Statement of the GBC Executive Committee

01-15-2007, 03:00 AM

10 January 2007

Dear Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

New discussions have recently been going on about criminal activities that
took place in New Vrindavana in the 1980s. These events were thoroughly
investigated by the United States Attorney's Office, which contains some of
the finest attorneys in the country, and several individuals were prosecuted
and convicted. The case has now been closed for almost two decades.

The GBC is not a legal or law enforcement agency. It is an ecclesiastical
body that lacks the resources to match the ability of the federal government
to deal with these matters. All it can do is refer such matters to the
appropriate legal authorities. We can simply state below the facts of the
case as we understand them:

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spent several years
investigating the Sulocana case, and other serious legal problems with the
New Vrindavana community. These were conducted in tandem with the United
States Attorney in West Virginia.

In addition, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the murder of
Sulocana dasa as a California state case, and they also gave evidence in the
federal case. Law officers from West Virginia were also involved.

There were two federal trials and a major grand jury hearing regarding
Kirtanananda dasa. Tirtha dasa was also tried, both in California and West
Virginia. (Kirtanananda served a lengthy prison term. Tirtha is still in
prison.) These extensive government investigations and trials contained
nothing to substantiate the allegations brought forward by Janmastami dasa
against Radhanath Swami.

There were no charges of any kind brought against Radhanath Swami. This was
despite the fact that as part of the overall investigation Radhanath Swami
was interrogated by the Western Region FBI Director, LAPD investigators,
federal prosecutors, and two grand juries. He was cleared by all these
agencies of any involvement in wrongdoing.

A week ago, on January 3rd, 2007, Michael Stein, United States Attorney and
the lead federal prosecutor for the case, after hearing the recent
allegations from Janmastami dasa, stated:

"We looked at everyone in New Vrindavana, particularly those higher on the
ring. Radhanath Swami could have been an influence [in this crime] but he
wasn't."

Stein went on to say that there was no evidence whatsoever that Radhanath
Swami had any involvement in the crime and that Radhanath Swami was never
considered a defendant. When asked, he said there was no question of further
investigations based on the allegations of Janmastami. US Attorney Stein
concluded by saying that he personally "vouched for" Radhanath Swami's
credibility.

Given the above, the GBC finds no reasons to take these allegations
seriously. The GBC recommends that any person in possession of newly
discovered evidence regarding the New Vrindavana events present such
information to the U.S. Attorney's Office or other appropriate legal agency.
If any subsequent investigation might ensue, the GBC will fully cooperate
with it.

Finally, the GBC asked Radhanath Swami if he would like to make a statement
regarding these allegations. He wrote:

"I do not have the time, health, or energy to get into Internet debates, and
as I'm trying to be a Vaishnava, I'm reluctant to defend myself from such
assaults of character.

"But for the purpose of clarification, my comments are as follows:

"In 1993 New Vrindavana community members were informed about the spiritual
problems Kirtanananda Swami was having. Janmastami dasa was furious, and
told me that Kirtanananda Swami was the perfect acarya, and that anything
said about him was all vicious lies. He said he held me responsible for
being the leader of a conspiracy against Kirtanananda Swami and that I would
be "destroyed." Since then he has repeatedly threatened me and other members
of the New Vrindavana community.

"As far as what Janmastami dasa has written on the Internet, every single
allegation against me is totally false. I was not involved in any criminal
activity.

"On a personal note, I have nothing against Janmastami Prabhu and only wish
the best for him.

Your servant,
Radhanath Swami"

Your servants,
ISKCON GBC Executive Committee