Documents. They are the stuff of history (unless you happen to be Ollie North... then, they ARE history). They brought us Whitewater and Dead Air. And like his political soul-mate, the man wearing the clerical 'Clinton collar' (Bob Larson) is doing his best to forestall a coming catastrophe.
Behind almost every miscreant minister, there's a woman: Jim Bakker had Jessica Hahn, Jimmy Swaggart had a procession of prostitutes, and Robert Tilton might have had Candice Caminati.1 David Hocking's fate was sealed with a kiss. And Bob Larson had his "harem." Still, it's not so much what 'Bobby's Angels' did between the sheets that got him into trouble, but rather, what they did on the sheets.
The "Underground" Railroad...
Dead Air was born in an unlikely place: a football game. God spoke to Bob (or, so the story goes) through His faithful servant, William T. Abbott, who pointed out that novels are more profitable than works of non-fiction. Bob took that divine advice, and immediately went to work on a plot sketch. Bob's original story was a trial concerning a Satanic crime, but Abbott, aware that Bob didn't know the first thing about the law, reportedly suggested that he would be better off writing about a talk-show host rescuing a child from a Satanic cult. And he was right.
As far as can be ascertained, Bob made at least a nominal effort to write what we now know as Dead Air. But he couldn't make enough time to mount a credible effort, and editors tend to insist upon that. As this internal Ministry memo suggests, his own in-house editor, Muriel Olson, did what she could to salvage it (then titled, "Underground"):
DATE: 4-2-90If the following memo -- dictated in his car -- is a clear indication of Bob Larson's writing skills, Olson didn't have a lot to work with:
TO: Bob
FROM: Muriel
SUBJECT: UNDERGROUND DRAFTS
1. I understand and share your concern about taking too much Larson flavor out and injecting too much Olson into the Underground drafts. It's not a rare problem under these writing conditions, but I wanted to give you my best creative work, too. You accepted what I did with the first chapters and told me to run with it -- so I have. If I don't give you a descriptive phrase or elaborate on some scenes, you won't have the opportunity of accepting or rejecting, so I write as it comes to me.Just know that I'm sensitive to keeping your flavor and language, but don't know how to add creatively to the condensed dictated version without giving you what comes through my rewriting process. I'd rather give you too much than not enough. [emphasis added]" [2]It would be hard -- probably impossible -- to tell you about all the changes, since they're interwoven throughout what you give me in dictation. You asked me to advise you about dramatic changes, but I'm sticking to your plot and just condensing, embellishing phrases or situations as you present them. Example is throwing in the bit about snakes in the exposed cellar -- which just enhances the scenario you're giving the reader. I'm not making changes, not adding plot; I'm filling out scenes and descriptive language, and I see no way to give you less.
2. I try to appeal to the five senses often and noticed on UNDFT5-2 that you had eliminated 'red or grey' barns and 'black and white' dairy cattle. Unless there is good reason to take out this stuff that appeals to the reader's sense of sight, such color might be better left in. In that particular paragraph, two of the four references to color have been deleted, and I don't think anything was gained by doing so. Your opinion?
3. UNDFT5-2 -- In the second paragraph, the last sentence was deleted. I wrote that to build suspense about the wolf and bear shapes in the Mounds. Did I miss my target or was the reference too obtuse? Just curious.
4. I get a total of 62 pages (double-spaced) for manuscript as of today, including Chapter Six as dictated.
5. On page 5 of Chapter Six, you dictated that Sheriff Hancock had been voted in 'last year.' On last page of this chapter, Sheriff Hancock states that he has been in office for 35 years. Will he be a newly elected sheriff or an old-timer?
"UNDERGROUND -- Dictated in car by BL 3-12-90Needless to say, Olson wrote almost as much on that draft as Larson dictated. It is a great feeling to see your book in print, but writing fiction is hard work. And Bob had better things to do.The Columbus County library was one of those old Andrew Car negie type, the kind that philanthropists built in Smalltown, America at the turn of the century -- red brick, unimaginative architecture, erected on the most prominent plot in town, signaling that knowledge should be the center of the community. It was many years since Wes Bryant had entered its weather beaten wooden doors. He remembered it as a kid spending Saturday afternoons pouring over children's books. That was before the advent of television, when adventure on the pages of imaginative children's novels was replaced by the dissociate experience of watching cartoon characters dispassionately. Wes wasn't what you'd call a reader, unless you count the sporting news and an occasional Life magazine. But this visit to the Columbus County library had more in mind than the attainment of literary wisdom.
As Wes stepped inside, he marveled how little things had changed: groove and tongue slat-board floors, high ceilings supporting symetrically placed ceiling fans that sweeped occasionally, piercing the silence like an owl's shriek in a still forest, the musty smell of old wood mingled with even older books.
'May I help you?'
The librarian looked the part, stern, bespectacled, not the kind of person you'd invite to an uproarious party. She tilted her head down slightly to peer through the top half of her bifocals, assuming the role of gendarme of Columbus County's sacred volumes of literature.
'Could you please direct me to the section where I might find some books on local history?' Wes asked. [all sic]" [3]
Enter Lori Boespflug. Lori signed on as Bob's secretary -- and was promoted to Vice-President of Creative Services in a mere two years. Like Olson, her primary job was to write books for Bob. And perhaps, as the following letter indicates, she did that job too well:
"July 8, 1991This letter was excerpted in World's January, 1993 exposE of Larson,[5] and printed in its entirety in Cornerstone's February, 1993 follow-up. [6] When Abbott was confronted with this letter, he merely expressed surprise: "How in the fuck did you get that?" [7] But when Bob Larson was asked about the "Abbott letter" by a Talk-Back caller, he did his best Bill Clinton imitation:Mr. Bob Larson
Bob Larson Ministries
P.O. Box 36480
Denver, CO 80236Dear Bob,
With the passing of each day, I become more and more concerned about your potential liability to Lori in connection with Dead Air and its sequels.
The time table is immediate. You will soon know if Dead Air is to be a publishing success and, quite possible, if theatrical rights are to be optioned. Assuming success, and knowing the role Lori has played, it would amaze me if she is not sufficiently astute to use this opportunity to both secure her financial future and to launch her own literary career. More specifically, she will demand recognition and/or profit participation in connection with sequels and possibly Dear Air [sic] itself. I know how I would advise her in this regard, and it is unrealistic to think that my insights are unique. Her delay in contacting me, of course, increases my concern.
What should you be doing now to anticipate her? I will first address a legalistic solution which I know is doomed - allowing her to write sequels but contractually establishing that they are works for hire. Even if she agreed to this and signed a confidentiality agreement, her liability for breach could never equal the value of public recognition of her authorship. Even beyond that financial consideration, her ego, like that of most creative people, could not be satisfied with anonymity after the risk of Dead Air's failure had passed.
Instead, I believe that you have two more realistic choices. First truly and simply use Lori as a researcher and document that as her role. You will be required to write more, but after all, it is you who will enjoy the benefits. Second, if you want Lori to write, give her credit, (ideally under a pen name because of past gossip) and a negotiated percentage of profits, but not copyright ownership, in any sequels. This is not an unusual solution and has the benefit of obviating any question of who wrote how much of either Dead Air or the sequel. Also under such an arrangement, where her profits are tied to yours, she has no interest in embarrassing you regard ing the authorship of Dead Air.
Please call me regarding this matter at your convenience.
Sincerely, /s/ Bill William T. Abbott"4
"What they [Cornerstone] printed was plain and simple: An attorney, that represented this ministry a couple of years ago, became concerned about an employee who might try to assert unreasonable rights, claiming contributions to the book that were lies, and he was warning me in advance about that. In fact, that very employee was fired for immoral reasons [sic], turned around and did make the allegations I was warned about in that idiotic letter that was a stolen document of confidential private information between attorney-client privilege [sic], had to do with an attempt by this very individual, and all the attorney was trying to do was warn me that that might happen. That's all!" [8]Getting an honest answer out of Bob Larson with respect to Dead Air is almost as difficult as getting one from President Clinton concern ing Whitewater. Yet, in the courtroom, where flagrant dishonesty is frowned upon, Bob sang quite a different tune:
"12. In the World Magazine article, the authors quoted a confidential letter sent to BLM by one of its attorneys. Upon information and belief, the letter was given to the authors by Defendant....In bringing his lawsuit against Boespflug, Bob Larson was forced to admit that the Abbott letter was both authentic and unaltered. As an added bonus, by authenticating the contract excerpted below, Bob confessed to the fact that Boespflug wrote the early drafts of Abaddon:16. In the Cornerstone article paragraphs from the April 7, 1992 agreement between Larson and Defendant were quoted verbatim. The authors stated, 'She (Boespflug) provided us with a copy of her agreement dated April 7, 1992.'
17. The Cornerstone article also quoted verbatim the same confidential letter sent to BLM by one of its attorneys that was quoted in World Magazine. Upon information and belief, the letter was given to the Cornerstone authors by Defendant.
18. Defendant disclosed business information and proprietary information pertaining to BLM and Larson to the authors of the Cornerstone article. [emphasis mine]" [9]
"You hereby agree to provide me on or before May 1, 1992 an outline of the first two hundred pages of the sequel; and on or before July 1, 1992, an outline of the remaining 200 pages of the sequel. If so requested by me, said outlines shall contain or be accompanied by character sketches, narratives, fact research and sample dialogue...." [10]The plot, characters, and storyline all belonged to Lori Boespflug (except Wes Bryant, of course, which everyone recognizes to be Bob). Mark Reynolds was patterned after one of her former husband's fellow police officers ... who had left seminary prior to joining the force. Glint Blade [NOT Clint Blade] was a young man she had encountered at a SOKS event. The publisher's deadline was fast approaching. What was a best-selling author and commentator to do?
As this internal BLM memo suggests, he turned to former Compassion Connection director Margo Hamilton:
MEMORANDUMHamilton, a physical education major in college, wasn't much help. But Larson's young second wife, the former Laura Ann Harris Anderson, was. She picked up where Lori left off -- and the rest is history.
TO: BOB
FROM: MARGO
DATE: 6/16/92
SUBJ: BOOK (I have no idea what I'm doing, just thoughts)
Ideas:
Chapter One:
* Wes and Annette are separated
* Annette calls Wes, frantic that Jennifer's been arrested and now sits in detox
* Her unpredictable, rebellious nature has caused juvenile courts to get involved
* Jennifer's been actively participating in sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll
* Her trend is gothic, and her clothes, hair, nails and attitude reflect this, but not consistently
* The courts decide to put Jennifer in the foster care system (infiltration of the foster care home(s) will enter in later chapters)
* Annette blames Wes for the family's dysfunctionalism as he's absorbed himself in business and career
* Annette refuses family counseling as she wants no one to know about their past
Chapter Two:
* Jennifer is moved into the foster home
* Wes's job becomes more demanding as finances are failing and his board is gaining more control
* Strange messages are left on Wes's answering machine (Jennifer's alters.)
* In frustration, he takes a late night drive, and there on E. Colfax is a young girl, dressed as a prostitute, that looks identical to Jennifer. (In actuality, it's her twin that Annette assume died at birth.)
Chapter Three
* Annette and Wes meet at what once was the family home
* Wes asks to go through Jennifer's room and finds: death box, odd assortment of clothing, Book of shadow, pictures of odd people participating in odd activities, rune stones, tarot cards, and an assortment of crystals. The death box, which is black lacquer and has a tiny paddle lock, is a mystery as they can't get inside...." [11]
And "Railroading" Your Ex-Wife:
Malachi 2:15 warns us that a man should not deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. That advice is as divine today as it was when it was given ... and while the war of the Larsons did not end as violently as the cinematic "War of the Roses," it may well have been his doom. Divorcing a wife is generally considered bad form among Christian circles [technically, it is adultery11a], but more to the point, the incriminating financial disclosures Bob was forced to make to get a divorce laid the foundation for the Larson investigation. The following document is the 'smoking gun':
"DISTRICT COURT, JEFFERSON COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO Case No. 91DR226, Division 9According to the Court's order, Kathy Larson got the patio home, some $500,000 in stocks and bonds, $3,700 a month in maintenance ... and I would argue, the shaft. But while Bob Larson won that battle, he may have lost the war. In revealing his personal financial condition, he gave substance to widespread suspicions that he was making an exorbitant living from his ministry.AFFIDAVIT WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF BOBBY E. LARSON
BOBBY E. LARSON, Petitioner,
and
KATHRYN G. LARSON, Respondent.
_____________________________________________________________________
Bobby E. Larson, Social Security No. 505-56-3XXX, declares under oath:
1. I am employed by Bob Larson Ministries, Inc. and International Broadcasting Network, Inc., 575 Union Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado. I am President of both entities. I am paid twice each month.
2. Monthly salary and deductions are:
Bob Larson Ministries, Inc. Gross salary 6,792 Expense allowance 2,750 Retirement allowance 4,208 Housing allowance 2,291 FICA (12 month average) -427 Federal withholding -1,064 State withholding -76 125 Cafeteria Plan deduction -333 125 Cafeteria Plan reimbursement 333
Net monthly salary 13,432
In 1990 I received a bonus of $25,000. I do not know at this time if I will receive a bonus in 1991. [Our information shows that Bob received a $50,000 bonus in 1991, which was paid in February of 1992.]
International Broadcasting Network, Inc. Gross salary 3,333 FICA -255 Federal withholding -432 State withholding -144
Net monthly salary 2,502
3. Average net monthly income from other sources, 4,459 based on 1990 federal income tax return:
Honoraria 1,000 Personal auto use 362 Personal life insurance 94 Interest and dividends 2,860 Interest (from Husband's separate 419 property) BLM Canada consulting fees 4,257 ------ Total (before taxes) 8,992 * Less monthly average of 1991 -4,533 * federal and state tax estimates ------ Total (after taxes) 4,459
* Note: Excluding royalty income from publishing con- tracts, and the income tax thereon, which has been valued as an asset. See K.47 and 48, page 13.
4. Estimated net monthly income from all sources 20,393
5. Total income reported on our 1990 federal tax return 403,310
6. I believe the monthly gross income of the other party to be Unknown I believe the monthly net income therefrom to be Unknown
7. My estimated monthly living expenses for a household consisting of one adult are:
A. HOUSING (1) Mortgage payment 0 * (2) Utilities 0 * (3) Homeowners fee 80 (4) Household help 85 (5) Home/yard maintenance 75 TOTAL 240
* Bob Larson Ministries, Inc. pays the $1,876 monthly mortgage payment and an average of $350 per month for utilities from my housing allowance.
B. FOOD (1) Groceries 140 (2) Eating out 150 TOTAL 290
C. MEDICAL (1) Doctor 20 (2) Dentist 20 (3) Counseling 200 (4) Eye exams and glasses 30 (5) Vitamins and supplements 20 TOTAL 290
D. INSURANCE (1) Personal property 113 (2) Medical insurance 0 * (3) Life insurance 0 * TOTAL 113
* Bob Larson Ministries, Inc. pays $163 monthly for medical, dental, vision and life insurance and $116 monthly for life insurance as an employ- ment benefit.
E. TRANSPORTATION *
* Bob Larson Ministries, Inc. provides an automobile for my use and pays all expenses. I pay income tax on personal use of the automobile, which is reflected in Section 3, page 2.
F. CLOTHING 166
G. LAUNDRY AND CLEANING 100
H. EDUCATION 0
I. RECREATION (Estimate includes concerts, 1,000 theater, sporting events, skiing and travel.)
* Bob Larson Ministries, Inc. pays a $140 monthly athletic club membership fee as an employment benefit.
J. MISCELLANEOUS (1) Charitable contributions 1,339 (2) Support of parents 850 (3) Gifts 165 (4) Hair cuts and personal 40 grooming (5) Records and tapes 25 (6) Pet care: Veterinarian 15 Kennel 150 (7) Personal accounting services 170 (average based on 1990)
(8) Summit County condominium: Condo fee 369 Taxes 145 Insurance 18 Public service 70 Water and sewer 41 Cable TV 7 Cleaning 50 Maintenance and repairs 183 (9) Genesee land: Taxes 122 Genesee Foundation fee 71 Homeowners fee 58 Water and sewer 13 (10) Clear Creek County condominium: Taxes 58 Insurance 14 Homeowners fee 2 Maintenance and repairs 13 Public Service 8 Water and sewer 19 TOTAL 4,015 ------ TOTAL REQUIRED MONTHLY EXPENSES 6,214
K. MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO CREDITORS 0 (FROM DEBT SCHEDULE) ------ TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES PLUS DEBTS 6,214
8. DEBTS
A. Campbell & Rosenbaum CPA expert fees Unknown
B. Plaut/Lipstein/Cohen Attorney fees Unknown
SUMMARY OF MARITAL ASSET VALUES
A. REAL ESTATE 539,200 B. FURNITURE, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND HOUSEHOLD Not valued GOODS (divided by Husband and Wife in a manner which they believe to be equitable) C. FURNITURE KNOW TO HAVE BEEN PURCHASED BY WIFE 7,874 SINCE 4/26/91 D. CHINA, CRYSTAL, ARTWORKS, JEWELRY, FURS, COINS 86,677 AND COLLECTIBLES (divided by agreement of Husband and Wife) Value to Husband 39,381 Value to Wife 47,296 E. AUTOMOBILES 10,000
F. BANK ACCOUNTS AND CASH ACCOUNTS 382,191 G. CASH ON HAND Husband Minimal Wife Unknown H. STOCKS AND BONDS 156,597 I. LIFE INSURANCE 3,265 J. DEFERRED BENEFIT PLANS AND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS 69,876 Held in Husband's name 51,672 Held in Wife's name 18,204 K. TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES 152,882 Held in Husband's name 127,468 Held in Wife's name 25,414 L. PUBLISHING CONTRACTS, ROYALTY INTERESTS AND COPYRIGHTS 31,500 M. MISCELLANEOUS ASSETS 4,641
TOTAL 1,444,703
9. ASSETS Total Net Value A. REAL ESTATE
(1) Townhouse at 867 Hill and Dale Road, #C, 20,000 Golden, Colorado, titled in names of Husband and Wife. Property is to be sold. Appraised value is $215,000, less encumbrance of $180,000 and estimated sale commission (7%) of $15,000.
(2) Condominium Unit 2, Building 1, Hearthstone 225,000 Mountainhomes at Aspenridge Condominiums, Summit County, Colorado; no encumbrance; appraised value of $225,000
(3) Lot 3, Genesee Filing No. 13, Parcel 1, vacant 136,700 land known as 1356 Preserve Circle, titled in Husband's name. Property is to be sold. Appraised value is $147,000, less estimated sale commission (7%) of $10,300. Property is not encumbered.
(4) Unit No. 21 and Unit No. 25, Winterland Condo- 32,500 minium East (Silver Lake), Clear Creek County, Colorado; titled in names of Husband and Wife; appraised value $32,500; no encumbrance
(5) Governor's Park patio home purchased by Wife 125,000 June 3, 1991; purchase price; no encumbrance
TOTAL 539,200
[sections B-K (pp. 8-12) deleted for brevity]
Total Net Value L. PUBLISHING CONTRACTS, ROYALTY INTERESTS AND COPYRIGHTS
(46) Husband's agreements with Thomas Nelson 25,000 Communications for literary works in print; value net of required income taxes
(47) Husband's exclusive Copyright License Agreements 6,500 with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. for literary works in print, value net of required income taxes
(48) Copyrights to videos 0
TOTAL 31,500
[section M (rest of p. 13) deleted for brevity]
TOTAL VALUE OF NET MARITAL ESTATE 1,444,703
N. HUSBAND'S SEPARATE PROPERTY
(54) 1stBank Certificate of Deposit 683-2121 in Husband's name; balance per statement dated 6/14/91 of $76,950; original deposit of $64,500 bequest from the Estate of Ann C. Benson to Husband on 12/8/88 (see section E. p. 8 for marital portion) [sic]
(55) Brass, carvings, ivory, novelties, porcelain, tables, sculpture and miscellaneous (see Exhibit A, and also Section C, page 8)
TOTAL [sic]
O. WIFE'S SEPARATE PROPERTY
(56) Chair, porcelain and silver (see Exhibit A, and also Section C, page 8)
STATE OF COLORADO ) ) ss. County of Jefferson )
I declare, under penalty of perjury, that I have read the fore going affidavit and the s]tatements contained therein are true to the best of my knowledge.
/s/ Bobby E. Lar[son]
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this __12__ day of July, 1991,
WITNESS my hand and official seal. 10/12/91
/seal/ /s/ Frank Plaut Notary Public"12
I saw this document as a blueprint, which enabled me to reconstruct Bob Larson's financial empire. I used this, his divorce transcript, Ministry tax returns, and other public domain material to reconstruct Bob's income for 1990. I chose 1990 on the grounds that every component of Bob's compensation package -- salary, bonuses, housing allow ances, retirement benefits -- either was or should have been reported on a document signed under penalty of perjury. The figures could not reasonably be disputed ... but, then again, Bob Larson has never been known for his ability to be reasonable.
The only figure missing was that of royalties. I had hard evidence that Larson used Ministry funds to pay staffers to write "his" books, sent out a direct mailing to donors specifically to promote Dead Air, and made similar use of Ministry-paid air time. Bob even admitted to me that he didn't pay for those 'spots' (not that it was necessary -- related-party transactions have to be reported on the Ministry's Form 990). Likewise, I had testimonial evidence that he sold his books to the Ministry at a profit -- and had done so for years. In accordance with IRS regulations [Regs. =1.61-21(b)(1)-(2)], I made an attempt to estimate the fair market value of Bob's unreported 'fringe benefits', clearly outlining my assumptions for all to see.
As for the document itself, I had every reason to believe that it was authentic. First, it bore the stamp of the Jefferson County District Court, and was signed under penalty of perjury -- which creates a reasonable presumption of authenticity. Second, the material accuracy of the figures contained therein was confirmed by Ministry gen eral counsel Chris Johnson.13 Finally, the figures for Bob's compensation from Bob Larson Ministries were in substantial agreement with those listed on the Ministries' 1990 tax return, as obtained from the IRS. Considering that Bob's divorce file remains sealed to this day, and he has offered no evidence that would bring my work into legitimate dispute, it takes a certain chutzpah to insist that I fabricated these figures from whole cloth.
A related document, used in my estimate of Bob Larson's income, is Larson's agreement with Thomas Nelson concerning Dead Air. It is not particularly scintillating as bed-time reading goes, but it betrays a fascinating self-assessment of the moral bankruptcy of his behavior.
The standard book royalty contract contains a morals clause, which gives the publisher the right to terminate the contract if the author engages in unseemly conduct. This is taken from Thomas Nelson's pre-printed agreement:
"Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Author is publicly accused of an act of moral turpitude, the violation of any law or any other conduct which subjects or could be reasonably anticipated to subject author or Publisher to public ridicule, contempt, scorn, hatred or censure, or could materially diminish the potential sales of the Work, Publisher shall have the right to terminate the terms of this agreement...." [14]Most authors don't have that many 'skeletons' in their closets, and such a clause is rarely disturbed. But Bob Larson, probably knowing that his sins were likely to find him out, made a point to alter that clause as follows:
"Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Author is indicted for, or it is proven that he has engaged in acts of moral turpitude or he acknowledges such, or of said event, Publisher shall have the right to terminate the terms of this agreement....[alterations in italics]" [15]Larson also had a special clause written into the contract which is worthy of note -- not because it is particularly unusual, but rather, because it is evidence that Bob Larson Ministries does not benefit in any material way from the sales of Bob's books:
"XXVI. SPECIAL SALESAnd of course, it should come as no surprise that the sole owner of Communications Consultants Group is one Bobby E. Larson.17 Despite the fact that Ministry employees wrote the book on Ministry time, Bob Larson Ministries, like everyone else, stood out in the cold.Communications Consultants Group, Inc. may purchase copies of the book [Dead Air] at the following special discounts:
1-1,000 copies at a discount of sixty percent (60%) off suggested retail price;
1,000-2,500 copies at a discount of sixty-five percent (65%) off suggested retail price, provided that the purchase is part of the Publisher's print run;
Over 2,500 copies at a discount of seventy-five percent (75%) off the suggested retail price, provided that the purchase is part of the Publisher's print run.
No royalty shall be paid on these sales." [16]
"Secular Bob" -- The Singapore Sting?
Most of the documents are mundane business records: correspondence, internal memos, show lists, supplier contracts ... the kind of infor mation a typical American business throws away as a matter of course. And, like pottery shards at an archaeological site, they mean little in and of themselves ... but when you put them together, they paint a frighteningly accurate picture.
Most of the bits and pieces are illustrative, like the resumE which Larson supposedly provided to publisher Thomas Nelson indicating that he attended the University of Nebraska from 1962-196418 (in fact, his freshman year was spent at McCook Junior College, and he dropped out of the University of Nebraska in September of 1964).19 I doubt that Nelson gave a damn about Bob's lack of education, but Bob has no compunctions about lying to anyone at any time whenever he feels it will serve his purposes. And on the radio, it usually does.
Bob told us just how bad things were on April 14, 1994:
"Now, I looked back at the statistics over the last couple of years on this particular week -- 'tax week' -- and they're bad. They're really bad! And part of me says, 'Bob Larson, why would you pick a week like this as the critical week to evaluate the stations of this network as to who is going to be able to continue carrying Talk-Back? And why would you launch this unpre- cedented incredible opportunity in secular broadcasting?' Well, folks, I didn't pick the date and the time. In fact, if I would have had my druthers, I'd have been happy to have waited...." [20]A quick check of the Ministry's weekly statistics for 1991 and 1992 suggests otherwise:
Week 1991 1992
Number TOTAL $ TOTAL $
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
1 $ 62,312 $ 32,582
2 56,377 38,968
3 43,751 39,731
4 42,425 35,936
5 61,866 39,965
6 40,011 44,241
7 32,056 40,598
8 48,229 34,680
9 57,241 27,052
10 50,029 36,716
11 39,164 35,122
12 47,230 40,444
13 65,023 33,623
14 66,257 40,073
15 57,854 38,352
16 75,046 35,277
17 63,444 46,721
18 69,711 33,117
(wks 19-38 omitted)
Totals: ---------- ----------
Thru 38 wks. $ 1,883,961 $ 1,302,709" [21]
========== ==========
Weekly Ave. 49,577 34,282
========== ==========
Historically, April 15th has been an auspicious time for Bob's ministry:
In 1992, donations for that week ran 36% ahead of average, and
in 1991, the week before tax day (the 16th or 17th week of the year,
depending upon the calendar) was his second-best of the year. And it
makes sense, when you think about it -- most people get their refunds
in late March or early April. But if Bob doesn't face a 'crisis', he
is obliged to invent one.
Larson's bread-and-butter ploy is threatening to cancel any station that doesn't meet its' air-time costs. Long-time Talk-Back listeners should recall times when Bob has claimed that thirty, forty, and even fifty percent of his stations have fallen far short. But despite his advertised ruthlessness, as this memo suggests, the stations are surprisingly hardy perennials:
"TO: BOB, ANGELO, LORI, MARGO, BONNIE, LAURA T., DEEANN, CHRIS, LISAThe cancellation letters are thus simple negotiation tools, permitting Bob to play hard-ball with both stations and listeners. Accord ing to a September 9, 1992 memo, BLM added 22 stations year-to-date, while losing only 19.23 Of the 19, only 6 were cancelled by BLM, and 'lost' markets (e.g., Lansing, MI) were recaptured shortly thereafter. Bob is secretly building his empire, while publicly proclaiming that it is burning down.
FROM: PAM K. [IBN Director Pam Koczman]
RE: STATION CANCELLATION STATUS
DATE: 5-20-92Seven cancellation letters have been sent out in May. Of these seven, four have lowered rates or opted out to revenue share with our premium costs taken out and with limits on total monies sent to them. Previously for 1992 we had already cancelled two other stations for lack of support (WSHO, New Orleans and KOPY in Austin). (Nine total stations have been cancelled because of lack of financial support.) The stations receiving letters of cancellation are listed below:
1. WBFJ - Winston/Salem, NC - Letter of Amendment - PI basis through August 31, 1992. Then re-negotiate.
2. WOLY - Battle Creek, MI - June, July, August go to $10 a day instead of $20.
3. WRKP - Wheeling, WV - Letter of Amendment to a PI basis June July and August.
4. WXLN - Louisville, KY - Letter of Amendment to do $20/day instead of $35.
5. KTSJ - Pomona, CA - John Boyd has not responded to cancellation letter. We pay $40 per day for both hours. We do not want to keep unless they carry for free.
6. WSCW - South Charleston, WV - They are accepting cancellation for June 12, 1992.
7. KJAY - West Sacramento, CA - 3-month non-cancellable is up June 30, 1992. Letter has been sent stating we discontinue at that time.
OTHER MARKETS WHERE WE ARE EXPERIENCING LOSSES YTD BUT WEREN'T SENT LETTERS OF CANCELLATION YET BECAUSE THEY REDUCED THE RATE FOR A PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
1. KIEV - LA - $1440 per day reduced to $1100 per day- June through August.
2. WPIT - Pittsburgh - $210 per day for both hours now reduced to $160 per day June through August.
3. KDAZ - Albuquerque - $100 per day for both hours now reduced to $75 per day June through August.
4. WFUR - Grand Rapids, MI - $50/2nd hr. to $30/hr. May through August [other stations omitted for brevity] ...
The above stations are all the stations not bringing in a plus margin YTD at the end of April. These 18 are all the stations we have to trim away extra expense.
I realize you are using the campaign of every station pledging a gift everyday which I think is working when you read those you didn't hear from. By the end of summer if the above stations have not recouped or rebounded, then I suggest you go back to listing these stations which aren't going to make it." [22]
So, Bob told a fib. So, Bob told lots of them. What's the point? What is the point??? As Rush Limbaugh is wont to put it, it's character. In a recent Time editorial, Charles Krauthammer places the character issue into perspective, as it relates to Larson's favorite whipping-boy:
"Why Whitewater MattersIf the White House should be a bastion of morality, then the pulpit certainly ought to be. When a minister of the Gospel finds the truth to be a 'cross' too heavy to bear, perhaps it is time for him to find another line of work. And what Bob says about Bill Clinton, we might likewise say to him:At the heart of the Clinton presidency lies an oddity. Bill Clinton has been plagued by questions of character and trust worthiness throughout his career. He earned the name Slick Willie long before he ran for the White House. The man who 'didn't inhale' is a man the public does not trust. His slick ness is such a given that in a column defending the President, Michael Kinsley quite casually, indeed parenthetically, concedes that Clinton all but lied about Gennifer Flowers.
And yet this is a presidency that makes a public fetish of its virtuousness. The Clintons really do believe they are doing God's work on health care, welfare, national service, etc. and those who oppose them do so for the most venal, usually pecuniary, motives. They really do believe theirs is the politics of virtue. Hillary Clinton spent so much time championing the politics of virtue that she earned a cover photo graph in the New York Times Magazine last year showing her dressed in purest white, with the accompanying article head lined SAINT HILLARY.
It is this contradiction between the claim to saintliness and the evidence of slickness that gives the Whitewater affair such drama and urgency. We would not be half so interested in the personal failings and shady dealings of a First Family that did not so insistently engage in arrogant, high-handed moralism....
[Whitewater] is a tangled web of, for now, obscure dealings involving political favors, real estate speculation, and conflicts of interest--with a dead man. It is important less for its possible criminal violations than for the light it sheds on the ethical norms, the greed and ambition, of our moral betters in the White House. [emphasis added]" [24]
"Nothing would make me happier than to see the President get on national television and say, 'I have sinned! I have sinned! I've sinned against God, and I've sinned against this country. I ask your forgiveness. I'm going to change.... I'm going to apologize to you for lying about what I did, with smoking pot and the affairs I've had... God has forgiven me, and I am going to be the Godly president God wants me to be...." [25]In the same way you judge others, Bob, you will be judged (Mt. 7:2, NIV)....
ENDNOTES
1 "Gospel Grapevine," Brother Randall, ed., Snake Oil, Issue 2, p. 14:
"STOP THE PRESSES. The following report ran Friday, November 5, 7:25 am on WFAA Channel 8 in Dallas: 'Lawyers for TV evan gelist Bob Tilton go to court this morning in Houston. Candice Caminati of Houston claims Tilton raped her when she worked for him in 1982. She claims she never filed a complaint because Tilton paid her hush money for 11 years. Lawyers for ex-followers of Tilton want to talk to Caminati. They believe she could help in their lawsuits against the minister.' That same evening Channel 8 retracted the story saying, 'We broadcast that report without first speaking to Caminati or Tilton. Today spokesmen for Caminati and Tilton deny the statements. The report was broadcast as a result of a mistake by Channel 8. Channel 8 retracts the report in its entirety, and we apologize to Candice Caminati and Robert Tilton for our error'." [Interesting, no?]
2 Muriel Olson, Memorandum (to Bob Larson), 2 Apr. 1990, pp. 1-2.
3 Bob Larson, Memorandum (to Muriel Olson), 12 Mar. 1990, pp. 1-2.
4 William T. Abbott, Letter (to Bob Larson), 8 Jul. 1991, pp. 1-2.
5 Jay Grelen and Doug LeBlanc, "This Is Me, This Is Real," World, Vol. 7, No. 32, 23 Jan. 1993, p. 9 (hereinafter, "World").
6 Jon Trott, "Bob Larson's Ministry Comes Under Scrutiny," Corner stone, Vol. 21, Issue 100, p. 41 (advance copy, courtesy Jon Trott) (hereinafter, "Cornerstone").
7 World, p. 9.
8 Bob Larson, "Talk-Back With Bob Larson" (radio broadcast), 28 Jul. 1993.
9 Complaint at 2-3, Bob Larson Ministries v. Boespflug, No. 93 CV 442 (Jefferson County (Colo.) Dist. Ct., filed 5 Mar. 1993).
10 Cornerstone, p. 41.
11 "Margo" [Hamilton], Memorandum (to Bob Larson), 16 Jun. 1992, p. 1.
11a Mk. 10:11-12; see also, e.g., Mt. 5:32, Lk. 16:18 (although the innocent victim of an adulterous spouse is allowed to remarry).
12 Affidavit With Respect to the Financial Affairs of Bobby E. Larson at 1-14, Larson v. Larson, No. 91 DR 226 (Jefferson County (Colo.) Dist. Ct., filed 28 Jan. 1991). (The document in question was filed on July 18, 1991; the divorce file itself was sealed by order of the Court on 13 Feb. 1992. Larson's SSN is altered for obvious reasons.)
13 Michael Roberts, "The Evil That Men Do," Westword, May 27-Jun 2, 1992, p. 12.
14 Thomas Nelson Communications, Agreement (with Bob Larson), 27 Feb. 1990, p. 5 (portions of standard contract typed over with x's).
15 Ibid., ibid.
16 Ibid., p. 8.
17 Records can be obtained from the Colorado Secretary of State [(303) 894-2251]
18 "Thomas Nelson Author Information," undated, p. 1.
19 World, p. 11.
20 Bob Larson, "Talk-Back With Bob Larson" (radio broadcast), 14 Apr. 1994 (tape on file).
21 Bob Larson Ministries Graphs: 1991-1992 Comparisons, Spreadsheet, undated (The figures represent pledges made during Talb-Back broadcasts, which until recently have accounted for roughly one-half of BLM revenues).
[Everyday financial reports speak volumes about the "ministry" that bears Bob's name, and what they tell us is not often kind. Consider the following memo:
NOVE
BOB LARSON MINISTRIES
FOR HALF THE DONATIONS POSTED THRU 07/21/92
July 22, 199220% RADIO STATIONS RSP DONATIONS EXPENSE PREM COST MARGIN ====================================================================
ANON Anonymous 1 20.00 20.00 K108 Honolulu, HI KALV Alvis, OK KARI Blaine, WA 27 948.12 645.84 189.62 112.66 KATB Anchorage, AK 102 12,078.87 1,207.96 2,415.79 8,455.22 KAYR Ft. Smith, AK 9 335.00 0.00 67.00 268.00 KBBO Yakima, WA 2 80.00 16.00 64.00 KBBW Waco, TX 49 1,692.31 1,275.90 338.46 77.95 KBLE Seattle, WA 203 9,931.64 2,300.00 1,986.33 5,645.31 KCBC Springfield, MO 1 15.00 3.00 12.00 KCFO Tulsa, OK 48 3,569.38 1,840.00 713.88 1,015.50 KCRO Omaha, NB 48 3,211.05 2,668.00 642.21 -99.16 KCVO Camdenton, MO 4 170.00 34.00 136.00 KDAZ Albuquerque, NM 40 1,334.12 1,725.00 266.82 -657.70 KDBS Alexandria, LA 1 40.00 8.00 32.00 KOMI Des Moines, IA 43 1,016.40 460.00 203.28 353.12 KELP El Paso, TX 22 1,877.56 1,150.00 375.51 352.05 KERI Bakersfield, CA 149 5,363.19 3,783.50 1,072.64 507.05
[other key cities]
KIEV Los Angeles, CA 150 7,765.59 25,300.00 1,553.12 -19,087.53 KLTT Denver, CO 133 5,057.66 4,140.00 1,011.53 -93.87 K_NP Portland, OR 105 4,724.83 3,850.00 944.87 -70.14 KPLA Oakland, CA 138 9,945.52 5,000.00 1,989.10 2,956.42 KVTT Dallas, TX 540 33,739.11 1,666.68 6,747.82 25,324.61 KXEG Phoenix, AZ 129 6,000.59 1,840.00 1,200.12 2,960.47 WCVO New Albany, OH 139 5,875.42 0.00 1,175.08 4,700.34 WDCT Washington, DC 34 1,688.55 1,955.00 337.71 -604.16 WDRZ Cleveland, TN 33 8,123.80 2,070.00 1,624.76 4,429.04 WFIF New Haven, CT 37 4,560.24 1,943.50 912.05 1,704.69 WLQV Detroit, MI 36 2,307.59 1,656.00 461.52 190.07 WLVJ W. Palm Bch., FL 41 1,710.51 3,933.00 342.10 -2,564.59 WPIT Pittsburg 68 2,919.12 3,680.00 583.82 -1,344.70 WTOF Canton, OH 116 8,591.14 3,565.00 1,718.23 3,307.91 ---- --------- --------- --------- ---------- TOTAL (all cities) 4,628 247,356.35 145,309.43 49,471.27 52,575.65
Two-thirds of the way through the month, Larson covered his monthly air time costs, with plenty to spare. Moreover, with the obvious exceptions of Los Angeles and a few East Coast cities, nearly every station contributed to the bottom line. And that is why Bob so rarely cancels stations, despite his constant whining to the contrary.
His track record in individual cities is of interest as well. Dallas stands out like a sore thumb: Bob grosses nearly $50,000 a month there, and doesn't pay a dime for air time. He does give the station regular gifts, but they don't even come close to the value of the air time that KVTT gives him. The second is Los Angeles -- which was one of his top markets prior to his divorce. Bob doesn't do that well in secular markets, which is why he is going to have to make significant format changes to give Bob Larson Live a chance to succeed. Third is his unexpected strength in markets like Anchorage, Seattle, and other West Coast cities, as compared with the East. I understand that the hours between 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. are considered as "garbage time" for purposes of talk radio; drive-time listeners want weather reports and traffic updates.]
22 Pam K. [Koczman], Memorandum, 20 Apr. 1992.
23 "1992 General Talk-Back Station Info Update," Memorandum (to Bob), 9 Sep. 1992.
24 Charles Krauthammer, "Why Whitewater Matters," Time, 28 Mar. 1994, p. 76 (material particularly applicable to Larson is emphasized).
25 Bob Larson, "Talk-Back With Bob Larson" (radio broadcast), 19 Apr. 1994.
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