff. He wants case filed and announced after Dateline.

3.) Norm S. (former Bethelite and circuit overseer) is going to try to get a CO to talk to Rich. Norm is in touch with a man who is a personal friend of Ted Jaracz’s. relatives (nephews). This man said Ted’s nephew was recently a personal guest to Ted’s apt. for dinner at Bethel. He was toured Bethel by Bob Wallen. Nephew was very disgusted by all the empty floors, yet Society begs for more money. Relative very rich and runs in big league in the entertainment business. He said that Ted was opposed to reorganization into new corporations and new committee arrangement.

4.) Bill said his Chicago friend told him that U.K. branch is being expanded to Patterson size so they can print literature when and if Germany branch closed by government.

5.) Brenda C. called Bill and said she was at BRCI. She offered her services as an expert P.R. person.

7-11-01

1.) Wednesday. Melanie came through with a list and I faxed it to Rich G. four pages of names. He was excited! Rich ate turkey at Bethel in the 25 Dining Room. He interviewed J. R. Brown, Al Cacaraci and D. Moore, the man who filmed Bill’s parents, and Don Nelson for WT video. D. Moore said he was from S. Central Tenn. And had a TV station. Rich was impressed with Watchtower and said nobody in NY knows such a place exists. He was impressed but said he couldn’t live like that, not even on university grounds.

2.) Norm S. sent Rich G. a long email as Maximus and included “Friend’s” remarks, which he sent to Norm, Alan and Bill many months ago about the “smoking gun.” Norm will call Rich tomorrow.

3.) Rich G told WT men that good JWs are complaining about theology on abuse, etc. He said, “Caesar’s things to Caesar” compels JW’s not to come into conflict with authorities. JR Brown said in the interview with Rich that “We don’t see the need to go beyond Caesar’s law.

Sam Herd, Jack Barr, and Splane all of the GB met Rich before the interview. Table was filled with PR people taking copious notes. They asked him for info as to how would he handle sex abuse problem? He said he was a journalist and neutral. They said they would provide him with a case where they did turn a day care worker over to the authorities. (Bill wondered why they didn’t turn all perps into authorities.) Rich asked J. R. Brown how does GB make decisions or change policy? He didn’t get a concise answer. Rich G met a couple; she’s a housekeeper and loves it. Rich told me about how he was told that Jews are converting to JW and how they are united with Arab brothers.

4.) Bill spoke with Jeff Anderson again in the afternoon. His firm now decided to file lawsuit 23^rd or 24^th of July. He said Silentlambs can release lots of information in a news release. Bill sent Jeff a sample we worked on last night. Jeff said Erica Rodriquez should not talk to media, nor should Rawe, but Silentlambs can show up for trial and say anything but not mention names. I have to tell Richard Rawe to back off until after trial, then they can say anything.

5.) This afternoon Amish man, “Yoder” returned Bill’s call. They compared organizations. Both websites will link up.

6.) I talked to Pandelos this morning asking about a CO to talk to Rich G. They want me to talk to Ann W., former deceased CO’s wife) tomorrow evening. Also, gave me Mike St J’s phone number. Told them about how Dateline plans to advertise pre-show. They saw 6 minute video of Clement, grandfather to their children who molested their kids) brought to them by Rich and said Clement was filmed close-up witnessing at a door with his wife, had Bible open, etc. but they never realized how Dateline will use this video until I told them. They gasped!

7-12-01 Thursday.

1.) I told Joe I couldn’t comprehend how J.R. Brown could protect organization over theology and not care about the children. Why didn’t local elders call me when they found out about child abuse and me? How come nobody cared about little kids? Joe read statement in 4/8/97 Awake! and said “yes” he remembered. I said this statement could make me cry. I talked to Joe about “Why appointed men in the org. didn’t walk away when they found out about all of this?” He didn’t answer. I said this religion is a sham when almost all the older men we knew when we were young, were guilty of adultery, molestation, etc. Max F. and R. Marsh were not what I thought they were. All the men had mistresses who he knew when he was a child. How can you believe in a God Jehovah when people who claim they believe are hypocrites?

2.) Talked to Rich G. and gave him Jeff A. phone #. Rich said he rec’d another e-mail corroborating that Jeff’s daughter Julia was a child when she told her mom about Freeman and Fleishner molesting her.

3.) Rich said he was affected by seeing no children at Bethel. He asked about reproving women for smoking and husband for molestation. How can people find out? JR Brown said through spreading the word in small congregations. Rich said this is gossip. I said this is a disfellowshipping offense. Also, JR said they don’t mind complaints from within, but not on TV. I said wouldn’t all big corporations like that. Keep it internal. Rich asked Brown to define how you deal with molesters. He said sometime you do disfellowship and sometime not; sometime removed, sometime not removed.

4.) Bill rec’d first crank mail today. Also, he rec’d his order of Silentlambs bumper stickers.

5.) Gretchen called and said Ann Y. from Winchester saw her at work and came over to talk. Ann said Clay W. would have killed Fleishner if he wasn’t in jail. Clay and his wife moved back to Huntsville to get away from TN. Clay found out that Fleishner molested (rape?) Clay’s wife after she gave birth to Candace, years ago. Also, Ann said Huntsville newspapers full of the story because Fleishner’s wife was a Huntsville realtor and he had an auto body shop. Nell W. Renee’s mother lives in Huntsville. Candace was living with Fleisners because her father was emotionally abusing her.

6-16-01 Bill rec’d a call from “48 Hours” asking to do an interview.

7-17-01 Rich said that there was clear evidence of botched child molestation cases in ten states. He also said he talked to a highly placed Witness who has knowledge of 250 cases.

7-18-01 Norm said PR department in U.S. will be dissolved and Public Affairs closed down in all Western world now. Also, he said craggy veterans eager and ready to go after hardliners who drive organization down. Prime movers in Brooklyn decided change is needed. Blood and child abuse and corporate changes are afoot. Both blood and child abuse policies have been reviewed in last days. Hold out is Ted. Hard liners insist change can’t be seen as coming from outside. Brumley not liked but is a pragmatist. He came up with the donation arrangement. Hard liners blame CO and CO’s blame elders. General atmosphere at Bethel is very unhappy. Service Dept. says CO gets it wrong so call Service.

7-14-01 Found out Jemimah (anonymous poster on JWN) is a 26 year old attorney working with the Society and is over all European Law in the UK. He’s sending some material to Norm.

2.) Bill started a fire storm by telling Jemimah to put up or shut up.

7-25-01

1.) I sent Liz the U.K. June 1^st BOE letters today as emails with explanation. I found out today that Jeff Anderson filed N.H. trial papers last Friday but will not announce to media until last day of July, next Tuesday. Why, I don’t know.

2.) Norm spoke to Rich G for 2 hours. Rich called me a mensch: “Salt of the earth. A person of integrity and honor; a decent, upright, mature and responsible person.”

3.) Bill talked to Hawkaw-Warren L. in Canada. Also to Chris R., a Canadian attorney about constitutional law in Canada. Warren found out that he and Chris worked together on an Indian reservation water legal job. Warren works for Interior Ministry with water rights.

4.) Warren talked to Norm and Alan for the past 3 weeks on blood and found out about the Professor and his misquote.

5.) Two weeks ago, I asked Norm to post on net a request for CO or DO to come forward as Rich G. wanted to talk to one. Norm has made lots of contacts. He was talking to Cor. on JW site, who has liver disease and so has wife. They left org. six months ago when they looked into blood and saw it was a lie. Then he told Norm about David H. in Nevada, an elder who was involved in an awful molestation case. Norm asked to talk to David and he contacted Norm today. See email all about cover-up. Sounds just like what I told Dateline. Norm sent email to Rich and is talking more to David asking for video, etc.

6.) Elias contacted Bill after Bill put a post on JW site scolding big men for not coming forward. Elias is Spanish. Elias said he went forward with documents then called Bill and told him he met with Rich for two hours at a bar. He gave Rich documents, letters from WT telling not to report molester to authorities. Rich in 7^th heaven. Molester admitted to molesting a girl but she denied. Clever move because he didn’t molest her, but many others. He’s now disfellowshipped. Elias liked Rich very much, so does Norm. Elias is 34 and was very important elder in Manhattan. Called himself, “Truth Exodus,” on JW site. He really stopped believing when he saw murder letter on Silentlambs even though he had questions about 1914, etc., and expressed himself about it last year to a sister. She turned him in three weeks ago and he resigned only to be removed and have eight testify against him although he didn’t know four of them. Claudius Johnson sent from Bethel to meet with Elias and other elders. The one from Bethel is an observer. They want to meet again he thinks to disfellowship him next week so Bill told him to write a letter and not meet unless he gets a reply which they won’t do. Now Rich is thinking of wiring Elias for the elder meeting. Elias going to get into KH to try to get more evidence before his key is taken away.

7.) Rawe still working on getting transcript from Erica Rodriquerz trial in WA State.

8.) Chris Christenson called after Norm did and we talked for an hour. Same ole thing except he said he is going to make contact with woman reporter again. I told him about the two Canadians, Hawk and Chris without mentioning names.

7-29-01 Talked to Dan Y. of San Diego and Las Vegas on the 29^th, 30, and 31^st. He called the Service Dept. and will mail letter to me.

8-10-01 Maximas has a Canadian friend who had dinner with Ted Jaracz yesterday. Ted was in good spirits. Max’s friend raised issue of Christian conscience. Ted said only GB can state what a Christian conscience is! In addition, Ted said WT has been preparing for attack by apostates far longer than you think. He said stamping Witnesses into the ground brings on Armageddon. He said, “WT is material and when it disappears, nothing can destroy the spiritual end of the WT.” He quoted from Isaiah about Ariel, or WT, being stamped into the ground and this brings on Armageddon. (Ariel was an article in WT written by Fred Franz.) TJ thinks Armageddon is here and views it as if Armageddon is here. Today, Max’s friend had lunch with Jesse McCabe who is attorney McCabe’s son.

8-12-01 Sunday, I flew out to Washington State to attend Erica’s trial.

8-14-01 Tuesday. Erica’s trial. Jury selection first. Dateline people were there too. So was Shirley Wentworth from Tri-City Herald. We ate lunch together and she interviewed me.

8-15-01

1.) Wednesday. Erica’s trial resumes. It took Adams County Superior Court jury of seven-men and five-women about 4 hours, from 4 to 8 PM, to find Belize guilty on all four charges. Sentencing is on Sept. 24^th at 9:30 A.M. See notes on trial in diary book on yellow notebook paper.

2.) Joe called me that afternoon while we waited for the jury to decide Belize’s fate and told me that the elders wanted to meet with me. I said “no.” Dateline was going to air in September and I suspected that Bethel was getting anxious for the elders to meet with me.

8-16-01 Thursday. Bill and I left in Marilyn K’s. niece’s husband’s car for Orcas Island. Joe called me at Orcas Island right after he heard from Ron Frank, to tell me that Ron Frank called him that evening about the article which appeared in the Tri-City Herald on the 16^th that mentioned my name. (It was two hours earlier in Washington than in Tennessee.) Ron expressed surprise at what the article said. He said it’s going to be difficult to go out in service from now on.

When we arrived in Orcas Island everybody wanted to hear about the trial. Then we camped along with Bakers and the King family until Sunday I slept in the big RV with Rachelle, and Bill slept in Baker’s van or maybe in a tent. Can’t remember.

.

8-19-01 Sunday. I returned from Washington State with Bill. Joe picked me up at airport.

8-20-01 Monday. Larry (PO) called. I answered the phone and he asked for Joe after asking how I was. He then asked Joe for an answer if I was going to meet with them. Joe wouldn’t give him an answer then, said he’d answer at Thursday’s meeting.

8-22-01 Wednesday. Norm said six GB went to France and Jaracz beat the devil out of branch. It appears that French branch had a dalliance with Ray Franz and might be apostate. He also said that U.K. branch unhappy with Brooklyn. Ausies pushing to have Brooklyn overhauled. GB is being pushed to abandon two witnesses. Roman 13 supercedes two witnesses, Norm thinks, based on information received. He also was told that preservation of the organization as is, is Jaracz idea. Progressive and pragmatists want change to survive, one of which is Don Adams. Norm said he received a message from Bethel left on his answering machine. “You and your friend are being watched over in friendship. Norm said this friend couldn’t say enough good things about me in a previous discussion.

8-23-01 Thursday. Joe told the elders at the meeting, “No, she won’t meet with you.” Nothing more happened that I know of.

8-25-01 Saturday.

1.) Apparently Larry got right back with Bethel about my refusal to meet. Norm said his friend at Bethel said Legal and Service are arguing about me. Service wants to disfellowship me and Legal said no.

2.) Saturday morning at 1 A.M., Bill put my email to Liz on silentlambs website.

3.) Norm said Jaracz wants tactical changes not like what Norman had suggested.

4.) Andy McFarlane, from Bethel, went to UK to hunt for leaks.

5.) Larry called. I answered the phone and he asked how I was. I said fine. Then Larry asked for Joe. He didn’t mention anything to me about the meeting, etc.

9-11-01 NY Twin Towers were destroyed. Hit by two airplanes. Also hit was the Pentagon. 2.) Rich Rawe sent me an evaluation of a “Dawn” pamphlet.

Week of 9-16-01 Alan F spoke to Wallen, Jaracz, and Don Adams about child abuse recording all conversations.

Week of 9-24 Alan F spoke to Mario Moreno and Bob Wallen. He talked about illustrations of Armageddon in the literature.

9-26-01 Bill called. He returned the night before from Ritzville sentencing which was the 24^th. Manual Belize was sentenced to 11 years, but had already served two years.

2.) Bill talked to Kent today about money in Swiss banks. He explained how he heard that during WWII, JW’s entrusted their money to WT and when they went to their deaths the money stayed in WT accounts in the bank.

9-27-01

1.) Dan Y. called and he said Jeff Anderson called him. He will meet Dan in Las Vegas on Oct 19^th and is definitely taking the case. Dan said whatever money he might win it will go to grandchildren, Silentlambs, charities, etc. He wants to sue both his parents and Society. Right now, R. Greenberg has Dan’s video which he will return today.

2.) This morning Alan F spoke to WY attorney, Mario Morino for 1 ½ hours. He will send me a recorded copy.

After 9/11, Rich Greenberg in touch with both Bill and I saying that our Dateline program might go on in November. All of the Dateline people were assigned to cover the Twin Towers disaster and not thinking about anything else.

Rich Greenberg stayed in touch with us, but nothing developed for airing our program in November. Around February he said the program might air in March, then said April. He told us that WT was calling him constantly asking when the program was going to air. Finally sometime in March, the bosses at Dateline set the date for May 28^th, 2002, Sweeps week. Bethel was notified.

4-5-02

1.) Jean K worked for the UN. She said that the WT NGO status was a big embarrassment to the UN. UN sees this as a major screw-up. There were Egyptian people working in the DPI office in 1992 and didn’t know JW’s were Watchtower. The UN views WT as a cult. They investigated the information that came to them now and were shocked.

2.) Today, Bill called Jim P. at Bethel and he said that Jim sounded like a complete organization man. Didn’t even remember Pandelo’s! He had to suspect his phone was being tapped.

3.) Bill asked Jemimah about speaking out anonymously on Panorama, although he didn’t mention the show’s name. No answer yet.

—-

Barbara’s diary entries concluded on May 5, 2002. In conclusion, Barbara added this:

I was disfellowshipped May 19, 2002 for “causing divisions” and that was before I caused any “divisions” which would happen after Dateline aired on May 28, 2002 twenty years ago today, May 28, 2022.