Honey, Fraud and MPI

It’s been such a big week or two with Gloriavale the news. Every day or three it seems like something else was capturing the headlines and I was still processing what had occurred the day before.

My mind is now ruminating on the issue of forest gold honey and the fraud charges that were dropped against Gloriavale’s Forest Gold company and the director by MPI.

Essentially the name suppression lapsed on the men involved in the forgery of export docuements related to honey export to Vietnam, and some more details have been released to the public.

Unfortunately because the company and the director have had their charges dropped they will not be standing trial and many more details will never make their way to the light of day. That is a shame because there is huge benefit in requiring someone to sit in court and be asked sticky questions. It’s gets awkward a – you either get forced to tell the truth – or you tell lies to cover up – and they eventually get uncovered. Both scenarios are useful for those who have left GV and for those who are still inside. And it’s good for the person facing the issue too.

For those still inside Gloriavale they need to be confronted with the many ways the community has been deceitful over the years – in many many realms. It’s important that charges are laid and there is a historic record. Likewise, for leavers it’s helpful for them to feel validated. Many of them knew things were wrong, but weren’t in a position to blow the whistle while still inside. So they flew a sense of relief when there is some exposure. They weren’t going crazy after all!

The pursuit of justice is a righteous and holy thing. It’s not necessarily a sign of vindictiveness or bitterness. It can actually be seen as an incredible act of mercy to force someone to reckon with themselves. There are still a lot of people linked to Gloriavale that have not yet honestly examined things.

The recovery road to health and wellness cannot begin until some of the wrongs have been acknowledged.

Back to specific details about the MPI case. There are many details that might not be understood properly unless you have a firm grasp on how cults like this operate.

When things are going well the business managers and directors will take all the compliments and enjoy the benefits of success, but as soon as the spotlight comes on they’re very happy to move the blame onto individuals and pretend they were less involved.

It’s a cruel system where the people at the top get to make decisions and set a narrative, but the people below them don’t have the same ability to direct their lives and remain in the community.

What do you do when you techncially did wrong, ie in this case forged document, but were ignorant of the seriousness of offending, and there were stand-over tactics being used on you? Most cult members simply do what they are told and they ignore the ringing bells of their conscience. (They’ve learnt there is a punishment meeted out to anyone that ultimately goes against a leader).

Perhaps the man who actually committed the fraud really shouldn’t be taking the weight of responsibility for this. How responsible is a slave for obeying the commands of its master?

Regarding this case, i went back to read the notes I’ve been recording since 2021 where the party saga started unfolding. One story jumped out at me. A former Gloriavale member went up to the community on Sunday afternoon not long after the fraud took place. They wanted to talk to the Shepherd and Servants about some other issues he was unhappy. As they arrived they could hear the conversation that was taking place in the meeting room, and so they hovered by the back door and listened in. Lo and behold it was an extraordinary conversation about this Forest Gold honey saga. It was a discussion about whether one of the men should have the same lawyers as the leaders. Clear as day, one of the leaders involved in this situation said, “It will all be okay if we stick to the same story”.

Disturbing. I believe as a Christian the pursuit of truth is a noble activity.

The saga got so complicated, but eventually it appears all the men and the company were directed to get different lawyers. The one who simply followed orders needed his own representation.

I kept my ear to the ground as the case unfolded and all I can say is it never ceases to amaze me what people in cults will do to evade accountability – whilst throwing others under the bus. Inside cults, the average person is pretty dispensable. The leadership do whatever they can to cling to power whilst crushing the underlings – and then mocking it whenever they hear that accusation.

There were some pretty low moments with a lot of stress and heartache. The only winners are lawyers and those who manage to avoid accountability.

But it worked for the organisation of Gloriavale. Delay tactics have seemed worth it. Crime appears to pay after all …?

Who knew if you simply liquidated, charges against your company could be dropped?

But is that the messaging we want to send to Gloriavale or any NZ businesses??