Seeking spiritual enlightenment and awakening, six men instead found themselves subjected to “rampant, unceasing sexual abuse” within the Fellowship of Friends, a controversial religious group with ties to an award-winning Northern California winery. These serious allegations, as described in a lawsuit filed in Yuba County, paint a harrowing picture of manipulation and abuse masked by the veneer of spiritual guidance and fine living.

The Fellowship of Friends, established in 1970 by Robert Earl Burton, a former schoolteacher, presents itself as a path to true potential and self-realization, reminiscent of Bay Area communes. However, former members allege it’s a cult of personality, serving primarily to fulfill Burton’s sexual desires. Alongside its spiritual offerings, the Fellowship operates the Renaissance Vineyard and Winery, renowned for its acclaimed wines.

The plaintiffs, whose identities remain undisclosed, are seeking justice for 15 alleged violations, including gender violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. They recount disturbing experiences of assault, grooming, and manipulation within the Fellowship’s main campus, Apollo, set on a 1,300-acre expanse in Oregon House, California. This idyllic setting, known for its fine wine and art, is alleged to have a dark, hidden aspect where abuse and control were rampant.

The legal complaint details how Burton and the organization maintained a power imbalance, using threats, isolation, and sleep deprivation to suppress dissent. The abuse was allegedly masked by “love bombing,” a tactic of overwhelming affection and praise to seduce and coerce. Despite Burton’s public denouncement of homosexuality, he purportedly justified his pursuit of male members by labeling them as “feminine angels in a man’s body.”

Shockingly, the lawsuit reveals events called “Lovefests,” where Burton aimed to have sexual encounters with up to 100 men in a day, resulting in numerous assaults. Allegations against Burton are not new, with prior internal complaints and law enforcement investigations, yet with little to no impact on his activities. The suit also notes the excommunication of Fellowship board members who dared to challenge Burton’s actions.

The plaintiffs, some part of a so-called “harem” known as “Burton’s Boys,” now suffer from lasting psychological effects, including PTSD, alcohol abuse, and difficulty in personal relationships. They seek not only legal redress but also a chance to share their traumatic experiences with a jury, highlighting the insidious nature of abuse under the guise of spiritual guidance.

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