More Headlines
- Former Members' Documents, Tapes Give Close Look at Shawano Sect
A look at the history of Rama Behera and the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ - and their relationship to the modern-day S.I.S.T.
197 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano: Fliers Defending SIST Distributed in Madison, Milwaukee
Fliers, which appear to have been written by CEO of the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, or SIST, have been showing up on vehicles in Madison and Milwaukee.
4 Comments
- FBI Investigation in Shawano Offers No New Answers One Year Later
For one year, the FBI has simply told 60 officials and residents of the Shawano area to be watchful, and vigilant after their names appeared on an apparent hit list. But with no new answers from the FBI, those on the list are asking why.
0 Comments
- NEW INFO: Federal Judge Delays SIST Bankruptcy Dismissal
Even though he says they only have a slim chance of successfully appealing their bankruptcy case, the judge says he's giving the stay to The Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, or SIST.
1 Comment
- Secrets in Shawano: SIST Appeals Bankruptcy Dismissal
The Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology has appealed a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge's decision to dismiss their bankruptcy protection. They have also changed lawyers in the bankruptcy case.
2 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano: No Criminal Charges in Shawano Hit List Investigation
The U.S. Attorneys Office says there isn't enough evidence to file criminal charges in connection to an apparent hit-list, with the names of 60 Shawano area officials and citizens.
4 Comments
- SIST Bankruptcy Case Dismissed by Federal Judge/FBI Probe in Hands of U.S. Attorneys
The group that has been the source of questions and controversy in the Shawano area is no longer under the protection of Federal Bankruptcy Court.
7 Comments
- NEW INFO: SIST Lists More Than 200 Creditors in Bankruptcy Filing
The Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, or SIST, says they owe money to more than 200 individuals and businesses, including a number of SIST members, according to Federal Court documents filed this week.
78 Comments
- NEW INFO: SIST, Related Businesses File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
The Chief Executive Officer of The Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology says intentional business interference, organized negative publicity, and the economic downturn are to blame for a bankruptcy protection filing.
17 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano Featured on CBS Evening News
(CBS) At the annual holiday parade in scenic Shawano, Wisc., for the first time someone was missing this year. The long-time mayor was nowhere in sight. She was afraid for her life, CBS News cheif investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports.
- FBI Informant Speaks About Shawano Hit-List
Bob Cameron says he never had any intentions of hurting anyone. But Shawano Law Enforcement says a list of names the Canadian businessman received sparked the F.B.I.’s investigation.
61 Comments
- CBS Evening News Works with NewsChannel 7 on Shawano Report
NewsChannel 7's Secrets in Shawano series took us all the way to New York City where we worked with Armen Keteyian, the Chief Investigative Correspondent for the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.
11 Comments
- Man Connected to SIST Wanted on Unrelated Warrant
The Shawano County Sheriff's Department wants your help looking for a man they say has connections to the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology. The Sheriff says Kalmar Gronvall is wanted on a warrant not related to the F.B.I. investigation of the group in connection to apparent threats.
22 Comments
- NEW INFO: SIST Member Seen in YouTube Videos Arrested
Zachariah Sindt, who can be seen in a recent series of Youtube videos criticizing Shawano City officials, has been arrested in Shawano on an unrelated warrant.
70 Comments
- SIST Member Appears in YouTube Videos Criticizing Shawano Leaders
A series of videos posted to YouTube attack and criticize Shawano City leaders. Officials say it appears the videos were posted by members of the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, which has been the subject of an F.B.I. investigation.
58 Comments
- Alleged Threats Could Impact Shawano Holiday Parade
The City of Shawano's holiday parade on December 5th will take place with added caution, because of an active F.B.I. investigation into apparent threats made against a number of local leaders.
2 Comments
- Attorney: Shawano Group's CEO Released From Custody
The attorney for The Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology says the groups CEO has been released from federal custody. Naomi Isaacson was arrested a week ago on a federal warrant.
9 Comments
- Watch the Secrets in Shawano Recap Show
Here's the Secrets in Shawano Special Report that Aired November 19, 2008. In includes the previous Secrets in Shawano stories from early 2008, as well as the latest information.
32 Comments
- NEW INFO: FBI's Shawano Hit List Informant Speaks Out
The Canadian man who brought an alleged Shawano hit list to the FBI's attention wants his side of the story known. Today, someone is circulating a fax calling the man a ‘hit man’ and a terrorist.
34 Comments
- NEW INFO: SIST CEO Transported to Federal Facility by U.S. Marshals
Naomi Isaacson, the CEO of the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, has been taken into the custody of Federal Marshals.
66 Comments
- Authorities Urge Shawano Residents to Remain Confident
At a press conference Friday, the Shawano police chief said authorities believe members of the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology targeted people who have stood in their way, but he also asked fearful residents to be confident in their investigation.
19 Comments
- Watch the Joint Press Conference between the Shawano County Sheriff's Department and Shawano City Police Department Here
Watch the entire press conference from the Shawano County Sheriff's Department and the Shawano City Police Department from Friday November 14, 2008.
20 Comments
- SIST Denies Involvement with Hit List - Read News Release Here
Hours before being arrested on a Federal warrant, Naomi Issacson, the C.E.O. of the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology issued a statement saying Shawano City officials created the ‘hit list’ that is the subject of an F.B.I. investigation to enflame and terrorize to public, and bring about S.I.S.T.’s demise.
21 Comments
- NEW INFO: S.I.S.T. CEO Taken into Custody
S.I.S.T. CEO Naomi Isaacson was taken into custody Friday morning after arriving at the Shawano City Hall after 10 a.m.
31 Comments
- NEW INFO: Shawano City Council Meeting Held Under Tense Conditions
The Shawano City Council held a regularly scheduled council meeting under some very tense conditions Wednesday night. A hit list uncovered by the F.B.I. has the names of 60 people from the Shawano community, including members of Law Enforcement, the Mayor, and other leaders present at Wednesday's meeting.
31 Comments
- NEW INFO: Law Enforcement Says Shawano "Hit List" Connected to S.I.S.T.
FBI agents say they're investigating a list with the names of sixty people in the Shawano area, threatening them with Federal crimes. At a meeting with potential victims, law enforcement said the Rama Behera and "The Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology" are being investigated in connection to the list.
19 Comments
- Depositions of SIST Members Held in Shawano Mayor's Lawsuit
Shawano Mayor Lorna Marquardt's lawsuit against the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology is now one step closer to reaching a conclusion. Depositions of three key members of S.I.S.T. were held in Shawano Monday.
129 Comments
- NewsChannel 7 Nominated for 2 Emmy Awards
Newschannel 7 is proud to announce two stories we brought you this year are now nominated for Emmy Awards.
6 Comments
- SIST Loses $190,000 Federal Lawsuit
The Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology and two of its subsidiaries have been ordered in Federal Court to pay $190,000 for bills unpaid by the USA International Raceway.
10 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano: Mayor's Lawsuit Moves Forward in Marathon County
A lawsuit against the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology and related businesses is moving forward in Marathon County.
98 Comments
- NEW INFO: SIST-Related Businesses Among Those Denied License Renewals
The City of Shawano is refusing to renew licenses for a handful of Shawano businesses because of unpaid property taxes.
43 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano: Part 4: Allegations From Inside
A glimpse of life inside Avraham Cohen's group may lie in accounts on file at the Shawano County Sheriff's Department, as told by people who grew up as the so-called "true disciples".
437 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano: Part 3: The Hotel Controversy
Recently, one of the hotels Avraham Cohen owns is drawing complaints and protests because it's the site of private adult parties hosted by a swingers group called ‘Share Your Secrets’.
271 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano: Part 2: The Community Impact
For the better part of 20 years, community members say Rama Behera and his followers had remained mostly under-the-radar. But local officials say in recent years, the group has seemed to shift their focus, by buying millions of dollars worth of buildings and businesses around the city of Shawano.
289 Comments
- Secrets in Shawano: Part 1: The Group and Their Leader
Cults and extreme religious groups are grabbing headlines these days. After learning that another controversial group is operating right here in North Central Wisconsin, NewsChannel 7 set out to learn more about it, its members, and its elusive leader.
214 Comments
- "Secrets in Shawano" Special Report to Begin Monday on NewsChannel 7
NewsChannel 7 is beginning its series of special reports Monday on an extreme religious group in Shawano and their history and impact on the community. They're called The Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and are led by a man known as Avraham Cohen.
28 Comments
The Original Series
Part 1: The Group and Their LeaderPart 2: The Community Impact
Part 3: The Hotel Controversy
Part 4: Allegations From Inside
30-Minute Special Program
Links, Docs and Video
Secrets in Shawano HomeRick Ross Institute: Rama Behera Info
Publications by Fmr. SIST Board of Dir.
Share Your Secrets (adults only)
Shawano-Wisconsin.com
Documents
DOJ Response to Public Docs Request
Statement: Victim of Fmr. SIST Member
Statement: Fmr. SIST Member
Suspicious Vehicle Report vs. WSAW-TV
R. Behara Name Change to S. Roy
S. Roy Name Change to A. Cohen
Rama Behera Incidents Complaint 1
Rama Behera Incidents Complaint 2
Video
Gaeland Priebe: Daily Life Inside SIST
Elina Lane: Abuse Inside SIST
Order a Copy of a Story
NewsChannel 7 is making available copies of "Secrets in Shawano." Click the link below for details and to download the video waiver form.Order your copy
