Eric Pepin - Higher Balance Institute Sue SOTT for 4.47 Million Over SOTT Forum Comments!

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From the independent news site SOTT.net:

Yesterday, as I was working on finishing up the next installment of the Comet Series of Articles, FedEx delivered a packet of mail from our corporate registered agent in the U.S. It was "Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial" filed in the State of Oregon by Eric Pepin's Higher Balance Institute, LLC. The reason? A discussion on the SOTT Forum that begins HERE.

Well, that was entertaining enough when you think about the fact that the discussion that he objects to was centered on several newspaper articles that describe his close calls with the legal system in Oregon over charges of sex abuse.

The legal document I received is 10 pages long so I'm just going to summarize it here. If you want to read the whole thing (it's hilarious beyond belief!) go HERE for the pdf.

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Read the whole story HERE.

Sexual predators in the religious scene

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A story in the news a few days ago brought an ugly reality to show its face again. It was yet another story of a sexual predator, who walked free from court with just a token sentence. This time it was the story of archbishop Earl Paulk from an Atlanta megachurch: [link]

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Anne Simpkinson writes in an article named Soul Betrayal - Sexual abuse by spiritual leaders from 1996:

Sometimes what psychologists call a personality disorder compels a person to exploit, manipulate, and hurt those in their spiritual care. While publicly charming, ebullient, devoted, hard-working, and inspiring, this leader proves himself cunning, slick, seductive, and cruel in private. Involved in multiple, simultaneous relationships, he can sweet-talk his victims into compliance -- "Our love is special and holy" -- or bully them into submission.

Sounds very much like the description of the common psychopath.
Robert Hare is the foremost expert today on psychopathy and the author of several books on the subject. He defines psychopathy as follows:

Psychopathy is a personality disorder described by the personality traits and behaviors that form the basis of this book [Snakes in Suits]. Psychopaths are without conscience and incapable of empathy, guilt, or loyalty to anyone but themselves.

These are some of the common traits of psychopathy:

lack of remorse or empathy
shallow emotions
manipulativeness
lying
egocentricity
glibness
low frustration tolerance
episodic relationships
parasitic lifestyle
persistent violation of social norms

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The spiritual scene provides a fertile ground for sexual predators to prey, as trust and complete faith is often given to if not demanded by the various religions leaders. A cartoon on the internet illustrates this well:


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Back to the article:

The accuser said Pepin asked him how old he was the first day they met and that he told him the truth.

"He said students had to be 18 because he didn't like parents fussing around," the accuser said.

Maybe the reason was that he didn’t like parents, who being more streetwise would be able to see through the manipulations and the sexual predation that was going on.

But within days the two were having sex, including a three-way encounter with Priebe, the youth testified. Pepin called it "crossing the abyss," the accuser said, "surrendering yourself to your teacher, your master."

All in the name of spiritual advancement and dropping the ego.

Read the whole article here

Higher Balance Institute

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"There is no simple way to explain the results of this meditation program to you. It is fair to say you will experience everything listed below but, more importantly, you must understand that this meditation program is designed for intense experiences! At the time of your choosing it will deliver the answers to secrets you have wanted your whole life and the awakening you require.

This material goes well beyond anything described here!"

-- Eric Pepin, Founder of Higher Balance Institute®

Leader of Washington County Internet company acquitted of sex abuse

The Oregonian, USA
May 23, 2007
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HILLSBORO — A Washington County Circuit judge called the leader of a metaphysical Internet sales company manipulative and controlling and his testimony unbelievable, even as he acquitted him today of charges that he had sex with an underage boy.

Judge Steven L. Price, after a five-day trial without a jury, found Eric James Pepin, 40, not guilty of two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, four counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct.

Also acquitted of third-degree sexual abuse and using a child in a pornographic display was Jamison Dwight Priebe, 21, who has worked for Pepin’s Higher Balance Institute since he was 18.

“Everybody has stood by me who knows me,” Pepin said today.

However, Price said it was “probable that the conduct alleged in all counts occurred,” but he wasn’t convinced beyond a reasonable doubt.

The accuser testified Pepin had him take off his shirt the first day they met at Pepin’s Beaverton home in April 2004. He said Pepin asked him how old he was the first day they met and that he told him the truth.

But within days the two were having sex, including a three-way encounter with Priebe, the youth testified. Pepin called it “crossing the abyss,” the accuser said, “surrendering yourself to your teacher, your master.”

Stephen A. Houze, Pepin’s private defense attorney, called the accuser a liar more than 100 times in his closing argument and noted that Pepin was “the perfect patsy” because society wants to believe the worst of a gay man.

Eric J. Pepin: The head of what police say is a cult is accused by a former underage follower

The Oregonian, USA
July 20, 2006
Holly Danks
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Two Aloha men arrested on sex-abuse charges

HILLSBORO — A 39-year-old Aloha man who promises spiritual awakening through meditation books and CDs he sells on the Internet is facing sex-abuse charges.

Beaverton police Detective Mike Smith said Eric J. Pepin runs what appears to be a cult out of his Higher Balance Institute on Southwest Second Street in Beaverton.

Pepin was arraigned Tuesday in Washington County criminal court on one count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, and four counts of third-degree sexual abuse. He was released after posting $26,750 cash, or 10 percent of $267,500 bail. A trial was set for Sept. 12.

Using a child in a sexual display is a Measure 11 crime punishable by a mandatory minimum of 5 years and 10 months in prison.

Jamison Dwight Priebe, 21, who works for Pepin and lives at the same address in the 19600 block of Southwest Cooperhawk Court in Aloha, also was arrested on one count each of using a child in a sexual display and third-degree sexual abuse.

Priebe and Pepin turned themselves in at the Washington County Jail last week after a grand jury handed down secret indictments. Priebe was released after posting $25,375 cash bail and is awaiting arraignment Monday.

Smith said a man who is now 20 was 17 and working for Pepin when he allegedly was sexually abused at the Higher Balance office in the 11900 block of Southwest Second Street in Beaverton and at Pepin’s former home in the city.

A call to the Higher Balance Institute on Wednesday was answered by a “Personal Star Reach Coach,” who referred questions to Pepin’s private attorney, Sam Kauffman.

“The charges are false, and we are confident Mr. Pepin will be exonerated,” Kauffman said.

Pepin’s Web site claims he has located more than 100 missing persons and runaways, along with U.S. Navy submarines, through a psychic ability he calls “remote viewing.”

Pepin’s meditation systems, which sell for $79 to $149, help customers develop their “sixth sense” and apply it “inward to awaken a dimensional universe within the mind,” the Web site says.

According to an affidavit Smith filed with a request for a search warrant, the alleged victim told police that Internet customers who rave about Pepin’s teachings are men and women usually older than 35. But, the man said Pepin told him he should recruit “good-looking men” between the ages of 18 and 24 to work for him.

The court record also says Pepin knew the man was 17 when he forced him to perform sex acts.

The boy, Smith wrote, “was taught by Pepin to believe that the sexual contact was only a spiritual necessity.” But after a while, the affidavit says, the boy decided he was being used by Pepin, who bought him meals and paid him $200 after sex.

The man contacted Beaverton police in January.

Smith said anyone who may have had underage sexual contact with Pepin should call him at 503-526-2280.

Smith said the man accusing Pepin told police he met one of Pepin’s followers at Beaverton Town Square in April 2004. He told Smith the recruiter invited him to meet Pepin and see him demonstrate levitation.

Pepin introduced himself dressed in a robe emblazoned with the words “Master Eric” and a triangular symbol and told the victim to take off his shirt, the detective said.

“It’s a cult,” Smith said, “anytime you have a guy who fancies himself as the master, the leader.”