Guru Pleads Innocent to Fraud Charges

Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, his hands in shackles, pleaded innocent to immigration fraud charges today at a federal court hearing.

About 35 disciples stood and folded their hands in a prayerful gesture as the sect’s 53-year-old leader entered the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Edward Leavy.

Rajneesh smiled and gestured back to his personal secretary, Ma Prem Hasya. He wore a green robe and a hat he was asked to remove when the judge entered the courtroom.

“Not guilty,” Rajneesh responded in a soft but clear voice when asked by the judge how he pleaded. He was charged with conspiring to arrange sham marriages for disciples to circumvent immigration laws and of lying to immigration officials about his intentions to remain in the country.

Leavy then listened as attorneys for the guru attempted once again to win his release from jail, citing his poor health. Federal magistrate in North Carolina refused to free him on bond a week ago, citing his “disposition to flight” and the availability of people and money he would need to leave the country.

The guru and six followers were arrested Oct. 28 in Charlotte, N.C., when they arrived aboard two rented Learjets. Authorities alleged that Rajneesh had been tipped to a 35-count Oregon indictment and was trying to flee to Bermuda to avoid prosecution.

The guru denied that, saying he was being taken to a “safe place” for a few days due to death threats.

Rajneesh was returned to Oregon Thursday night aboard a federal marshal’s jet.