10/21/2008
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES—The president of a Cambodian Buddhist temple in Long Beach has been held in contempt of court and taken into custody for refusing to turn over financial documents in a fierce legal battle over who controls the temple.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Di Loreto had repeatedly demanded that 44-year-old Siphann Tith turn over the temple's assets to a court-appointed receiver.
Tith says he no longer has the temple's books, and that the board has dissolved the nonprofit that ran it.
The judge didn't accept the argument and on Monday declared Tith in contempt.
Two factions of the Long Beach Cambodian community have been fighting over the temple. A group of monks elected its own board in January after Tith had agreed to an election but a dispute arose over who would be able to vote.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Di Loreto had repeatedly demanded that 44-year-old Siphann Tith turn over the temple's assets to a court-appointed receiver.
Tith says he no longer has the temple's books, and that the board has dissolved the nonprofit that ran it.
The judge didn't accept the argument and on Monday declared Tith in contempt.
Two factions of the Long Beach Cambodian community have been fighting over the temple. A group of monks elected its own board in January after Tith had agreed to an election but a dispute arose over who would be able to vote.
That doesn't suprise me. In Lowell, MA is the same thing two temples, fighting each other, other temple have two level. Level 1 & Level 2 seeing each other like heaven and hell. And both temples are fighting each other who raise more $. Couple of days ago, I stated the Khmer non-profit and Monk fund raising are total scam. NOW YOU SEE IT. TRANSFER $ TO THE THREE DECEASE HERO, DO IT YOURSELF OR HAVE RELATIVE OVER THERE ASSIST YOU. NOT BY AGENCY OR NON-PROFIT FUND RAISING.
ReplyDeleteIn Lowell, Mass. both temples are suing each other. The other temples suing each other on level 1 and level 2. I never been to both temples for anything almost 8 years now. Very SAD.
ReplyDeleteThis is no difference from Khmer in Cambodia is fighting Khmer in Thailand for Preah Vihear.
ReplyDeleteDollar makes people forget everything. Khmer never united, but to fight for money. It's a shame for these people. Even contempt of court order, this is not Cambodia. This is America and don't make a fool of yourself like Ah Tith who tries to contempt with the US court. My friend, you're in jail now and cost you more money to get out of jail. If you're a good and honest person, why don't you turn in the book. But, he tried to steel money from the temple.
ReplyDeleteWho know this stupid and idiot guy? Please post his photo on the internet that everyone can see.
Dollar makes people forget everything. Khmer never united, but to fight for money. It's a shame for these people. Even contempt of court order, this is not Cambodia. This is America and don't make a fool of yourself like Ah Tith who tries to contempt with the US court. My friend, you're in jail now and cost you more money to get out of jail. If you're a good and honest person, why don't you turn in the book. But, he tried to steel money from the temple.
ReplyDeleteWho know this stupid and idiot guy? Please post his photo on the internet that everyone can see.
Jail is not as bad as one of the mass graves.
ReplyDeleteDeport all the scums back to where they belong America.
ReplyDeleteSome thing is extremely wrong here. It is a paradox that the temple or the institution should be a place for peace,love, and understanding for the community turns out the be the source of conflicts for the community.
ReplyDeleteWe need to "samatih" some more.
Love Khmer
Ah monkey from Cambodia must stopped from stealing everyone's Temple.
ReplyDeleteLock him up and throw away the key.
ReplyDeleteBetter send him to mass graves along with the monkeys from Cambodia who try to steal temple and land from Khmer people in Thailand.
ReplyDeleteTemple is a place for peace, social interaction and harmony. People that fight in temple including the monks will go to hell. Fighting violates the temple principle that where the temple is where safe haven.
ReplyDeletePagnapavaro
I educated Savorn, Sophann, and antony lee about how the process works, but they would's listen. Now Sophann is not in haven, but in bottom (Narok). What's about Kundy and Sweety who do the bookkeeping and advocate for the temple, are they going to entertain on TV again.
ReplyDeleteKhmerlongbeach