Story with links at: http://www.cultnews.com/?p=2104

"Cult" busted in Maine – Things Get Scary for John and Mary Miller

The Gentle Wind Project (GWP) founded by John and Mary "Moe" Miller
sued its critics Judy Garvey and her husband James Bergin apparently
hoping to silence the couple, but instead called attention to its
practices, finances and leadership.

(photo: 'John Miller')

After two years of litigation it looks like GWP is experiencing
something of a meltdown.

The Millers sued former followers Garvey/Bergin because their Web
site shared insider information about GWP through the Internet. The
Miller's lawsuit alleged defamation and slander.

When the Ross Institute (RI), which sponsors CultNews, posted a link
to the critical Web site GWP began a "war of words" with its
perceived enemies through its own Web site.

RI gave GWP a "Flaming Websites" award.

However, John and Mary didn't think that was funny so they sued RI
too. And they also legally threatened and/or sued others including a
man in New Zealand for calling GWP a "cult."

GWP is a controversial "nonprofit" organization that manufactures so-
called "healing instruments" in the form of plastic cards and pucks,
which they claim, have healing powers.


(Photo: 'Healing puck'?)

CultNews reported in 2004 that a Special Investigative Agency in
California looked into GWP and announced that its claims were "not
supported by any scientific evidence."

But John and "Moe" say the secret plans for their instruments come
from outer space. And how can you disprove that?

Shades of Scientology and its story about Xenu?

Press reports began to pile up about GWP after the lawsuit was
filed, which brought growing attention to the group and a continuous
stream of interesting court documents. All of this afforded RI
enough material to launch a subsection within its database about the
group.

This once little known organization had become a news story as more
and more interest was garnered through its lawsuit.

Is that the kind of attention what John and "Moe" Miller really
wanted?

Probably not.

Instead of silencing their critics the Millers had effectively
provided them with a platform to share their story. Meanwhile John
and "Moe" were draining their once considerable financial resources
on court costs, while simultaneously watching GWP revenues decline
due to bad press.

In the new "Information Age" the Internet has seemingly become a
nightmare for some groups called "cults" that rely upon the control
of information.

Now anyone with Internet access can read what former members have to
say about GWP and follow the Miller's saga in the press through
archived articles.

The most recent article about GWP includes information about an
apparent liquidation of the group's assets. Property accumulated by
the group in Maine is being sold off to finance its legal fees and
court costs.

Meanwhile Garvey/Bergin have received some pro bono help from
lawyers interested in defending First Amendment free speech rights.

Again and again withering judicial decisions have come down, which
have left the Millers with what appears to be a hopeless legal
situation.

RI was dismissed out of the GWP lawsuit some time ago and so was the
defendant in New Zealand, various causes of action have also been
stripped away and then the whole case was tossed out of federal
court.

Did all this discourage or dissuade the Millers?

Apparently not.

John and Mary "Moe" refiled their suit in a Maine State court
seemingly oblivious to both their legal situation and worsening
circumstances.

This month delivered what may be the final blow to GWP and perhaps
last significant twist to the story. The Millers have been sued by
the Attorney General of Maine.

That's right, the plaintiffs have become defendants. But unlike the
lawsuits they have filed the Millers face very serious litigation.

The Attorney General of Maine has alleged that GWP engaged in no
less than 13 violations of the state's Unfair Trade Practices Act.

(Photo: 'Puck anyone?')

In court documents filed this month GWP is accused of lying about
medical studies that supposedly proved their instruments worked.

A spokesman for Maine's top prosecutor told the press, "We're trying
to put them out of business and we want restitution for the people
who have been taken."

Things are getting scary for John and Mary.

It seems that the Millers would have been better off if they had
simply ignored their critics and/or laughed off any criticism rather
than drawing so much attention to themselves through lawsuits.

It has been said that "pride comes before a fall." And perhaps
purported "cults" and their leaders have more pride and hubris than
almost anyone else does.

The Millers once controlled a spiritual empire, but now they may end
up broke.

The growing legal storm swirling around the pair is hardly a "gentle
wind" and may just blow GWP to bits.

Perhaps the moral of this story is that controversial groups hoping
to sue into silence their perceived enemies should consider the
consequences carefully before filing such frivolous litigation.

They should consider if they have anything to hide?

And if they can afford the public scrutiny that often accompanies
such litigation?

The Millers apparently never gave such things serious consideration.

It seems that John and "Moe" Miller of Maine must now face the
consequences for that blunder.

Note: GWP has a new nonprofit spin-off registered in New Hampshire
called "Allies for Trauma Relief." Despite the new name and no
mention of GWP at the organization's Web site, people are still
holding the cards called "healing instruments" made by GWP
for "relief."