Social Exploitation

WBTV has posted this article on their site:

The group raised $712 which it planned to use to help in the search and to offer counseling to the police involved in the investigation. Police told WBTV they never knew or approved the fundraising on their behalf.

The Spiritual Counseling Network's co-pastor, Brandon Greeson says the group is cooperating with the Attorney General office's inquiry. Greeson says the Attorney General's office wants to see their paperwork on donors, donations, charity status and tax records. Greeson says all of the money raised in Baker's name will go to charity.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General office wants to hear from people who donated.

Call their Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13446177

I would also like to hear from people who have been harassed by them while they were going to and from the Catawba Valley Behavioral Health facility.  It seems that Brandon Greeson and Tim Curtis HARASSED and INTIMIDATED employees and people in front of the facility using a bullhorn on numerous occasions, and I am fairly certain that the town of Hickory is not sad to see these sad sacks finally get their comeuppance.

This was posted by an anonymous commenter (I assume one of the faux ministers from Spiritual Counseling Network) and I will assume this is from them until told otherwise.  If the press would like to call them for comment, you can reach them by trying to access the www.zahrabaker.com website that takes you to their new church site.

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2010

HICKORY, NC – Spiritual Counseling Network Healing & Deliverance Center makes the following statement to the media:

On October 18, 2010 we started the Zahra Baker Fund to assist in locating and supporting efforts to locate Zahra Baker, a 10-year old Australian-native who went missing in our hometown of Hickory, NC. From the beginning, our efforts were totally sincere and genuine.

The media circus that has resulted primarily the result of false accusations and lies, and a number of threats of violence we have received, has caused us to rethink our efforts to assist in this endeavor. After careful consideration, the Board of Elders has decided to suspend our efforts. Effectively immediately, Spiritual Counseling Network will no longer accept donations or make solicitation for Zahra Baker Fund.

To date, we have raised $712.29. At this time, we are prayerfully awaiting the discovery of Zahra’s body. Once it is found, we will offer support to cover expenses related to her funeral/memorial or to aid in the transportation of her body back to Australia – as is decided by her family (which lives in Australia). We may also assist with transportation costs associated with her family coming from Australia to the United States to claim Zahra’s body. If no assistance is needed, we will disperse the balance of the account to a non-profit organization that educates the public against child abuse, neglect and/or exploitation - likely one who has assisted in Zahra’s disappearance.

We encourage the public that would still like to support ongoing efforts to locate Zahra, to make financial gifts to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Individuals interested in giving financially for a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, are encouraged to give to a local Crime Stoppers organization who are already offering rewards in this case.

Following legal advice we have received, no further comment will be available at this time surrounding any potential legal actions that we may be considering against individual(s) or any actions against individuals who have disseminated threats of violence against the ministry and our staff.


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If this fund is SO transparent and on the up and up, why then does the site now redirect to the Hickory Refuge Church?  We are challenging Brandon Greeson, Tim Curtis and Uziel Medina to make a statement because as it stands now it is our opinion that this fund is a FRAUD, and the actions of this group further prove their dishonesty.