I've been told that the cult was spotted at the Kobey Swap Meet here, with their "See A Thought" signs, e-meters, and books for sale.

Raul Lopez was suckered into the cult at just such a swap meet booth.

For those of you who don't know, Raul Lopez was in a head-on collision in 1985, and suffered permanent brain damage as a result, leaving him unable to care for himself. He received a $2.5 million dollar settlement.

The clams assured him that he could be cured of his disabilities through Dianetics and Scientology, so he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on courses and materials. Worse, he was approached by several Scientology scam artists who talked him into investing in various projects to the tune of hundreds of thousands more! All totalled, he was bilked out of $700,000 to $1,000,000 during his association with Scientology and Scientologists. Available information indicates that he is now in litigation with the "church" and individuals to try to recover some of his money.

I think the Kobey management needs to be made aware of this. A check of their bylaws suggests that, if they knew what they were allowing into the swap meet, they may be opposed to it. Below are the relevent rules:

13. Seller may not bring to, store on, or sell, trade, or transfer at, the Premises or the Swap Meet, any gasoline, petroleum, explosives, guns, ammunition, stun guns, cross-bows, mace, mace-like products, pepper spray, martial art weaponry, fireworks, drug paraphernalia or, pornographic or counterfeit merchandise, or other dangerous or obviously harmful items.

Seller shall hold Kobey's harmless from any violation of the foregoing. No persons, except officers of the law, or licensed and on-duty security guards, may wear or possess firearms on the Premises.

22. Kobey's reserves the right to reasonably: (a) refuse service and/or admission to anyone; (b) prohibit certain items from being exchanged, swapped or sold including, without limitation, printed materials, photographs, books, magazines, and audio and/or video tapes, in order to maintain a proper moral and wholesome environment in conjunction with Kobey's Swap Meet's family atmosphere; (c) inspect all items offered for sale and to determine whether such items can be displayed or offered for sale; (d) relocate Seller within the Swap Meet; (e) deny Seller further selling privileges if complaints from shoppers and/or other sellers are received regarding Seller and/or Seller's Employees, including without limitation, complaints regarding Seller's refund policy; (f) provide shoppers or governmental agencies with information regarding Seller; (g) deny any motor vehicle's entry into the Swap Meet whose driver does not possess a valid driver's license, proof of that motor vehicle's insurance and/or valid registration; (h) require Seller to dismantle Seller's canopy; or (i) obtain from Seller information required of Kobey's by any governmental agency.

Kobey's reservation of these rights is without any liability whatsoever to Seller or Seller's Employees.

23. Kobey's reserves the right to formulate additional rules and regulations, and each Seller shall abide by such additional rules and regulations.

Kimberly Kobey-Pretto, who ran the day-to-day operations of the business before Kobey became ill and took over even more responsibilities when her father's health declined, is now President of The Kobey Corporation.

Under Kim's management, which in 1995 exceeded her illustrious father's tenure, the swap meet has attracted record numbers of shoppers and sellers...and has solidified its reputation as a clean, family-style operation.

In recognition of Kim's achievements, the U.S.-Mexico Foundation named her Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992.

In addition to her leadership of the family business, Kim is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including Partnerships in Education and the Young Presidents Organization. A sponsor of the American Cancer Society and the Crime Victim's Fund, she also works on behalf of the Monte Kobey AIDS Fellowship.

Additionally, Kim's husband, Charles Pretto, is corporate counsel and business development manager. Kara Kobey, Monte's eldest daughter, is involved with a variety of civic projects benefiting the San Diego community, such as work with The American Cancer Society.

Kobey's widow, Charlotte, is a member of the corporation's board of directors, and has chaired the Monte Kobey AIDS Fellowship Endowment Committee, which raises funds for AIDS research and treatment at UCSD Medical Center's Owen Clinic.

You all know what to emphasize in your complaints. I intend to make up a packet containing the Time magazine article, information on the potentially damaging Purif Rundown, and the Lopez court papers.

The office mailing address is: 3350 Sports Arena Blvd., Suite K, San Diego CA 92110-4531.

Thank you! Now sic 'em, boyz n' grrlz!

-- barb "Car salesmen are after your money, Christians are after your soul, but the Church of Scientology wants both."

--Hartley Patterson "Every week, every month, every year, every decade and now every century, Scientology does weird and stupid things to damage its own reputation." - Steve Zadarnowski http://www.xenu.net
http://www.xenutv.com (see live Scientologists in their natural state!)

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