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Posted: 7:07 PM May 20, 2008
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. Reporter: Mikel LauberEmail Address: mlauber@wsaw.com  Secrets in Shawano: Part 2: The Community Impact |
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285 Comments 
For the better part of 20 years, community members say Rama Behera and his followers, who have called themselves the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, 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. "They've changed their view on what they're doing”, said Wescott Town Chairman Mike Schuler. “They say they're purchasing these buildings so they can make some money to build an international boarding school sometime."
Alan Eisenberg, an attorney for Avraham Cohen and Samanta Roy's nonprofit institute, says a school is still the goal. "He wants to bring thousands if not millions of Americans into the 21st century of science and technology”, said Eisenberg. “Into the computer age, the computer era, the technology era."
Land records show the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology (S.I.S.T.) and it's subsidiaries own dozens of businesses and properties in Shawano, which local officials say are operated and staffed by Cohen’s followers.
We went into several businesses owned by S.I.S.T. and related companies and spoke to employees. Most either denied a connection to Cohen, or refused to comment at all. But we recorded one employee in the group's gift and fudge shop speaking about the relationship between Cohen’s religion and businesses. "They might have their own religion. That is what they believe. That doesn't go past where they keep it, their meeting room or whatever”, she said. “It doesn't go past that into the businesses. It's strictly business where businesses are, and religion where religion is."
She went on to state that she believes their religious group, and others making headlines in the United States are persecuted. "There's supposedly a freedom of religion in the United States”, she stated. “Well, I happen to think there's something wrong with that from what I hear in Texas, but anyway... I won't go there."
But besides what the businesses are for, questions are also raised by local officials and business owners about the way S.I.S.T. does business. Land records show that Samanta Roy's companies began buying businesses in the city of Shawano around the year 2000. Many of those businesses are downtown properties that have remained vacant ever since.
Jeff Kirchner is a downtown business owner who is also on a committee attempting to improve Shawano’s downtown. He says filling those vacant properties would certainly improve their downtown. "I think we'd like to get those buildings filled or at least spruced up or fixed up or interest in them”, he says. “It would only enhance the ability to rent them.”
Local business owners say attempts to rent or buy vacant S.I.S.T. properties have, so far, not been accepted. And officials say the only S.I.S.T.-owned businesses operating are those that were open when they were purchased.
But Cohen's attorney says there are plans for the vacant properties. "There are plans. The city has known about the plans for a long time”, said Eisenberg. “A leading Wisconsin realtor will be marketing the availability of the properties next week."
Officials tell me they've heard of plans before, but as of today, nothing has changed. "We were promised four years ago that a number of them would be open”, said Chairman Mike Schuler. “But none of them are."
Those businesses that are open have also seen their share of mysteries. When we stopped by the three S.I.S.T.-owned gas stations in Shawano, all three had run out of gas - a common occurrence, according to local residents.
And the group has a history of problems paying taxes on time. According to documents obtained from the Shawano County Treasurer, the businesses and Cohen, under the name Samanta Roy, currently owe thousands of dollars in overdue taxes. And in the past, their gas stations and motels have had licensees revoked until payments were caught up.
Kal Gronvall, a former member of S.I.S.T.’s board of directors has fired back at criticism by circulating pamphlets in the Shawano area calling Mayor Lorna Marquardt and law enforcement racist. One pamphlet states, “Shawano has become Nazi Germany under Lorna Marquardt, the Hitler.”
Mayor Marquardt has filed suit for defamation. Her case is still pending.
Despite complaints from residents and city leaders, Cohen’s lawyer believes people are glad to have these businesses operating in Shawano. "Why would they come to these businesses by the thousands? In droves?”, Eisenberg asks. “He's bringing health, wealth, and prosperity to Shawano. And people love him for it."
But Shawano Police Chief Ed Whealon says people are wary about the increasingly twisted and complicated relationship between Cohen, his followers, and businesses. "Businesses are conducted that would not make ordinary business sense”, he said. “And it's a complicated, intertwined issue. It's hard for people who aren't from the area to get a grasp and understand what it's all about.”
Latest Comments
Wake up all ye parrots. The great hindhu wannabe jew hath had a light bulb go off in his head that all of his monkees hath put their feet their mouths...so alas he hath zipped their lips! He did not want anymore truths being exposed to the public. I mean money laundering, molestation, are enough for all to ponder on! I wish some of you slaves would carry an umbrella around so I didn't get skin cancer too! I will give you sweet salvation if you do! think about it!
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So, do you still stand when that creep walks into a room? Does he really still have girls follow him around with shoe shine and papertowls??? "The Papertowl Girls" This creep has used everyone that has posted on this board and everyone else. Its just that some of us have realized and opened our eyes to see that we were used and really, we are not happy about it at all. It rather frusterating that you guys don't see that you are being used. I see it happening. How is he using you??? You are coming on here being his mouthpiece. He's using you to do his talking for him. Get away from this creep. What person in his right mind takes 2 "WHITE" girls and says that they are his kids??? Guys/Girls/Parrots, get out!!! Strip clubs need some new patrons!
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Something smells in here...must be another vision from Elijah...
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