CW: This episode contains reference to sexual abuse, sex trafficking, sex with minors, and prostitution.

This man was a friend and funder of George's in the early days. He bought the two properties on which the "school" operated and stayed there for some time.

Later, he bought a 1500 acre property in Northern CA that had been a resort in the early 20th century. Harbin Hot Springs became a successful retreat center offering New Age events and workshops.

One former employee reports experiences of sexual abuse by Hartley (who became ISHVARA) and others.

WHAT's WRONG WITH HARBIN HOT SPRINGS?

After completing the episode, I learned that Robert Hartley is still alive at 92, still being celebrated as Ishvara, and still resides at Harbin Hot Springs!

Early in the history of Summerlane, when the school was still in upstate New York, a tragic death occurred. A boy named Howie Mehlsack died after being thrown or pushed into a freezing lake.

While we may never know exactly what happened, and while anyone responsible for the death or the coverup is long gone, we have several accounts of the events, and even George's own interpretation. I will get into all of this, and we will be hearing from Stephen again.

George von Hilshiemer claimed to be an ordained minister. For a time, he even called himself a Unitarian minister. He was not!

In this episode, I go through his spurious claims and the ways he used the authority often granted to clergy to serve his own ends.

I also talk about a few cases of clergy misconduct in my own denomination. We are probably the least likely of all faith traditions to harbor pedophiles... and, when it happens, we don't cover it up, or protect the abusers as the Catholic church and other institutions have done.

Here are links to the cases I mention:

RON ROBINSON

DAVID KOHLMEIER

Here's a link to one story about my stepbrother:

ROGER TEES Dismissed

Photo of ROGER TEES