Wapakoneta Daily News - 9/20/00
Former Way president stripped of clergy title

By WILLIAM LANEY

Staff Writer


NEW KNOXVILLE -- L. Craig Martindale, the former president of The Way International who resigned April 20 following allegations of sex and abuse involving The Way members, has been stripped of his clergy title by the religious organization's board of trustees.

Rico Magnelli, public relations coordinator for The Way, confirmed the board decision this morning and added that Martindale is seeking "secular employment."

He did not elaborate.

The Evening Leader of St. Marys has received several telephone calls regarding a statement apparently issued by The Way International officials imposing sanctions against Martindale. According to the phone calls and a Web site called WayDale, Martindale has been stripped of his clergy title, has been dropped from the active Way Corps, is no longer on staff at The Way International, will no longer be allowed to live at the organization's national headquarters in New Knoxville and has been put on "spiritual probation."

WayDale is a Web site of former members of The Way who have become disgruntled with the organization.

According to one source, The Way board members reached the decision on Thursday, and faxed messages were sent to regional and state offices nationwide. Then, The Way officials were to make the announcement to followers. The last announcement reportedly was made at at 12 a.m. today.

"The board of trustees have considered these matters very seriously at length and made our decisions because it was the right thing to do," Magnelli said is a prepared statement Tuesday. "We have had to respect everyone's interest here. This is all we are prepared to say on the matter at this time, as we don't believe it warrants public discussion." 

Magnelli said the matter would not be discussed further because of pending litigation in Shelby County Common Pleas Court. Martindale and other officials of The Way International have been named as defendants in two separate civil lawsuits filed in Common Pleas Court in Sidney.

The Allens filed a suit in April seeking up to $2 million in punitive damages from Martindale and the New Knoxville-based religious organization for alleged breach of contract, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud in a fiduciary capacity, defamation of character and civil conspiracy. Their suit also alleges The Way and its leadership engaged in a "pattern of corrupt activity" as defined by the Ohio Revised Code "including, but not limited to acts of theft, fraud, coercion, assault and rape."

Ms. Parker filed a similar suit in early June alleging she was subjected to breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unjust enrichment, civil conspiracy, racketeer influence and corrupt organization. Her lawsuit is seeking $25,000, as well as punitive damages, attorney's fees and any other awards determined by the court.

In the complaint, Parker, who was recruited by The Way in the winter of 1978 and became an employee of the organization, alleges The Way and its leadership breached their contract with her by "creating impossible working conditions including, but not limited to, requiring (Parker) to submit to sexual assault as a condition of continued employment" with the organization.

Parker also claimed in the complaint that The Way misused its fiduciary relationship with her "so as to cause the failure of (Parker's) marriage, to coerce (Parker) into taking obscene photographs of Defendant Rev. Martindale and to posing for similar photographs."

Parker further claimed The Way leaders shared confidential information about the female members of The Way, including herself, with other members of The Way.