The financial empire of the Agape Ministries doomsday cult will be carved up by the Australian Taxation Office following a $3 million AUS court judgment.

Sean Fewster, court reporter at The Advertiser, reports

This morning, the District Court ordered the controversial group and its fugitive founder, Rocco Leo, settle their debts with the Australian Taxation Office.

For two years, the ATO has pursued Agape, Leo and his confidante, Joe Veneziano, for amounts left unpaid since 2009.

It stripped Agape of its tax-exempt status as a religion and froze its assets - eight properties, 13 vehicles and 10 bank accounts in SA and Victoria.

Auditors sought $4.1 million, claiming Leo had "juggled" a further $5.6 million between his accounts in a "very crude attempt to hide money".

Previously, the court has heard Leo and his inner circle of followers are in Fiji. [...]

Today, Stephen Lynton, for the ATO, said the nature of the case had changed.

He told the court new calculations had found Leo owed $2.4 million, Veneziano owed $1.1 million while Agape Ministries' debt was just $17,952.20.

Sam Doyle, for the defendants, said his clients would not oppose any order they pay those amounts.

Doomsday Cult

Rocco Leo fled to Fiji in May 2010, just before police raided his Agape Ministries properties where they discovered thousands of rounds of ammunition and guns.

Former followers claim Leo preached a doomsday scenario, promising them a new life on an island in Vanuatu to save them from the end of the world.

Police say followers have sold properties and provided the money to help fund the plan.

Leo was arrested in Fiji in June last year, along with his closest associates Mari Antoinette Veneziano and her brother Joseph, for visa breaches.

In July that year South Australian authorities said they will not pursue Leo over 126 fraud allegations after a review determined there were no reasonable prospects of a conviction.

At the time Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras said the case involved about 30 witnesses, but that investigations been hindered by a reluctance of former Agape Ministries members to speak out against Leo.

Pallaras said the authorities "were dealing with people in a religious sect who may not have as their highest priority assisting police."

But Pallaras said prosecutors would consider any fresh evidence that became available.

Lawsuits

Last June Leo a profoundly disabled woman won her $500,000 lawsuit against Leo by default.

Ms. Silvia Melchiorre claimed Leo duped her into handing over the $420,000 in return for promises he would heal her and save her from global armageddon.

In March Leo settled a lawsuit with another former member who sued him over donations to the doomsday cult.

Court documents in the lawsuit filed by businessman Martin Penney allege Leo convinced him he would be poisoned and killed by the government unless he handed over $1.2 million.

Leo told members of Agape Ministries the earth's population would soon be impregnated with tiny microchips that would hold their personal information.

Those who refused the chip would be branded terrorists and gassed or beheaded in government-run concentration camps.

Note: Financial amounts reported in Australian dollars. At the time of this report: 1.00 AUD = 1.05570 USD

Full story: Doomsday cult ordered to pay millions to taxman

A profoundly disabled woman has won her $500,000 lawsuit against fugitive cultist Rocco Leo - by default.

Australian newspaper The Advertiser reports

The District Court this morning ordered Silvia Melchiorre's life savings be repaid out of the assets of Leo and his Agape Ministries organisation.

Costs and interest on the damages are yet to be determined but are, the court heard, likely to exceed $114,000.

Ms Melchiorre claimed Leo duped her into handing over the $420,000 in return for promises he would heal her and save her from global armageddon.

A trial on her claim was due to start today and expected to run into next week.

However, Judge David Lovell entered a default judgment on Ms Melchiorre's behalf because Leo did not attend court - and nor did any lawyers acting on his behalf.

Last week, The Advertiser revealed Leo's previous solicitors had withdrawn from the case because he had failed to respond to their e-mails.

Rocco Leo, founder of Agape Ministries, and two of his senior members fled to Fiji shortly before police raided 13 properties associated with the cult, uncovering a cache of weapons and ammunition.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation says

The woman claimed she was brainwashed into giving to Leo's group, Agape Ministries, on a false promise she would be healed.

The court was told she sold her house and donated the proceeds to Agape.

All Australian-based assets of the church have previously been frozen and the court has heard the defendants have considerable wealth that could be used to repay Ms Melchiorre.

Three weeks ago, Leo — who is in Fiji — settled an $800,000 dispute with another former follower.

He is still battling the Australian Taxation Office over a $4.1 million debt and is wanted on assault charges.

Full story: Doomsday cult leader Rocco Leo order to pay disabled woman $500,000

Lawyers defending fugitive cult leader Rocco Leo against a $420,000 lawsuit have withdrawn from the case.

Australia's The Advertiser reports that Leo

subsequently made an 11th-hour, closed-court bid to derail the start of the case, which has already cost former parishioner Silvia Melchiorre $40,000 in court costs.

Transcripts show the District Court was unimpressed, ordering that the trial proceed, regardless of whether Leo found new counsel or appeared in court personally. [...]

Ms Melchiorre, a stroke victim, is suing Leo over donations made while a member of his controversial Agape Ministries.

She claims he falsely promised to take her to a South Pacific island where she would be healed and protected from global armageddon.

Three weeks ago, Leo - who is in Fiji - settled an $800,000 dispute with another former follower.

He is still battling the Australian Taxation Office over a $4.1 million debt and is wanted on assault charges.

Court transcripts show that, on Tuesday, Leo's lawyers were permitted to withdraw from the Melchiorre case because he had "not replied to a series" of emails seeking his  instructions.

Rocco Leo fled to Fiji in May 2010, just before police raided his Agape Ministries properties where they discovered thousands of rounds of ammunition and guns.

Doomsday Scenario

Former followers claim Leo preached a doomsday scenario, allegedly telling them the earth's population would soon be impregnated with tiny microchips that would hold their personal information.

Those who refused the chip would be branded terrorists and gassed or beheaded in government-run concentration camps.

They say Leo promised them aan new life on an island in Vuatu to save them from the end of the world.

Police say several followers have sold properties and provided the money to help fund the plan.

Ms. Melchiorre was left in a wheelchair after suffering a series of strokes caused by a brain tumour, leaving her with a "restricted capacity to read and communicate".

According to her lawsuit the cult leader manipulated the woman into handing over her life savings by convincing her of the doomsday scenario. She was told she would die a horrible death if she did not manage to escape Australia.

Court documents allege Leo told the woman her only other option was to accompany him an fellow Agape Ministries members to their South Pacific island, where she would be healed.

"The healing waters of The Island would cure the plaintiff and would be able to walk again," her lawsuit says.

Ms. Melchiorre is suing for $500,000, including the $420,000 she handed over after selling her house, lost rental income, costs and damages.

The Australian Taxation Office is pursuing Leo and his associates for $4.1 million after it stripped Agape Ministries of its tax-exempt legal status as a religion.

[Financial amounts reflect Australian dollars. Convert to US dollars / other currencies]

Research resources on Agape Ministries

Full story: Lawyers abandon doomsday cult leader Rocco Leo

Religion News Blog -- Lawyers for Agape Ministries cult leader Rocco Leo and former follower Martin Penney have told a Court they would withdraw their lawsuits against each other.

Sean Fewster says in The Advertiser

Mr Penney had claimed that, while a member of Agape, he spent $250,000 of his own money on "daily incidentals" for the cult, including toilet paper.

He further asserted he bought the cult a $42,000 Ford Fairlane and donated $217,000 in cash during his time as a member.

In all, Mr Penney claimed Leo's stories of poisoned microchips, government beheadings and South Pacific island refuges duped him into parting with $876,000.

The settlement was first reported last March, but has now been finalized.

Court documents in the lawsuit filed by businessman Martin Penney allege Leo convinced him he would be poisoned and killed by the government unless he handed over $1.2 million.

Rocco Leo fled to Fiji in May 2010, just before police raided his Agape Ministries properties where they discovered thousands of rounds of ammunition and guns.

Penney sued Leo for $1.2 million, plus damages, costs and interest. In settlement talks he later reduced his claim to $866,000.

ROCCO LEO's LEGAL WOES NOT OVER
Leo's legal woes are far from over, though.

The Australian Taxation Office is pursuing Leo and his associates for $4.1 million after it stripped Agape Ministries of its tax-exempt legal status as a religion.

In June a court will hear the lawsuit of Silvia Melchiorre against Leo and Joe and Marie Antoinette Veneziano.

Meanwhile, an arrest warrant for Leo remains active over assault charges dating back to April 2010, when he allegedly attacked the estranged husband of one of his followers.

In July 2011 South Australian authorities said they will not pursue Leo over the 126 fraud allegations with no reasonable prospects of a conviction.

However, Independent SA Senator Nick Xenophon, who has taken a marked interest in cult-related issues, renewed his call for an independent review of the case.

[Financial amounts reflect Australian dollars. Convert to US dollars / other currencies]

Research resources on Agape Ministries

Full story: Fugitive cult leader and former cult member settle lawsuit

Religion News Blog -- Fugitive cult leader Rocco Leo has settled a lawsuit with a former member who sued him over donations to the doomsday cult.

Court documents in the lawsuit filed by businessman Martin Penney allege Leo convinced him he would be poisoned and killed by the government unless he handed over $1.2 million.

Leo told members of Agape Ministries the earth's population would soon be impregnated with tiny microchips that would hold their personal information.

Those who refused the chip would be branded terrorists and gassed or beheaded in government-run concentration camps.

Penney alleged Leo warned that those people who chose to be micro-chipped would also die from slow-release poison hidden within the devices.

All in all he handed over $820,000 in cash, as well as $132,000 in equipment -- including a $42,000 Ford Fairlane -- and $250,000 in free labor.

The businessman sued Leo for $1.2 million, plus damages, costs and interest. In settlement talks he later reduced his claim to $866,000.

Lawyers today told Adelaide District Court that the two men have settled their claim under a confidential agreement.

DOOMSDAY CULT

Rocco Leo fled to Fiji in May 2010, just before police raided his Agape Ministries properties where they discovered thousands of rounds of ammunition and guns.

Former followers claim Leo preached a doomsday scenario, promising them a new life on an island in Vanuatu to save them from the end of the world.

Police say followers have sold properties and provided the money to help fund the plan.

Leo was arrested in Fiji in June last year, along with his closest associates Mari Antoinette Veneziano and her brother Joseph, for visa breaches.

In July that year South Australian authorities said they will not pursue Leo over 126 fraud allegations after a review determined there were no reasonable prospects of a conviction.

At the time Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras said the case involved about 30 witnesses, but that investigations been hindered by a reluctance of former Agape Ministries members to speak out against Leo.

Pallaras said the authorities "were dealing with people in a religious sect who may not have as their highest priority assisting police."

But Pallaras said prosecutors would consider any fresh evidence that became available.

LEGAL WOES

Leo's legal woes are far from over, though.

The Australian Taxation Office is pursuing Leo and his associates for $4.1 million after it striped Agape Ministries of its tax-exempt legal status as a religion.

In June a court will hear the lawsuit of Silvia Melchiorre against Leo and Joe and Marie Antoinette Veneziano.

Ms. Melchiorre was left in a wheelchair after suffering a series of strokes caused by a brain tumour, leaving her with a "restricted capacity to read and communicate".

According to her lawsuit the cult leader manipulated the woman into handing over her life savings by convincing her of the doomsday scenario. She was told she would die a horrible death if she did not manage to escape Australia.

Court documents allege Leo told the woman her only other option was to accompany him an fellow Agape Ministries members to their South Pacific island, where she would be healed.

"The healing waters of The Island would cure the plaintiff and would be able to walk again," her lawsuit says.

Ms. Melchiorre is suing for $500,000, including the $420,000 she handed over after selling her house, lost rental income, costs and damages.

Meanwhile, a arrest warrant for Leo remains active over assault charges dating back to April 2010, when he allegedly attacked the estranged husband of one of his followers.

[Financial amounts reflect Australian dollars. Convert to US dollars / other currencies]

Full story: Former doomsday cult member settles lawsuit against fugitive cult leader

A disgruntled former Agape Ministries parishioner wants a refund for every item he bought for the cult, even the toilet paper.

Court reporter Sean Fewster says in The Advertiser that

The District Court yesterday heard details of Martin Penney's claim against the doomsday cult and its fugitive leader, Rocco Leo.

The Adelaide businessman - who accompanied Leo to the Philippines in 2007 - claims he spent $250,000 of his own money on "daily incidentals" for the cult, including toilet paper.

He further asserts he bought the cult a $42,000 Ford Fairlane and donated $217,000 in cash during his time as a member.

In all, Mr Penney claims Leo's stories of poisoned microchips, government beheadings and South Pacific island refuges duped him into parting with $876,000.

Mr Penney's claim is one of several court actions lodged against Agape and Leo.

Former follower Sylvia Melchiorre is seeking $420,000, while the Australian Taxation Office wants $4.1 million after stripping the cult of its tax-exempt status as a religion.

In May 2010 Australian police raided Agape Ministries property, seizing 15 illegal firearms, extendable batons and numerous rounds of ammunition.

Former members and opponents of Agape Ministries say it is a cult led by Pastor Rocco "Brother Roc" Leo.

They claim Leo has defrauded millions from his followers, who believe life on Earth will end after microchips are implanted into everyone by the end of 2012.

Full story: Agape cult owes me for toilet rolls

A lawsuit by a disabled woman against fugitive Australian cult leader Rocco Leo has not been settled and will go to trial.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports

Former Agape Ministries member Silvana Melchiorre is suing Leo for $420,000 she claimed she was brainwashed into giving the church.

Leo and two of his associates are being detained in Fiji and are wanted in South Australia on arrest warrants.

Leo's former followers claim he preached a doomsday scenario and promised them a new life on an island in Vanuatu to save them from the end of the world. Police say followers have sold properties and provided the money to help fund the plan.

The cult leader fled to Fiji in May 2010, just before police raided his Agape Ministries properties. During the raid police discovered thousands of rounds of ammunition and guns.

More about Rocco Leo and Agape Ministries
What is brainwashing?

Full story: Brainwashing case against cult leader Rocco Leo set for trial

Cult leader Rocco Leo will seek an out-of-court settlement with a former parishioner he allegedly duped, a court has heard.

AdelaideNow reports

Lawyers for another former Agape Ministries parishioner, meanwhile, have dropped the value of their lawsuit by more than $300,000.

Leo, who is in Fiji, and his inner circle are being sued by Sylvia Melchiorre and Martin Penney.

In court documents previously filed with the District Court, they alleged they were duped into handing over $420,000 and $1.2 million respectively.

They claimed Leo said Earth's population would be impregnated with tiny microchips containing their personal information.

They further asserted Leo said anyone who refused the chip would be branded terrorists and be gassed or beheaded in government-run concentration camps.

Mr Penney alleged Leo warned that those people who chose to be micro-chipped would also die from slow-release poison hidden within the devices.

Ms Melchiorre claimed Leo promised to keep her safe on "The Island", a South Pacific location where he would also heal her.

Leo's lawyer Tom Duggan said he was in settlement negotiations with Ms Melchiorre.

According to The Australian

Mr Penney is continuing his suit but has reduced his claim from $1.2 million to about $866,000.

Mr Penney's lawyer, Richard Armour, said his client wanted back $517,193 he donated to the organisation, $132,000 he gave for plant and equipment, and $217,000 he gave in trust to Mr Leo for a cancer-stricken parishioner.

"My client wanted to help them (the cancer sufferer's family) by making gifts to them to help them through their crisis," he said.

Mr Armour said Leo never passed the money onto the family.

Cult leader Leo was arrested in Fiji last June, along with his closest associates Mari Antoinette Veneziano and her brother Joseph, for visa breaches.

Veneziano and her brother are also defendants in the civil claim.

Followers claim Leo preached a doomsday scenario and promised them a new life on an island in Vanuatu to save them from the end of the world. Police say followers have sold properties and provided the money to help fund the plan.

In addition to the civil suits Leo is also being pursued by the Australian Taxation Office for $4 million in unpaid taxes.

In November last year Agape Ministries was stripped of its legal status as a religion, losing its tax exemption.

Leo fled to Fiji in May 2010, just before police raided his Agape Ministries properties. During the raid police discovered thousands of rounds of ammunition and guns.

In July South Australian authorities said they will not pursue Leo over the 126 fraud allegations with no reasonable prospects of a conviction.

However, Independent SA Senator Nick Xenophon, who has taken a marked interest in cult-related issues, renewed his call for an independent review of the case.

Full story: Cult leader Rocco Leo will seek settlement with ex-follower

Fugitive doomsday cult leader Rocco Leo is being detained with his girlfriend at his coastal hideout in Fiji, Australia's Sunday Mail reports:

The Fijian Government confirmed to the Sunday Mail the charismatic former Agape Ministries preacher was seeking a visa to live in Fiji as efforts to bring him back to Australia faltered.

Mr Leo fled Adelaide more than 12 months ago before police were able to question him over his financial affairs and a cache of weapons found on several properties belonging to Agape.

Criminal charges against him relating to 126 counts of fraud were withdrawn by police on Wednesday because of a lack of evidence.

However, District Court civil action relating to allegations he duped $1.62 million from two former followers and owed the Australian Tax Office $1.75 million are pending.

Fijian Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said an Immigration Department investigation was under way as Mr Leo, his girlfriend, Mari Antoinette Veneziano, and her brother, Joseph, had been arrested for overstaying their visas.

In an editorial published at the end of last month, The Advertiser said:

The decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras, QC, not to pursue fraud charges against fugitive cult leader Rocco Leo is bewildering.

It appears Mr Pallaras and senior South Australian police have become more focused on blaming each other rather than concentrating on the real issue - how to bring Leo to trial, regardless of the result.

While there may be legitimate arguments behind the decision not to charge Leo with alleged fraud, the discovery of thousands of rounds of ammunition and guns at properties linked to his Agape Ministries organisation remains frightening - particularly in light of the horrific massacre in Norway.

Meanwhile the Sunday Mail reports that Independent SA Senator Nick Xenophon, who has taken a marked interest in cult-related issues, renewed his call for an independent review of the case.

Full story: Fujitive cult leader Rocco Leo detained in luxury resort in Fiji

South Australian authorities will not pursue doomsday cult leader Rocco Leo over 126 fraud allegations.

Adelaide Now reports:

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras said today a review of the evidence against the Agape Ministries leader had determined there were no reasonable prospects of a conviction.

"Consequently we can give no assurance that we would prosecute Mr Leo on these matters should he be the subject of a successful extradition application," Mr Pallaras told reporters.

"On the material we have been provided with, our considered opinion and it has been a considered opinion, is there are no reasonable prospects of a conviction."

Leo is currently being held in Fiji on immigration related matters after fleeing Australia late last year, just before police raided several of the cult's properties in Adelaide seizing guns, slow-burning fuses, detonators, extendable batons and 35,000 rounds of ammunition.

They later moved to issue a warrant for his arrest alleging 126 counts of fraud relating to one victim.

Mr Pallaras said the decision not to prosecute Leo was in no way a criticism of police who were dealing with a complex case involving about 30 witnesses including some people who were not overly cooperative.

"They are dealing with people in a religious sect who may not have as their highest priority assisting police," he said.

"They were working under difficult circumstances."

But Mr Pallaras said prosecutors would consider any fresh evidence that became available.

Elsewhere the Adelaide Now says:

The announcement means Leo is not facing any charges in Australia, besides an assault matter, and would be a free man if he were deported or came back to South Australia of his own free will.

Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens said the "complex" investigation, which led to more than 100 charges of fraud being laid against Leo, had been hindered by a reluctance of former members of the Agape Ministries to speak out against their former leader.

According to the paper, Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras has defended the handling of the Rocco Leo saga, saying there is "no chance" of convicting him of fraud charges on the current evidence against him.

Adelaide Now also notes that Leo wants to retrieve assets that were frozen after he fled Australia.

Former parishioners Martin Penney and Silvia Melchiorre are suing the Agape Ministries leader for more than $1.5 million in total. [...]

[L]awyers for Mr Penney and Ms Melchiorre said no further claims would be lodged by them.

Mr Penney and Ms Melchiorre claim they were duped into giving Agape $1.2 million and $420,000 respectively.

Master Mark Rice ordered ``further and better particulars'' be filed by both plaintiffs prior to the next hearing in September.

Full story: Doomsday cult leader Rocco Leo will not be pursued over fraud allegations