Nov. 27, 1987: High Court to Hear Appeal of Suit Accusing Moon's Church of Fraud (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-27-mn-16653-story.html) (LA Times - Paywall)
Oct. 17, 1988: High Court Ruling a Blow for 'Moonies' (https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/10/17/High-court-ruling-a-blow-for-Moonies/7660593064000/) (UPI)
QuoteWASHINGTON — In a case that has been watched anxiously by mainstream churches, the Supreme Court cleared the way Monday for a damages trial against the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church for allegedly having used trickery and brainwashing to recruit two young members.
The justices refused to hear an appeal by Moon's lawyers on grounds that the Constitution's guarantee of the "free exercise of religion" protected the church in proselytizing for new members.
The high court action leaves intact a California Supreme Court ruling in October that the church could be held liable for lying and deceit by its members.
May 23, 1989: High Court OKs Moon Church Trial : Lets Stand California Ruling in Recruiting Practices Case (https://web.archive.org/web/20250712015933/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-23-mn-695-story.html) (LA Times - Internet Archive)
Oct. 17, 1988: Molko v. Holy Spirit Assn (https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/46/1092.html) (Justia - Supreme Court of California)
Nov. 2010: Escape from the Unification Church (https://web.archive.org/web/20190812170137/http://www.paulmorantz.com/cult/escape-from-unification-church/) (Paul Morantz)
QuoteOn Sunday, January 21 Moonies approached Molko as he waited at a SF bus stop and said they were socially conscious people living in an "international community" in order to discuss important issues. They invited Molko to come to dinner. Molko asked if they had a "religious connection." They said "no" and did not reveal to Molko that they were members of the Unification Church, or that their purpose was to recruit him into the Church.
Molko attended the dinner, which included a number of other targets. He was kept apart from the other guests, and held in constant conversation with group members. After dinner there was a lecture on general social problems, followed by a slide show on "Boonville" — a "farm" a few hours to the north, owned by the group at the house. The slide show depicted Boonville as a rural getaway where people from the house went for relaxation and pleasure. When the presentation was concluded, all the targets were invited to visit. The group members assured Molko they would provide for all his needs. Impressed by this hospitality and enthusiasm, Molko agreed to go, not knowing his destination was an indoctrination facility for the Unification Church.
Molko was given a sleeping bag and a shelter where others were already sleeping. He awoke the next morning finding more than just the 12 from the van were sleeping in the room. When he walked to the bathroom, a group member arose and walked with him. Wherever he went, a group member attached.
Molko day's schedule left him no individual time. There were group calisthenics, then group breakfast, then a group lecture on moral and ethics. After lunch was, more exercise and more lectures. After dinner, there were"testimonials," group singing and more group discussion. At the end of the day Molko was exhausted.
Molko asked the name of the group, and was told it was the "Creative Community Project." He was told it associated with no religious organizations. By the end of Tuesday, Molko, tired amd uncomfortable, informed he desired to return to San Francisco. They told him he was free to leave but the bus departed at three o'clock in the morning. They strongly urged him to stay and hear the important information that would be discussed. Molko agreed to stay a little longer.
The days that followed were the same: lectures were repeated verbatim. They spoke of brotherly love and social problems, and included references to God and prayer. On Wednesday, Molko was informed the group's teachings derived from many philosophical sources, including Aristotle, Jefferson, and Reverend Sun Myung Moon. It was not disclosed that Reverend Moon was the group's spiritual leader.
On Friday night, Molko was told the group was about to leave Boonville for "Camp K" — another group-owned retreat used on weekends. Molko said he wanted to return to San Francisco, but again was urged to give the group a few more days. He agreed and made the trip to Camp K, still oblivious of his involvement with the Unification Church.
A weekend of exercises and -lectures continued at Camp K and then he was back at Boonville, during which Molko became increasingly disoriented and despairing of his future. On his 12th day of continuous group activity Molko was told for the first time the group was part of the Unification Church. While confused he was told the deception was necessary because of all the bad stories about the Church. He agreed to stay and try to work out his confusion.