The leaders of Robert Welch University (G. Vance Smith, Wayne Rickert, Walt Ruckel, and Tom Gow) won their lawsuit to retain control of RWU. The Defendants were several individuals, mostly among the new leaders at the John Birch Society, who attempted to seize control of RWU by force based on a contested board meeting. In awarding summary judgment to the plaintiffs, Judge Luebke wrote in part:
“Therefore, under either of the only viable conclusions to be reached in this case, defendants are unable to validate, under the governing rules of RWU, their right or entitlement to do as they did in their efforts to wrest control of RWU from the plaintiffs, or to otherwise justify their efforts on equitable grounds. As such, plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment as to liability issues is granted, subject to trial on damages, if any, they may be entitled to.”
A few days later, in exchange for RWU giving up its claim for damages, a global settlement was worked out, in which the JBS leaders agreed to drop their claims brought against G. Vance Smith, Tom Gow, Wayne Rickert, Walt Ruckel, Keith Van Buskirk, and RWU. The only legal issue still under dispute is the validity of the trust holding a restrictive covenant on the JBS buildings.
Supporters of JBS and RWU should be pleased that the legal battles draining these two organizations are virtually ended. This does not mean, however, that any of the views of the disputing parties have been reconciled, particularly about what needs to be done at JBS to lead the freedom fight to victory.
Please check back frequently as I intend to continue providing insight and information relative to both JBS and RWU.
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