Tax records for the associated ROJ courts #76 (Wichita, KS), #24 (Albuquerque, NM), #161 (Long Beach, CA), #36 (New Orleans, LA) and #90 (Jacksonville, FL) show that, in some cases, over $100,000 is spent annually on "travel, conventions and meetings" so the non profit Jesters can "hold annual events which were devoted to fraternalism and spreading the gospel of mirth and good cheer" while claiming these trips as deductions at tax payer expense.
These tax returns are available at www.guidestar.org.
The Wichita Court #24 reported to the IRS that they spent $122,102 in 2006 for the exempt purpose of "recreation, entertainment and companionship."
The Albuquerque Court #24 apparently does not file tax returns as none are available through Guidestar.org.
The Long Beach Court #161 reported to the IRS that they spent $82,543 in 2006 as "benefits paid to members."
This group's tax return also reports that the books are in care of Phillip Spellens, Secretary, who also signed the return. The same Jesters court reported to the IRS that they spent $69,840 in 2005 as "benefits paid to members" and that Doug Boynton was President.
The New Orleans Court # 36 reported to the IRS that they spent $101,214 in 2006 on "conferences, conventions and meetings" while failing to list an exempt purpose. The same group reported to the IRS that they spent $106,218 in 2005 for "conferences, conventions and meetings" while, again, failing to list an exempt purpose but instead writing "Hurricane Katrina" at the top of this less than complete tax return. The same group reported to the IRS that they spent $145,600.39 in 2004 for "conferences, conventions and meetings" while, again, failing to list an exempt purpose. Listed, however, was the expense of $4,777.50 for hats.
The Jacksonville Court #90 reported to the IRS that they spent $80,397 in 2006 on "conferences, conventions and meetings" while failing to list an exempt purpose. They also spent $79,984 in 2005 and $83, 250 in 2004 while failing, again, to list an exempt purpose.
Also named on the witness list is Jane Doe, 1 – 5, who each "has personal knowledge of prostitution, minor prostitution, use of illegal drugs, and/or entry into Indian reservations by Schair and/or his customers." Jane Doe is described as a minor recruited and/or coerced by Plaintiffs and/or Plaintiff's representatives for prostitution services for certain of the Plaintiffs' customers in Brazil during approximately the year of 2000, 2004 and 2005.
Five girls gave statements to Brazil federal police officers last year who are investigating "minor Indian and other girls living near the rivers in the region of the Municipality of Autazes/AM who became victims of sexual exploitation by North-American foreign tourists."
These girls told the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, Federal Police Department that they were, at the time of the alleged minor prostitution, aged 13, 14, 16. One of the 16 year olds stated that her 14 year old sister was also recruited. All the girls state they were lured onto the fishing boat by someone named "Richard."
The 13 year old reported that she was a victim of sexual abuse perpetuated by a group of foreigners, North Americans, who asked for her services aboard their fishing vessel, the Amazon Santana. She was told that her job would consist of doing "the general services of the vessel, such as sweeping, laundry and assisting in the food preparation." She accepted because her family needed the money and after boarding the vessel with other girls, learned that "she would have to have sex and to drink whiskey and beer with the foreigners." She also told authorities that she spent three days and three nights on the vessel and that each day she had sex with a different foreigner and that she became pregnant during this occasion not knowing which one of the foreigners was the father and that after the birth of her son, she and her Mother were thrown out their home.
Girl 2, aged 14, states that in August, 2005, "Richard" promised to pay her R$200 (Two hundred Reais) but was paid only R$50. This translates to being promised $119.76 but instead paid $29.94 per night. Girl 3, aged 16, states that in September, 2005, "Richard" promised to pay her R$200 to R$300 for 2-3 days work but was instead paid R$80 the first day and R$50 the second day. This translates to being promised $119.81 - $179.71 and instead being paid $47.92 and $29.95. Girl 4, aged 16, states that in August of 2005, she and her 14 year old sister were promised by "Richard" to be paid R$100 per night but were instead paid R$35 each night. This translates to being promised $59.88 per night and instead being paid $20.95.
These statements allege the crime otherwise known as "child sex tourism."
President George W. Bush told the UN General Assembly in September, 2003 that:
"There's a special evil in the abuse and exploitation of the most innocent and vulnerable. The victims of sex trade see little of life before they see the very worst of life -- an underground of brutality and lonely fear."
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