Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 16:12 EDT
From: "Scott.Mikusko"

The following is a letter sent to the editor of Christianty Today regarding the Bob Larson controversy. In it are comments pertaining to CT's previous printing of a story that more or less defended Larson, even after World and Cornerstone magazines ran critical articles on BLM and Bob.

Mr. David Neff, Managing Editor
Christianity Today
465 Gunderson Dr.
Carol Stream, IL 60188

Re: "Bob on the Block"
Dear Mr. Neff:

I respectfully submit the following statement for publication in your magazine -- with the proviso that it be printed in its entirety, and afforded exposure similar to that of the aforementioned article. Moreover, it is not to be edited without my express written approval. Considering that CT "quoted" me without ever bothering to conduct an interview, I am certain that you will understand when I say that I am not overly impressed with the competence of your editorial staff.

As you have indicated that Mr. Morgan left you "with the impression that he had interviewed [me]," I will, for the moment, assume that he was acting on his own, and that you are indeed committed to reporting the facts (and saving CT's reputation). Hence, you should be willing to do whatever it takes to redeem yourselves, and I fully expect that you will afford me total and complete cooperation. But you ought not forget that I will be making this information widely available within the evangelical community; the eyes of Christendom are upon you.

Please be apprised that I will also send copies of this letter and the supporting documentation to the Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News, and 60 Minutes... not to mention Cornerstone and World magazines.

CHRISTIANITY TODAY. Founded by Billy Graham. Nurtured by the likes of Harold Lindsell and Carl Henry. For decades, the name was synonymous with journalistic integrity.

When I brought the Bob Larson story to CT in July of 1992, the evidence indicated three points of serious concern: Larson did not write "his" best-selling novel, Dead Air; he was getting an exorbitant compensation package from the Ministry, and he was grossly misrepresenting the Ministry's financial needs. Still, despite the fact that two Christian journalists checked my findings independently, Tim Morgan's article, "Bob on the Block," scarcely even alluded to them. Further more, Morgan steadfastly refused to interview anyone with information which would be construed as harmful to Larson. To say that Morgan performed a 'whitewash job' on Larson would be a colossal understatement. But did he do so of his own volition ... or was he _specifically_ ordered to write a pro-Larson piece? That is the question which CT must now answer.

Without question, the most glaring miscue in the CT article was its blithe dismissal of Lori Boespflug's claim to the authorship of "Larson's" best-selling novel, Dead Air. As World[1] and Cornerstone[2] magazines both duly noted, it was buttressed by a wealth of documentary evidence, including a letter from Larson's own attorney. What's more, Larson authenticated that letter himself... by claiming it was "stolen."[3] After all, if he HAD written Dead Air, that letter never should have been written in the first place, and thus, could not possibly have been stolen. Hence, by definition, Larson has to be lying about something, and any cub reporter with the intelligence of a common garden implement should have been able to recognize it. As such, it seems utterly inconceivable that a respected senior reporter like Morgan could have overlooked it. And even if, perchance, Morgan was unable to recognize that fact on his own, it was spelled out for him in graphic detail in my pamphlet, The Two Faces of Bob.[4]

Although I would have preferred not to mention it, there is a salacious aspect to this story which, in light of Larson's allegations of sexual improprieties on Boespflug's part, must come to light. While it is true that she was fired for living with a man, as the following excerpts from an "employment contract" signed by both her and Larson suggests, there was more to her dismissal than met the eye:

It is my understanding at this date, that to remain employed with Bob Larson Ministries that the following conditions be in effect:

1. My cellular car phone be returned to the organization, and I no longer retain sole usage. I also understand that any phonecalls made to 469-**** are to be reimbursed by me as personal calls, misusing organizational property.

5. All gifts and items of any merit or value [including, among other things, a diamond frog broach valued at $2,800 [5] that you have extended to me for any reason have been returned to you as of this date.

6. I will cease any outside friendship and/or contact with the man that installed my carpeting [whose number, incidentally, is listed in Paragraph 1 of said Agreement], due to the confidentiality and secure nature of my job should my position be re-instated [sic]."[6]

That document, in confluence with others which CT has had in its' possession for roughly nine months, exposes a multitude of Larson's sins. First, it is clear from Boespflug's stellar personnel reviews[7] and prodigious salary increases that Larson was ecstatic with her job performance. Second, the 'business reason' given in the contract for the need for her to break off the relationship is facially ludicrous. There is thus only one plausible explanation for those peculiar provisions: Larson was hopelessly infatuated with her ... and insanely jealous, to boot.

According to Boespflug, Larson continued to insinuate himself into her life ... writing passionate love sonnets, and calling her at all hours to make certain that she wasn't seeing anyone else. He tailed her to various and sundry locations, and even tracked her down at her daughter's dance recital. There, he fired her -- in full public view -- on a Saturday night. He called her a slut, a whore, and otherwise totally humiliated her.[8]

Even though I originally brought the story to CT, I was not treated with any more courtesy. In fact, when I heard that CT was to interview Larson, I called managing editor David Neff, asking to be inter viewed.[9] Shortly thereafter, I sent a letter to Neff, insisting to have such an opportunity.[10] Still, my polite requests and veiled threats fell on deaf ears -- as did those of Christian talk-show host John Stewart,[11] who is known for, among other accomplishments, his role in the expose of Jim Bakker. It is difficult to imagine how any objective reporter could even begin to be so obtuse.

The defamatory assault that Morgan perpetrated on my character was more subtle than that on Ms. Boespflug, but it was effective. You will note that unlike other individuals mentioned in the article, CT neglected to list my credentials: I am a certified public accountant, with some eight years' experience and a master's degree in taxation, and thus am well qualified to render an opinion as to Larson's finan cial situation. But by calling me a "Denver-area resident [who has] made it his avocation to distribute material critical of Larson,"[12] Morgan makes it appear as though I am an ignorant stevedore with some kind of mindless vendetta against him.

To correct CT's litany of blatant misrepresentations would require more space than their editorial staff has the courage to grant. But suffice it to say that while Larson did not receive a salary from his ministry during the early 1980's, the evidence suggests strongly that he was quite well-compensated for his time. For instance, he bought the building the Ministry currently occupies from one David Kramer on October 2, 1985 for $1,415,000,[13] and, on December 31, 1986, he sold it to the Ministry for $1,800,000.[14] In less than 15 months, Larson earned a tidy profit of $385,000 ... quite astounding, given the fact that the Denver real estate market was in a general downturn[15] during that period. This is "public information": something that any competent investigative journalist should have been able to find, had he been put on notice of its possible existence. And I put CT on notice myself. By the same token, the evidence is painfully clear that Bob's "one-time, Publications -- rewarding Larson's dishonesty with a contract for the sequel to Dead Air. It is about Christian radio station owners, like KLTT's Jack Mortenson, who censored the anti-Larson editorial written by _Denver Christian News_ editor Joann Bruso.[19] And now, it is about respected Christian voices like CT and the _Evangelical Press_ -- which evidently have become willing complicitors in a scheme to sweep Larson's malfeasance under the proverbial rug. They have exchanged the truth for a lie ... and a couple of dollars' change.

I do expect that you will take further measures appropriate to rectify this unfortunate situation -- including, but not limited to, the immediate and unconditional dismissal of Morgan, a profuse and public apology to both Ms. Boespflug and myself, and the prompt publication of a feature article concerning the Larson affair. Please be further advised that, should this dispute fail to be resolved to my satisfaction, I fully intend to vigorously pursue any and all legal remedies at my disposal.

Sincerely yours,

Kenneth L. Smith
P.O. Box 280305
Lakewood, CO 80228

Endnotes, enclosures; cc's listed in the endnote page

ENDNOTES:

1 Jay Grelen and Doug LeBlanc, This is Me, This is Real," World, Vol. 7, No. 32, 23 Jan. 1993, p. 9.

2 Jon Trott, "Bob Larson's Ministry Comes Under Scrutiny," Cornerstone, Vol. 21, Issue 100, Feb. 1993, p. 41.

3 Bob Larson, Radio broadcast, 29 Jan 1993. Tape on file.

4 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

5 Lori Boespflug, Interview, 16 Jun 1992; supporting document on file; indepen dent witness available.

6 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

7 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

8 Lori Boespflug, Telephone interview, 13/14 Jun 1992.

9 Phone records on file.

10 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

11 John Stewart, Telephone conversation, 17 May 1993.

12 Tim Morgan, "Bob on the Block," CT, 17 May 1993, p. 41.

13 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

14 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

15 Basil Katsakos (certified appraiser), Telephone interview, 17 May 1993.

16 Morgan, ibid., p. 42 (allegedly quoting Ken Smith).

17 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

18 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

19 Joann Bruso, Telephone conversation, 29 Jan 1993; confirmed by KLTT station manager Brian Taylor in a later conversation, and evidenced by an out-of-place reference to 1Tim. 5:20 in the DCN's March editorial page.

Global note: Ms. Bosepflug has requested that I not use her married name, on the ground that she fears continued harassment from Mr. Larson.

cc: John Stewart, Lori Boespflug, Jim Dobson, Hank Hanegraaff, Harold Lindsell, Harold Myra, Doug Trauten, others as listed.

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