10/24/2008
By Greg Mellen, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (California, USA)
LONG BEACH - The leader of a Cambodian temple remained jailed indefinitely without bail on a contempt of court charge Friday after continuing to defy a judge's order to turn over financial documents to a court-appointed receiver.
Judge Joseph Di Loreto ordered Siphann Tith to remain in custody, extending a jail term he imposed Monday.
Since August, Tith has faced a contempt complaint for his failure to produce financial information about the temple, its $4 million in assets and more than $400,000 in cash and deposits that are unaccounted for.
Tith appeared in Di Loreto's court Friday in a jail-issued blue jumpsuit and shackled.
As he had done Monday, Tith said he did not possess the documents nor had the authority to divulge them. Tith said only the temple's council of elders could approve release of the documents. He refused to name any other members of the mysterious group, although he did admit he was one of the elders.
Tith and his supporters, many who went to court Friday to show report for the embattled temple leader, have been embroiled in a conflict that dates back to January when a dissident group supported by temple monks, staged an election for a new board of directors for the nonprofit agency that runs the temple.
In a disputed election, a new board of directors was elected in January.
The existing board invalidated the results, claiming the election was not in keeping with bylaws and was fraudulent.
While the sides worked on the process for a new election, Di Loreto ordered financial control of the temple be given to receiver David Pasternak.
The temple's existing board of directors dissolved the temple organization and divested all assets to the new organization called Wat Khmer Vipassanaram.
A central figure in that process, John Ramirez, is also facing a contempt of court complaint. He appeared in court Friday and engaged in about two hours of circuitous testimony in which he claimed not to possess any financial records of the temple nor know the identity of its elders.
Ramirez, also known as Johnny Rhondo, is the leader, and only member, of the Church of the Revelation based in a post office box in Orange. He is assisting the new organization in its attempt to become a religious nonprofit as a charter member of his church.
Ramirez was ordered by the court to return Nov. 17 with certain bank documents he does possess. Tith will return to court Monday where he will again be asked to produce the required financial records.
Judge Joseph Di Loreto ordered Siphann Tith to remain in custody, extending a jail term he imposed Monday.
Since August, Tith has faced a contempt complaint for his failure to produce financial information about the temple, its $4 million in assets and more than $400,000 in cash and deposits that are unaccounted for.
Tith appeared in Di Loreto's court Friday in a jail-issued blue jumpsuit and shackled.
As he had done Monday, Tith said he did not possess the documents nor had the authority to divulge them. Tith said only the temple's council of elders could approve release of the documents. He refused to name any other members of the mysterious group, although he did admit he was one of the elders.
Tith and his supporters, many who went to court Friday to show report for the embattled temple leader, have been embroiled in a conflict that dates back to January when a dissident group supported by temple monks, staged an election for a new board of directors for the nonprofit agency that runs the temple.
In a disputed election, a new board of directors was elected in January.
The existing board invalidated the results, claiming the election was not in keeping with bylaws and was fraudulent.
While the sides worked on the process for a new election, Di Loreto ordered financial control of the temple be given to receiver David Pasternak.
The temple's existing board of directors dissolved the temple organization and divested all assets to the new organization called Wat Khmer Vipassanaram.
A central figure in that process, John Ramirez, is also facing a contempt of court complaint. He appeared in court Friday and engaged in about two hours of circuitous testimony in which he claimed not to possess any financial records of the temple nor know the identity of its elders.
Ramirez, also known as Johnny Rhondo, is the leader, and only member, of the Church of the Revelation based in a post office box in Orange. He is assisting the new organization in its attempt to become a religious nonprofit as a charter member of his church.
Ramirez was ordered by the court to return Nov. 17 with certain bank documents he does possess. Tith will return to court Monday where he will again be asked to produce the required financial records.
36 comments:
Siphann, did you steal any money for use in temple, or is it just a confusing financial mess and a bad bookkeeping?
Contempt of court? Why the judge is so quick in arresting the man? Is there a power abuse here?
Shouldn't there be a thorough investigation to see all what it's about? To clearly understand why the man has not been able to produce any financial record on the issue?
What is going on here?
I think in this scenario, it appears the judge is abusing his power. The person have not been convicted to such crime as of yet and I totally agreed that the judge should at least ordered an investigation on the issue before rushing to a conclusion putting someone in jail and said in contempt of court.
I don't know if Mr. Siphann Tith mismanaged the temple's funds/assets...if he did then he should confess that he did mismanaged the funds/assets of the temple. Mr. Siphann Tith should provide whatever documents available in his capacity to the judge. I think the judge can utilize his power to subpoenas the document if he really wants to do justice the legal and proper ways.
The judge shouldn't be above the law but to interpret the law and seek justice for the people. In this case, I have not seen that Mr.Siphann Tith have been convicted of such crime yet and he ordered to be jailed. I think Mr. Siphann Tith can sue the County of Los Angeles superior for discrimination, harrassment, abusing of power and civil rights. In addition, Mr. Siphann Tith can file a suit in the Federal court for violation of the First Amendment of the U.S Constitution on freedom of religion.
We, Cambodians need to think real hard before pointing finger at someone with the absent of facts. I hope justice will previal for the community and the people.
Observer
Where's the surprise? We already know this is the true color of a typical Ah Pleu-Ovesea.
I thouhgt this has been going on for a while now. The guy keeps the money for himself. Many people complained about him.
6:04 AM, hey ah pleuh knong andaung, it is neither a surprise for a pleuh to say that, the only difference between here and there is that some of the money would end up in ah pleu's judge and his cronies. Don't you know, ah pleuh? That you the ah pleuh crooks in aundong share the same color as the crooks oversea?
Ah Tith Siphann deserves that!
Some more to go!
Saa-thu!
Saa-thu!
Saa-thu!
I agreed to the bloggers’ comment #1 & #2 above. He needs a good representation in the court of law. Had he had a good lawyers to advice him on this matter, he would not find himself in contempt of court order and he would not be in jail.
The other party is well prepared for the fight. They had three lawyers to fight for them in court. Mr. Tith did not have a good representation at court. They did not hire a good lawyer to defend him. Mainly, he went to court to see the judge by himself, which is not a good idea. Just like khmer proverd stated: ‘a knife could not cut its own handle’, it is true in this case. He think he done nothing wrong and did not prepare himself for worse case scenario everything he went to the court. This is base on my observation.
I also think that the judge is kind of bias toward Mr. Tith. Although, he fully understood English very well, but in term legal term and technically that the court use, I think Mr. Tith is not 100% understood, therefore; by put himself in front of the bias judge like that, he would be jail. There are ways the judge do without jail Mr. Tith for contempt of his order. If everyone analyzes Mr. Tith’s answer to the judge, there are rooms to avoid the contempt.
Mr. Tith’s group that control the temple asset, old group, save the money to build the temple. The new group forces an election to take control of the temple and asset. They took control but now going after the money. I don’t understand why whenever the temple has lot of money there are always problems. Case #1: When Willow Temple had lot of money, they accuse ‘Lok Ta’ Kong Chhean of mismanage the money. They accused him give money to a widow and other ladies. Case #2: The temple at Los Angeles also accused of mismanage the money, when the temple had lot of money. The accused the head monk of many wrong doings. Now Mr. Tith group’s temple is the third case, I have heard.
Why didn’t these people try to build their own temple instead of going around to take away from someone else working so hard for the religion. If you don’t you don’t like the way anyone run the temple then joint the process not just try to take over someone’s organization over night. If I were Mr. Tith I would put a fight too.
A concern citizen.
he is a copy cat from cpp...try to corrupted...and any of cambodian assets....no land to steaal...he steal contribution money....he must face with buddha...mana live ahead and also now....may god buddha reveal the true...and punish who...steal money from "bon-donation money"......let they go to hell.......but wat...should also select a good person to hold the money...not just any person...therefore...wat also is accountable for all of this...
AA-mak-poanteh!
Saa-thuh!
Mr.Tith depends on Kol Kundy and other gangs in "Cambodia Town" and "Khemara Times".
That's why he goes to hell like this.
hey, contempt of court will only get you in trouble. the court usually knows what they are doing because they use the evidence. please respect the law.
be real folks!!! he the folks that wanted sok an to come to the new years parade. it is simple, he is a person of the cpp - we all now he stole money - how you not going to have any records and do shit on a one man band. you can do that in cambodia but the white people do not play here in the US. jail aint fun - and sooner or later, he is going to break.
contempt of court means you have disrespected the court, he was asked to do something, but he didnt
cambodians over there, and cambodians here - are just stupid cambodians regardless
not a stupid khmer
When you are Scam Rainxy's supporter like Ah Siphann Tith, Ah Scam Rainxy allowed you to be as corrupted as you wanted to be. Just look at the corrupted teachers in Cambodia. Ah Scam Rainxy never denounced them for anything.
I can't believe this news!!! Wow!!! Siphann used to recruite me to join WMA a Vietnamese dominated financial scamshit. Then he sold me insurance. However, when it is all said and done there is no money at all. I don't know too much about the dude. I think he simply lack comprehension about many things around him not to mention the intricacies of laws and stuff. Good luck to him. I just hope his azz aint get analized by ah Khmao. If it is so then Siphann will not be able to cry his crocodile tears.
Anyone who wants a piece of pie must goes through Ah Scam Rainxy.
This guy Sophann Tith is nothing more than a thieft. lock him up and throw the key away until give back every penny he stole.
Sophann Tith it's your money don't take it. See when you steal, you go to hell right away not event until after you die.
Ha Ha Ha!
Kol Kundy's next!
The new group that forcely took over the temple. These people will also look for pile of money they had their on at the temple.
This group try to be a new good sheriff in town, but these are more crook than the old one. Watch their actions. They are looking for money to spend themselve, no differences.
By the way, I should say that the new group they have a good team of lawyers and connections with court better than the old group (Mr. Tith's group). Mr. Tith miss represent himself in court and refuse to hire a good team of lawyers to defend him and his group, instead they throw little money here and there to get a cheap legal advice. This is not good when you are not knowing well about the law and try to know it.
If I were Mr. Tith, I would use all the money and sell all the property since the start, donate to a good cause, spending on lawyers fee, keep documents of what spend, and walk away.
There are way for this to be out, but it seem to be that Mr. Tith's group never would imagine this thing would happen.
This is what you call Khmer bite Khmer, just like the dogs fighting for food, this very exactly the same.
The new group is very thrill to see the old group be jail. But watch out, new group!!!
It is possibly that Mr.Tith is the scam of temple's budget. He is the spearhead of all problems inside the temple when he became one of the member. He is the church pastor...it seems his plan to contaminate Buddhism.
Where is a Kaun Kandol & Khemara Time?
Santa Ana people
His name "Suoy Kandy" of Khemara Times?
Thanks God he is the U.S; if he was in Cambodia, he would have got away free. Let the court system decides his future.
Suoy Kundy, Bunna Men, Chap Pha-em, Richer San, Sithea San, ... and the rest of GANGS (Parade)... are involved in this scam.
At least one of those will be handcuffed.
I doubt it, 9:25, but certainly he will got away free with ICJ.
See the pure Khmer people represent Khmer people?
I do not see Pure Khmer Represent Khmer Community / Khmer NGO/Khmer Government inside and outside our Country;There are a lot of Khmer-Chinese/Khmer-Vietnamese or Pure Chinese,Pure Vietnamese That Represent Khmer People inside and outside our Country.IF THEY ARE NOT PURE KHMER WHY THEY CARE WHAT BELONG TO THE KHMER,THEY ONLY CARE ONE THING IS THE MONEY.
Is Mr. Siphann Tith real Khmer?
Look he is a Khmer-Chinese? / Khmer-Vietnamese? He is not real Khmer,But he is Americ-Khmer, that Represent Khmer People/Khmer interest.
And look inside Khmer Government right now, Hun Sen's wife is Chinese,She care only the money the most? See what she did to our country and his follow men such as Sok An is real Khmer or Chinese?
That our country go very slow or fast? and see what they care most?
From: Pure Khmer?
What is Pure Khmer?
Samdech Jayavarman VII!
Who is Jayavarman VII in the 21 century?
I know Samdech Akkak Moha Sena Padei Techo Hunsen from Hanoi!
Any body Know,about Samdech Jayavarman VII?
Tell us!
Thanks!
HOT & INTERESTING NEWS.
we have almost similar problem in Greensboro, NC.
where a Thai monk in total control of Khmer temple.
You guys are acting like preschoolers. After all we are Khmer and we should stop fighting each other. Look at our country, being invaded by foreigner. That's where we should focusing our mind on and stop attacking people with name calling. If people are ignorant of the law then they will face the consequences. We don't know enough to judge them. So stop fighting and unite!
Unite with who? With the crooks?
I just said some khmer people live in usa never helping khmer. Example: Someone working in socialworker,welfare,or any companies.They never worked for khmer they just always looking down of our khmer people.It is differenting from Chines,Vietnames,Korean they always helping for each other. They just known hatting, Jealousing,Racing for each other. I just said why all those khmer forgot the suffered from pol pot regime the same for each other.Only khmer inside the Cambodia country they always helping for each other.Sometimes they saw them each other and they don't talk each other.
1:05 AM, what are you talking about? What do you want those people working for the government and private companies to do for you? They have to follow rules, regulations, and company policies. It's not like you can bribe your way to something in other countries. The best way Cambodians in America can help themselves is to get themselves and their children the best education.
A question to you is: Have you done anything to help yourself or other Cambodians in America?
The buddhis said who do anything wrong that thing will come back to yourself quickly or a little longer.You don't thing no anyone know about you did. You did like that you will destroy all of our khmer cultural. Khmer people don't need khmer like that!!!!!.
1-See Pol Pot Khmer?
2-Noun Chea, is Long Bun Rout, Khoun Chin (Chinese), Thai Nationality!
3-Eng Sary is Kim Tran Vietnamese!
4-Khiev Sampung Chinese-Khmer!
5-Kaing Khe Env Chinese-Khmer!
From CPP
1-Hun Sen his wife Chinese-Khmer!
2-Sok An ,is Chou U An Chinese or Vietnamese-Khmer!
3-Chan Sarun is Ngov Hong Srun Chinese-Khmer!
4- Ho Nam Hong is Khmer?
All are Not Pure Khmer that Represent Khmer Government that Why 3-5 Million Khmer Died?
Most Just change to Khmer Name but Skin and face are not real Khmer!
So Attention look H.E face and skin,Why they care Khmer,If they are not Pure Khmer, EVEN PURE KHMER STILL BETRAY HIS OWN NATIONALITY FOR MONEY?
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