Christian sect investigated by the FBI under pressure to reveal wealth
SOURCE:ABC Australia|BY:Tobi Loftus
Survivors of a secretive Christian sect, under investigation by the FBI, say it is hiding wealth through trusts, blocking access to abuse compensation.
Survivors of a secretive Christian sect central to a global child sexual abuse investigation are demanding its leaders disclose how much wealth the group controls.
Warning: Readers are advised this article discusses sexual abuse.
They say a lack of financial transparency is preventing victims from accessing compensation.
The sect has no official name. Members refer to it as the Truth or the Way, while critics commonly call it the Two by Twos. Some refer to it as a cult.
In Australia, it has also operated under names including Undenominational Christians and Non-denominational Christians.
The sect holds yearly conventions at properties around Australia, where large tents are set up for prayer sessions. (Supplied)
Founded in Ireland in the late 1800s, the sect follows a strict interpretation of the Bible, with members meeting in private homes for worship.
Its ministers, known as workers, move between cities and countries in groups of two, and followers are encouraged to avoid modern media and wear conservative clothing.
The FBI have launched a webpage where it's asking victims of abuse within the Two by Twos to come forward. (ABC News: Tobi Loftus)
It has a presence across most Australian states and territories.
Hundreds of alleged victims
In Australia and New Zealand, a survivor hotline called The Brave Truth has received reports from about 300 alleged victims, alleging abuse from about 200 perpetrators.
Not all of these allegations have been proven in a court of law and a number go back several decades.
The hotline is run by Brisbane resident and former member Jillian Hishon, who said survivors were increasingly demanding transparency around the sect's finances in the hope compensation could be accessed.
Jillian Hishon runs the Brave Truth hotline. (ABC News: Tobi Loftus)
"It's an unknown quantity [how much money the sect has]," Ms Hishon said.
"They get left money in wills and estates. There is no tracking of it, that's why it's so hard to know.
"We've heard numbers of $50 million worth of funds in trusts.
"But because there is no financial transparency, you're left to guess really exactly what the money gets spent on."
Ms Hishon said members were often told by leaders that the group had no money.
How sect manages finances
But documents obtained by the ABC show the sect relies on followers and private trusts to pay for property, insurance and fund internal investigations into abuse allegations.
In January 2023, one of the sect's senior leaders, overseer Graeme Dalton, wrote to members explaining that a convention site near Mudgee in New South Wales — owned by three individuals — was due to be sold.
Convention sites are typically rural properties owned by members or held in trust, where followers gather for several days of Bible study.
"The proceeds of that [Mudgee] sale can be used for any improvements at other grounds … or the support of workers and needs overseas," Mr Dalton wrote in the 2023 letter seen by the ABC.
The site sold in June this year for $1.55 million.
However, in response to ABC questions, Mr Dalton walked back those comments from 2023 and said the convention grounds were "privately owned or privately managed under trust arrangements" and the "fellowship does not direct or receive funds".
"The recent sale of the Mudgee site was conducted in accordance with the trust deed and the responsibilities of the trustees," he said.
"Funds from the sale are directed by the trustees and are not controlled or allocated by workers or overseers; workers are neither trustees nor beneficiaries.
"Decisions regarding the sale and use of proceeds are matters for the trustees, who have changed over time, and are separate from the fellowship's ongoing activities."
Insurance and investigations
The ABC can also reveal the sect holds a wide-ranging public liability insurance policy under the name Undenominational Christians, issued by insurer ACS Financial.
The policy is used to book halls and other venues for events.
"Our public liability insurance is funded by private individuals and includes child sexual abuse cover," Mr Dalton said.
In October, the group's overseer in Western Australia, Steve Thorpe, emailed members saying a law firm had been commissioned to investigate abuse allegations, but that the investigation was funded independently by members.
"I wish to make it clear that we workers were not involved in the payment aspect of this investigation ... nor did we offer any of the money that has been given into our responsibility by anyone to pay for this. It has been funded by some amongst you. I do not know who funded it," he said.
This use of private trusts and member-funded expenses appears to be replicated internationally.
Believers meet yearly at convention sites like this one to pray and learn about the sect's beliefs. (Supplied)
Calls for compensation
In October, former member Laura McConnell-Conti told the Victoria Parliament's Inquiry into the Recruitment Methods and Impacts of Cults that the sect "refuses to register church entities or corporate entities and implement legally binding accountability structures anywhere in the world".
"They operate in cash donations and then, in my experience, siphon the money through wealthy Truth Two by Twos' legitimate businesses,"
she said.
"They also utilise family trusts with wealthy and trusted families rather than clergy listed as the trustees.
Laura McConnell-Conti grew up in the Two by Twos. (Supplied: Laura McConnell-Conti)
Wings for Truth, an advocacy organisation for survivors of the sect, estimates there may be thousands of trusts connected to the sect worldwide, with combined assets possibly exceeding $500 million.
Ms Hishon said survivors wanted leaders to acknowledge resources and assist victims.
"They need to stop saying that 'We've got no money, we don't have bank accounts' and admit to what they have," she said.
"We know that they've been left lots and lots of money in estates. They get given lots of money.
"It needs to be going to survivors."
Jillian Hishon wants to see the sect become more transparent. (ABC News: Tobi Loftus)
'Committed' to preventing abuse
Mr Dalton said the fellowship was still intending to participate in the National Redress Scheme.
"All required information was provided on or before July 2024, and we have been advised that our application is progressing appropriately, with no further action required from us at this stage," he said.
"We will continue to monitor progress and provide any additional assistance as requested.
"While we appreciate the challenges involved in administering the Scheme, we are nonetheless disappointed by the ongoing delays in the processing of applications."
Sites on the convention site are turned into communal dining areas. (Supplied)
He said all workers in Australia were now required to complete child sexual abuse awareness training and hold Working With Children checks.
"We remain committed to preventing any incidents of harm or abuse in Australia or New Zealand,"