Posted on 09/24/2021 9:09:44 PM PDT by Fractal Trader
Two women claim they were duped into becoming unpaid servants for a secretive Manhattan cult, run by a one-time actress who had a bit part in “Slaughterhouse-Five”— and has long faced accusations of bilking her acolytes.
The Odyssey Study Group was run by Sharon Gans Horn, who died in January at age 86 and had a decades-long alleged history of siphoning cash from adoring followers to support her wealthy lifestyle, including posh homes.
Stephanie Rosenberg and Marjorie Hochman said they signed up for Horn’s Odyssey Study Group in 2005 because they believed it would “help improve their lives economically, physically and spiritually,” according to a Manhattan Supreme Court class-action lawsuit they filed against the cult and its leaders.
But instead of finding enlightenment and growth, Rosenberg and Hochman shelled out $400 monthly cash “membership fees” and slaved away as cooks, cleaners and recruiters, according to their jointly filed lawsuit.
Alex Horn and Sharon Gans who ran a local theater program, are accused of running a cult. One-time actress Sharon Gans Horn had an alleged history of siphoning cash from followers to support her wealthy lifestyle. Hearst Newspapers via Getty Imag “All they received for their labor was trauma, emotional distress and other injuries,” they charged in court papers.
“The members of the cult made [Horn] and others very rich” — with the late leader living in “an $8 million dollar condominium in the Plaza Hotel” with other “properties around the United States and in Mexico,” the suit said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
2005? Is there no statutes of limitations on silliness?
Cherry Vodka will do that to you...
sounds like Nxivm, first edition
women bilking women out of money - sign up for apprenticeship, submit compromising photo or house deed to prove ‘loyalty’ - extort money forever
What a tremendous business plan!
And $cientology.
While we’re at it, I would like my money back for that “Serenity Now!” cassette!
https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/slaughterhouse-five/valencia-pilgrim
Valencia is Billy’s extremely large and extremely good-natured wife. She never thought anyone would marry her because of her size, so she bursts into tears with gratitude the night of their honeymoon. She loves Billy so much that, when she hears he has been in a plane crash, she drives to the hospital with her eyes so full of tears that she can’t see the road. She winds up having a car accident that leaves her vehicle so damaged that she dies of carbon monoxide poisoning.
***********
Shmoop?
Shoompy?
Anyway, I believe her one line was “These pretzels are making me thirsty!”
I think she should have married Billy Mumphey, in a story about love, deception, greed, lust and…unbridled enthusiasm. That Billy was a simple country boy. You might say a cockeyed optimist, who got himself mixed up in the high stakes game of world diplomacy and international intrigue. Could have changed her whole career!
I wouldn't call the part of Billy's wife a "bit part," as the article above does.
And she definitely had more lines than just the one about pretzels you cited.
Regards,
“And she definitely had more lines than just the one about pretzels you cited”
It’s a Seinfeld reference. Out of respect for Kurt Vonnegut, I’ll gladly acknowledge that the character had a larger part with multiple lines that may or may not have included pretzels (but probably didn’t).
First thing I thought of as well.
Perfect for an episode of Law & Order: SVU.
Brilliant!
Then there’s always my version of the “Serenity Prayer”
Lord, grant me tbe serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know where to hide the bodies of those who REALLY annoy me.
What was she doing? Cleaning carpets?
Ooh, forgot about that! But don’t take George. Can’t just accept anyone.
He can sell computers, though.
"But I don't even know L. Ron Hubbard!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.