A significant lawsuit has been filed against the Fellowship of Friends, a spiritual organization based in California, and its leader, Robert Earl Burton. The lawsuit involves allegations of sexual assault and trafficking by several former members of the group. The plaintiffs claim that Burton assaulted them and “hundreds—if not thousands of other young men.” This case brings to light serious accusations against a group some have referred to as a cult.
The Fellowship of Friends, founded by Burton in 1970, is known for its emphasis on high culture and art, such as Renaissance paintings and opera, as a path to higher consciousness. Burton’s teachings are based on the “Fourth Way” system developed by the 20th-century Russian mystic-philosopher George Gurdjieff. He claims guidance from a pantheon of historical figures like Dante Alighieri and Leonardo da Vinci, who supposedly inform him of apocalyptic future events. The group’s headquarters, a 1,200-acre compound called Apollo, is located in Oregon House, California, and features a sprawling complex with Baroque statues, fountains, and gardens.
The Fellowship claims an international membership of 1,500, with 500 to 600 living near the Apollo compound. Members are required to contribute at least 10% of their income to the group. Some are selected to live with Burton in his mansion, where he allegedly targeted young, vulnerable male members for abuse. The lawsuit claims that fellowship officers and directors were aware of and facilitated Burton’s abuse, including procuring immigration documents for young men to be trafficked to the U.S..
This lawsuit follows allegations first exposed in an investigative podcast, which includes interviews with six men claiming that Burton forced them into sexual relations. These revelations include disturbing accounts of sex rituals known as “Lovefests,” during which Burton attempted to have sex with up to 100 men in a 24-hour period. Two participants from Eastern Europe stated that they were helped by the fellowship to obtain visas to move to the U.S. for this purpose.
The plaintiffs describe a manipulative environment where Burton banned same-sex relationships among members while targeting heterosexual men for his own sexual exploitation. He reportedly claimed to be a “goddess in a male body” and convinced followers that sexual submission to him was a spiritual requirement. The plaintiffs’ accounts highlight the severe psychological and emotional trauma resulting from this exploitation.
This case against the Fellowship of Friends and Robert Earl Burton raises critical concerns about the manipulation and abuse under the guise of spiritual enlightenment. It underscores the need for vigilance against such predatory behaviors in spiritual and religious organizations.
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