Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Ex-doomsday followers fight for money back

Australian Broadcasting Corporation: "One of two civil claims brought against religious group Agape Ministries may be settled out of court, a lawyer has told the Adelaide District Court.

One of the plaintiffs cannot be named because of a temporary suppression order.

That plaintiff and another former church member, Martin Penney, are suing pastor Rocco Leo and two of his associates, Joe Venziano and Mari-Antionette Veneziano.

They want their money back, claiming they handed over more than $400,000 and $1 million respectively to the church based on lies about a doomsday scenario.

A lawyer representing both plaintiffs, David Riggall, told the hearing it was possible the suppressed case may be resolved without going to trial.

'We've had some discussions with my friend (lawyer for the defendants Craig Caldicott) and it's possible there may be some resolution capable of being achieved,' he said."

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