Supreme Court Rules Sect Need Not Pay Up Yet

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Hare Krishna religious sect will not have to sell temples to satisfy a $5-million judgment involving an Orange County mother and daughter until at least after the court considers whether to hear an appeal of the judgment.

The justices’ decision upholds a ruling last week by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who had blocked a California Supreme Court justice’s order that the Hare Krishnas sell some of their assets to pay the award.

An Orange County jury in 1983 awarded $32.5 million to Marsha George of Cypress and her daughter, Robin George, in their lawsuit against the Hare Krishnas. The mother and daughter claimed that the Hare Krishnas had coerced Robin into running away from home and joining the sect at age 14, then hid her from her parents as they searched the country.

The trial judge, James A. Jackman, reduced the award to about $10 million, and the 4th District Court of Appeal further reduced it to $2.9 million plus interest. The interest amounts to more than $2 million.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to meet in early May to decide whether or not to hear the Hare Krishnas’ appeal.

If the high court does not hear it, the case reverts to Judge Jackman for administration of the payment to Marsha George and her daughter, whose married name is Robin Westerkamp. If the court does decide to hear the case, said the Georges’ attorney Lynde Selden II, it could be “another two years” before the issue is decided.

A state judge last month ordered that the Krishnas sell enough assets--which could include five of their temples, including one in Laguna Beach--to pay off the mother and daughter. But the Hare Krishnas argued that the sale would destroy the sect and would interfere with their religious freedom.