Statement of the GBC Executive Committee

[Guest guest]

10 January 2007

 

Dear Devotees,

 

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

New discussions have recently been going on about criminal activities that

took place in New Vrindavana in the 1980s. These events were thoroughly

investigated by the United States Attorney's Office, which contains some of

the finest attorneys in the country, and several individuals were prosecuted

and convicted. The case has now been closed for almost two decades.

 

The GBC is not a legal or law enforcement agency. It is an ecclesiastical

body that lacks the resources to match the ability of the federal government

to deal with these matters. All it can do is refer such matters to the

appropriate legal authorities. We can simply state below the facts of the

case as we understand them:

 

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spent several years

investigating the Sulocana case, and other serious legal problems with the

New Vrindavana community. These were conducted in tandem with the United

States Attorney in West Virginia.

 

In addition, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the murder of

Sulocana dasa as a California state case, and they also gave evidence in the

federal case. Law officers from West Virginia were also involved.

 

There were two federal trials and a major grand jury hearing regarding

Kirtanananda dasa. Tirtha dasa was also tried, both in California and West

Virginia. (Kirtanananda served a lengthy prison term. Tirtha is still in

prison.) These extensive government investigations and trials contained

nothing to substantiate the allegations brought forward by Janmastami dasa

against Radhanath Swami.

 

There were no charges of any kind brought against Radhanath Swami. This was

despite the fact that as part of the overall investigation Radhanath Swami

was interrogated by the Western Region FBI Director, LAPD investigators,

federal prosecutors, and two grand juries. He was cleared by all these

agencies of any involvement in wrongdoing.

 

A week ago, on January 3rd, 2007, Michael Stein, United States Attorney and

the lead federal prosecutor for the case, after hearing the recent

allegations from Janmastami dasa, stated:

 

"We looked at everyone in New Vrindavana, particularly those higher on the

ring. Radhanath Swami could have been an influence [in this crime] but he

wasn't."

 

Stein went on to say that there was no evidence whatsoever that Radhanath

Swami had any involvement in the crime and that Radhanath Swami was never

considered a defendant. When asked, he said there was no question of further

investigations based on the allegations of Janmastami. US Attorney Stein

concluded by saying that he personally "vouched for" Radhanath Swami's

credibility.

 

Given the above, the GBC finds no reasons to take these allegations

seriously. The GBC recommends that any person in possession of newly

discovered evidence regarding the New Vrindavana events present such

information to the U.S. Attorney's Office or other appropriate legal agency.

If any subsequent investigation might ensue, the GBC will fully cooperate

with it.

 

Finally, the GBC asked Radhanath Swami if he would like to make a statement

regarding these allegations. He wrote:

 

"I do not have the time, health, or energy to get into Internet debates, and

as I'm trying to be a Vaishnava, I'm reluctant to defend myself from such

assaults of character.

 

"But for the purpose of clarification, my comments are as follows:

 

"In 1993 New Vrindavana community members were informed about the spiritual

problems Kirtanananda Swami was having. Janmastami dasa was furious, and

told me that Kirtanananda Swami was the perfect acarya, and that anything

said about him was all vicious lies. He said he held me responsible for

being the leader of a conspiracy against Kirtanananda Swami and that I would

be "destroyed." Since then he has repeatedly threatened me and other members

of the New Vrindavana community.

 

"As far as what Janmastami dasa has written on the Internet, every single

allegation against me is totally false. I was not involved in any criminal

activity.

 

"On a personal note, I have nothing against Janmastami Prabhu and only wish

the best for him.

 

Your servant,

Radhanath Swami"

 

 

Your servants,

ISKCON GBC Executive Committee