The receiver, attorney R. Scott Haley, moved immediately to secure all CBN bank accounts and within 24 hours had removed founder Bruce Hawthorn, Hawthorn’s wife, and Ron Beers, Hawthorn’s handpicked operational vice president.
Haley brought back Gary Sprigg, formerly acting CEO, and removed staff members Hawthorn had installed at the Barberton Rescue Mission, replacing them with previous staffers. The receiver has the authority to negotiate a settlement with the IRS, which has been investigating the CBN for several years.
Knoxville pastor Bruce Russell, a reforming member of the CBN who was ousted by Hawthorn last December, told CT he is “very encouraged.” A challenge to his ouster from the CBN board has been mounted in an Ohio appeals court; that action is still pending. The judge’s April 25 order was agreed to by the attorney for Hawthorn; as a result, it cannot be appealed.
One of the few limits on receiver Haley’s power was the specification that the receiver “shall not have any authority to control or direct the religious services” at the mission, or at CBN.
Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere
The Christian Brotherhood Newsletter site only addresses the controversy in passing.Christianity Today‘s earlier coverage of the Christian Brotherhood Newsletter includes:
Health Ministry Fraud Alleged | Ohio seeks $16 million in damages against Christian Brotherhood Newsletter. (Mar. 9, 2001)
Bearing (some but not all) Burdens | Clean-living Christians create an unusual way to share medical expenses. (Sept. 15, 2000)
Past coverage by other news organizations included
Lawyer takes over charity in Barberton | Attorney given control of charitable insurance company under scrutiny — Akron Beacon Journal (Apr. 26, 2001)
Charity facing crisis, report says | Review recommends judge appoint receiver to oversee Barberton Rescue Mission newsletter — Akron Beacon Journal (Apr. 6, 2001)
Rescue mission records reviewed | Judge appoints receiver to study charitable group accused of keeping funds — Akron Beacon Journal (Mar. 23, 2001)
Fraud alleged at faith-based organization | Charity unable to make payments to subscribers — WEWS, Cleveland (Feb. 23, 2001)
Good plan. Bad behavior? | Health newsletter’s success depended on trust and honesty — Editorial, Akron Beacon Journal (Feb. 7, 2001)
Friends lose faith in health newsletter | Former supporters become whistle-blowers, allege abuses by founder of Barberton mission’s program — Akron Beacon Journal (Feb. 4, 2001)
Receiver will control charity | Judge’s appointee to hold financial data as state alleges fraud, mismanagement — Akron Beacon Journal (Dec. 28, 2000)
Mission faces state lawsuit | Barberton Rescue Mission in Wayne County is accused of improperly using millions in funds — Akron Beacon Journal (Dec. 12, 2000)
