Unless you've been living in a cave, you've probably heard about the Grand Master of West Virginia, Charlie Montgomery, expelling without benefit of trial Past Grand Master Frank Haas in late 2007.M.W. Haas is now suing M.W. Montgomery, along with M.W. Charles Coleman, PGM, and the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, a corporation, as well as unnamed John Does.
When you serve meThe text of Haas' lawsuit follows.
And I serve you
Swing your partners, all get screwed
Bring your lawyer
And I'll bring mine
Get together, and we could have
a bad time.
We're gonna play
the sue me,
sue you blues.
— "The Sue Me Sue You Blues," by George Harrison
In the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia
Case 08-C-1035
Judge James Stucky
PLAINTIFFS: FRANK JOSEPH HAAS
DEFENDANTS: CHARLIE L. MONTGOMERY, Individually, and as the Grand Master of Masons of the State of West Virginia, and as member and agent of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of West Virginia, Inc.; CHARLES F. COLEMAN, Individually, and as member and agent of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of West Virginia, Inc.; MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC., a West Virginia corporation; and unknown JOHN DOES, individually, and as members and agents of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of West Virginia, Inc.; the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons ofthe State of West Virginia, Inc. (hereinafter "Defendant Grand Lodge"); and unknown John Does, individually, and as members and agents of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of West Virginia, Inc. (hereinafter "John Doe Defendants"), and alleges as follows:
The Parties
1. Plaintiff, Frank Joseph Haas, is a citizen and resident of Wellsburg, West Virginia, and was, until November 21,2007, a distinguished, highly regarded and respected Mason throughout the State of West Virginia and North America and had been a member of Wellsburg Lodge #2 since 1986. During 2006 Plaintiff Haas was Grand Master of Defendant Grand Lodge, a fraternal organization.
2. Defendant Montgomery is a citizen and resident of Williamstown, Wood County, West Virginia, and was, at all times material hereto, the Grand Master of Defendant Grand Lodge, and is a member and agent of Defendant Grand Lodge.
3. Defendant Coleman is a citizen and resident of Hurricane, Putnam County, West Virginia, and was, at all times material hereto, a member of Dunbar Lodge #159 and was a member and agent of Defendant Grand Lodge. From October 2006 to October 2007, Defendant Coleman was the Grand Master of Defendant Grand Lodge, a fraternal organization.
4. Defendant Grand Lodge, a West Virginia corporation, whose principal office is located at 107 Hale Street, Charleston, West Virginia 25301, at all times material hereto, controlled and had jurisdiction over all of the Masonic lodges throughout West Virginia and had the power to make and amend the general laws and regulations, including the Code of Trials, to be used by lodges under the jurisdiction of the Defendant Grand Lodge.
5. The John Doe Defendants are, or were, agents, officers and representatives of Defendant Grand Lodge who were, at all times material hereto, acting in their individual and official capacities but whose identity, at this time, remains unknown.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
6. Jurisdiction and venue are proper in this Court because Defendant Grand Lodge's principal place of business is located in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, and all of the individual defendants are members and agents of Defendant Grand Lodge.
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
7. Plaintiff Haas resides in Wellsburg, West Virginia, where he graduated from high school in 1975. In 1979 he graduated magna cum laude from Bethany College with a double major in Economics and Business and History and Political Science. In 1982 Plaintiff Haas received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the College of Law at West Virginia University.
8. In 1986 Plaintiff Haas became a member of Wellsburg Lodge #2, a Masonic fraternal organization, located in Wellsburg, West Virginia.
9. In or about 2004, Plaintiff Haas endowed a perpetual membership in Wellsburg Lodge #2, which funds are currently held by Defendant Grand Lodge.
10. As a Mason, Plaintiff Haas had the right to retire to the Masonic Home maintained by Defendant Grand Lodge.
11. Since 1986 Plaintiff Haas immersed himself in Masonic undertakings and was actively involved in the day-to-day workings of Wellsburg Lodge #2 as well as 19 other related Masonic organizations. In or about 1991 he became a member of Defendant Grand Lodge.
12. Since becoming a member of Defendant Grand Lodge, Plaintiff Haas served with distinction, was an outstanding ritualist, a representative to the Grand Lodge of Delaware, and on October 11, 2005, was elected and installed as Grand Master of Defendant Grand Lodge, the highest office a Mason can achieve.
13. Throughout his Masonic career, Plaintiff Haas devoted substantial amounts of his time, effort and financial resources to Masonic matters throughout West Virginia and other jurisdictions. His father is a member of Wellsburg Lodge #2 and his paternal great-grandfather was a member of the Masonic lodge in Ayrshire, Scotland. Plaintiff Haas is justifiably proud of his Masonic memberships, heritage and accomplishments.
14. As a result of and in recognition of Plaintiff Haas' membership and dedicated and outstanding service in the concordant Scottish Rite Body, Plaintiff Haas was coronated a 33rd degree Mason in October 2005, which honor is given only to a limited number of Masons with outstanding service and accomplishments.
15. During his Masonic career and as Grand Master, Plaintiff Haas supported various progressive reforms in Masonry reflecting the will of the majority of the members of Defendant Grand Lodge which reforms were consistent with and promoted rules and regulations designed to respect and protect the constitutional and other rights of all Masons and prospective Masons. The proposed changes and reforms were not only morally right but were consistent with and designed to bring Masonic laws and attitudes into conformity with the substantial public policy of the State of West Virginia and the United States of America.
16. Plaintiff Haas' goal was to make Masonry more tolerant, friendly, decent and accepting of everyone regardless of nationality, race, religion or disability.
17. Plaintiff Haas shared his beliefs and proposals with the members of Defendant Grand Lodge during his service as Grand Master and prior to the October 2006 meeting of Defendant Grand Lodge when these proposals were presented to and voted on by the membership.
18. During the 2006 Annual Meeting, the members of Defendant Grand Lodge voted approval of various reforms proposed by Plaintiff Haas that were in his opinion designed to make Masonry more tolerant, friendly, decent and accepting of all Masons and prospective Masons. These reforms and proposals were intended to rid Masonry in West Virginia of the Orwellian, repressive, regressive and unconstitutional practices that were and are clearly unconstitutional and against the substantial public policy of this State.
19. The proposed reforms and changes were designed to: a. Encourage all Masons to do what is morally and legally right and wipe away lingering racism that is tolerated and enforced by telling the Masters of all local lodges that they must maintain the peace and harmony of their lodges; b. Eliminate discriminatory practices against the handicapped; c. Eliminate discriminatory practices against youth organizations and young adults participating in related Masonic organizations and those young adults desiring to become a Mason; d. Allow debate and free speech regarding Masonic issues and possible reforms without fear of reprisal; and e. Support other substantial public policy issues that are morally right and would promote genuine equality throughout Masonry.
20. Plaintiff Haas' progressive proposals to eliminate various Masonic practices that are discriminatory and against the substantial public policy of this State were voted on and approved by Defendant Grand Lodge during the 2006 Annual Meeting. Unfortunately, Plaintiff Haas ' laudatory efforts were met with resistance by a few Masons determined to undermine any proposed reforms regardless of how outdated, discriminatory or offensive the policies were to individual constitutional rights and the substantial public policy of this State.
21. During the 2006 Annual Meeting, Defendants Montgomery and Coleman and the John Doe Defendants individually and collectively tried to undermine and defeat the efforts of Plaintiff Haas and to render the actions of a majority ofthe members of the Defendant Grand Lodge null and void.
22. At the conclusion of the October 2006 Annual Meeting, Defendant Coleman succeeded Plaintiff Haas as Grand Master of Defendant Grand Lodge. Rather than accepting the majority vote ofthe membership of Defendant Grand Lodge and doing what was ethically, morally and legally right, Defendant Coleman almost immediately unilaterally entered various Edicts rendering the progressive proposals voted on and adopted by a majority of Defendant Grand Lodge null and void. As a result, Defendant Coleman reinstated the unconstitutional and discriminatory practices that are without question against the substantial public policy of this State.
23. Defendant Coleman went to great length to try and justify why the vote of the Defendant Grand Lodge should and would be set aside citing various procedural errors all of which were a subterfuge. No one has been sanctioned for those alleged procedural errors that Coleman claimed were dishonest and in violation of the Masonic laws. The fact that the alleged procedural errors were a pretext is further evidenced by the fact that Defendants have never allowed the members of Defendant Grand Lodge to vote on any of the proposals since they were set aside by Edict.
24. During the remainder of2006 and continuing through the 2007 Annual Meeting, at which time Defendant Montgomery became Grand Master of Defendant Grand Lodge, Plaintiff Haas continued to speak out about the ethical, moral and legal obligation of Masons to promote changes that would eliminate those discriminatory practices set forth herein that are unconstitutional and against the substantial public policy of West Virginia, most of which a majority of Defend ant Grand Lodge had previously voted to change.
25. Plaintiff Haas' continued efforts angered Defendants Montgomery and Coleman and the John Doe Defendants, and they collectively conspired and colluded to punish Plaintiff Haas and others for exercising their constitutional right to debate these issues and their right of free speech.
26. Defendants' efforts to punish Plaintiff Haas and others who disagreed with their Orwellian attitudes culminated on November 19, 2007, when Defendant Montgomery, through misrepresentation, deceit and bad faith induced Plaintiff Haas to attend a meeting at Wellsburg Lodge #2 by telling him the meeting was for the purpose of discussing the visit of the Grand Master of Ohio at a previous meeting. Defendant Coleman and John Doe members of Defendant Grand
27. Having lured Plaintiff Haas to the meeting under false pretenses, Defendant Montgomery directed the Master of Wellsburg Lodge #2 to step aside, took
charge of the meeting and summarily, arbitrarily and unlawfully expelled Plaintiff Haas and another individual from Masonry after lecturing, berating and belittling them in front of family and numerous members of Plaintiff Haas' home lodge. Defendant Montgomery's rantings and outlandish attack on Plaintiff Haas were based on trumped up allegations that were false and untrue and were fully protected by Plaintiff Haas' constitutional rights.
28. As part ofthe Edict expelling Plaintiff Haas from Masonry, Defendant Montgomery directed the Edict be read in all lodges throughout West Virginia and directed all Masons to refrain from communicating with Plaintiff Haas about Masonic matters.
29. In summarily expelling Plaintiff Haas from Masonry, Defendant Montgomery denied Plaintiff Haas a fair hearing by failing to comply with The Masonic Code of Trials and the fundamental fairness afforded all individuals who are members of fraternal organizations.
30. Plaintiff Haas was given absolutely no notice of Defendants' true intentions at the November 19,2007, meeting, was not provided with a statement of charges nor given any of the other procedural safeguards set forth in the Code of Trials thereby effectively denying Plaintiff Haas his right to resist expulsion. Further, Plaintiff Haas was offered no opportunity to appeal from Defendants' illegal and wrongful conduct.
31. Defendants deliberately and intentionally refused to follow the internal procedures of Defend ant Grand Lodge designed to provide all Masons the fundamental fairness they are entitled to when confronted with allegations that could lead to discipline or expulsion.
32. The record of the November 19, 2007, meeting wherein Plaintiff Haas was summarily, oppressively and without notice given the Masonic death sentence will clearly show that Plaintiff Haas was ambushed by Defendants.
33. Defendants' plan, conceived and put together in secrecy, to deliberately and intentionally berate and degrade Plaintiff Haas in front of his father and other members of his lodge and then summarily expel him from Masonry, was demeaning, repulsive and outrageous — an act of bad faith by these officers.
Defendants' true character and unsavory intentions and conduct regarding Plaintiff Haas were obvious due to the fact Defendants had the edict expelling Plaintiff Haas prepared in advance and invited various members of Defendant Grand Lodge to witness this unlawful, illegal and outrageous conduct.
34. Defendants' deceitful conduct in secretly scheming, planning, preparing for and carrying out Plaintiff Haas' wrongful expulsion from Masonry was nothing more than an underhanded and blindsided attack on Plaintiff Haas' reputation and good character which denied Plaintiff Haas the fundamental fairness to which he was entitled.
35. Defendants' underhanded and deceitful conduct and their true reason for getting Plaintiff Haas to attend the November 19,2007, meeting became painfully obvious to Plaintiff Haas and the members of his lodge when Defendant Montgomery pulled out a previously prepared Edict which was read aloud, expelling Plaintiff Haas.
36. Even though there are no Masonic laws, rules and regulations, or procedural guidelines regarding an appeal from being summarily expelled from Masonry by a Grand Master, Plaintiff Haas complied with the Code of Trials as ifhe had been given a fair hearing and timely filed a written appeal to Defendant Grand Lodge. Plaintiff Haas' appeal has been totally ignored by Defendants making his request for relief on appeal futile and leaving Plaintiff Haas no recourse for this denial of justice other than filing this civil action to vindicate his reputation and good name and to protect his constitutional and other rights.
37. There can be no dispute that Plaintiff Haas was denied a fair and regular hearing in accordance with designated procedures and that Defendants' conduct is tainted by fraud, bad faith and arbitrary conduct.
38. Fundamental fairness dictates that even a member of a voluntary fraternal organization charged with such an apparently serious offense as to warrant his expulsion from Masonry should be given notice ofthe charges and a reasonable opportunity to defend himself before a tribunal appointed to try him.
39. As a result of Plaintiff Haas' unlawful expulsion from Masonry, he has been, and continues to be, denied his property, contract and other rights and privileges to which he was entitled due to his Masonic membership as well as his valuable personal relationship with his Masonic Lodge, the Grand Lodge and all other Masons and Masonic lodges throughout West Virginia and in other jurisdictions.
40· The loss of status resulting from the destruction of Plaintiff Haas' relationship with the Masons in West Virginia and other Masonic organizations includes, but is not limited to: a. the loss of esteem that Plaintiff Haas enjoyed and was entitled to due to his having served as Grand Master of all Masons throughout West Virginia; b. the loss of esteem Plaintiff Haas enjoyed with other Masonic organizations throughout West Virginia and North America due to his accomplishments as a Mason; c. the embarrassment and humiliation Plaintiff Haas has been subjected to in his position as an Administrative Law Judge in West Virginia; d. the embarrassment and humiliation before his family and friends which was inflicted upon Plaintiff Haas by Defendants' actions; e. the degrading job of having to explain to family, friends and other Masons as to why he is no longer a Mason; f. the loss of credibility and integrity Plaintiff Haas feels as a judicial officer due to Defendants' unwarranted and unjustified attack on his credibility, integrity and honesty; g. Loss of his prepaid dues for lifetime membership; h. Loss of his right as a Mason to retire to the West Virginia Masonic Home.
41. Defendants' intentional willful, arbitrary and outrageous conduct was and is illegal and unlawful in that it is designed to suppress and prohibit the free discussion of important public issues such as racial equality, age discrimination, discrimination against the handicapped, and open and free speech in a widespread and socially significant fraternal organization.
42. Defendant Grand Lodge is incorporated under the laws of the State of West Virginia and is exempt from certain state regulatory statutes in the operation of the West Virginia Masonic Home and enjoys other tax benefits as a nonprofit fraternal organization. Accordingly, since Defendant Grand Lodge takes advantage of these privileges, it should be required to fulfill its duties and obligations and comply with the substantial public policy of this State.
43. The Defendants' conduct is ultra vires, fraudulent and contrary to the duty of good faith and warrants judicial intervention out of necessity.
Count I: Violation of Internal Rules Adopted to Govern Members
44. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 43 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
45. In summarily expelling Plaintiff Haas from Masonry and denying him of his benefits as a Mason, Defendants had a duty to comply with its internal procedures and Defendant's Code of Trials and to provide adequate notice, a statement of charges and a fair hearing.
46. Plaintiff Haas has no adequate remedy for review or appeal of his summary expulsion and his written application for an appeal has been totally ignored.
47. Defendants' conduct was tainted by fraud, bad faith, and arbitrary conduct.
48. Defendants' actions detrimentally affected, and continue to detrimentally affect, Plaintiff Haas' personal and professional reputation, not only as a Mason but his standing as an attorney and administrative law judge in the community in which he resides and works, and impugns him as being untruthful and of his having done something improper or failing to stay within or conform to reasonable rules and regulations.
49. Defendants' unreasonable, arbitrary, capricious and/or discriminatory adverse actions required Plaintiff Haas to initiate this legal proceeding in order to protect his right to continue his Masonic relationships and to protect his other rights.
50. Due to Defendants' conduct, Plaintiff Haas must spend time and energy prosecuting his claim and vindicating his good name for which Plaintiff Haas had proximately suffered, and will continue to suffer, pecuniary and emotional damages, and is entitled to recover for those damages.
Count II: Defamation
51. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 50 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
52. Defendants' communications with all Masons throughout West Virginia and others both in and outside of Masonry were intended to and did injure Plaintiff Haas in his personal, professional and community standing.
53. In communicating with others regarding Plaintiff Haas, Defendants and their agents owed a duty to Plaintiff Haas to communicate responsibly so as not to defame Plaintiff Haas.
54. Defendants have negligently breached their duty to Plaintiff Haas and defamed him by communicating information and falsely inferring, implicating, implying, or insinuating that Plaintiff Haas had lied and was not a truthful person, had failed to comply with his Masonic obligations and therefore should be summarily expelled from Masonry. Furthermore, the Edict expelling Plaintiff Haas made it appear that he was unable to function within the law and/or was unable to conform to reasonable rules and regulations as a Mason.
55. Defendants' defamation of Plaintiff Haas was done deliberately and with knowledge of the falsity of the allegations and inferences or was done in reckless disregard of the truth or falsehood of the allegations.
56. By allowing Defendants Montgomery, Coleman and the John Doe defendants to act unreasonably, capriciously, arbitrarily and summarily, without just cause, Defendant Grand Lodge has breached its duty to Plaintiff Haas.
57. Plaintiff Haas has suffered, and will continue to suffer, both personally and professionally, damages as a proximate result of Defendants' conduct, and he is entitled to recover for those damages.
58. Furthermore, the seriousness of the injury to Plaintiff Haas outweighs Defendant Grand Lodge's interest in autonomy and freedom from judicial oversight.
Count III: Invasion of Privacy - False Light
59. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 58 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
60. Plaintiff Haas, as a West Virginia citizen, has a recognized and protected right of privacy, including the right to his good name.
61. Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff Haas not to invade his privacy in their widespread communications about him as aforesaid to all Masons in West Virginia and others.
62. Defendants breached their duty to Plaintiff Haas and unlawfully invaded his privacy by unreasonably placing him in a false light before the public by communicating that Plaintiff Haas was not a truthful person, that he failed to comply with his Masonic obligations, that Plaintiff Haas' privileges as a Mason had been revoked, that Plaintiff Haas was expelled from Masonry and was blackballed and forbidden from having any contact with other Masons.
63. The false depiction of Plaintiff Haas as being insubordinate and disrespectful with no evidence on which to base such allegations was, and is, highly offensive to Plaintiff Haas as a Mason and prior Grand Master and would be highly offensive to a reasonable person.
64. As a proximate result of Defendants' invasion of Plaintiff Haas' privacy and false depiction of him, Plaintiff Haas has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damage for which he is entitled to recover.
Count IV: Outrageous Conduct
65. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 64 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
66. The acts ofthe Defendants in wrongly expelling Plaintiff Haas from Masonry and its attendant privileges, communicating false and misleading information to third parties, retaliating against Plaintiff Haas for seeking to have Defendant Grand Lodge respect the constitutional and civil rights of all Masons and prospective Masons, retaliating against Plaintiff Haas for exercising his constitutional right to have Defendant Grand Lodge modify its actions to conform with the substantial public policy of this State, disrupting Plaintiff Haas' Masonic status, and otherwise maligning Plaintiff Haas, amount to intentional infliction of emotional distress.
67. The acts and/or failures to act ofthe Defendants as aforesaid have been outrageous, atrocious, intolerable, and so extreme as to exceed the bounds of decency.
68. The extreme and outrageous acts and/or failures to act ofthe Defendants have been intentional, reckless, fraudulent and in bad faith because they were certain or substantially certain to result in emotional distress and cause injury to Plaintiff Haas.
69. The acts and/or failures to act ofthe Defendants have proximately caused, and will continue to cause, Plaintiff Haas to suffer injuries to his psyche and well-being as set forth herein as well as the fact that Plaintiff Haas will forever have to explain why he was falsely labeled a liar and arbitrarily and maliciously expelled from Masonry.
70. The emotional distress suffered by Plaintiff Haas was, and is, reasonably expected to be so severe that no reasonable person should have been or could be expected to endure it.
71. As a direct and proximate result ofthe Defendants' intentional infliction of emotional distress upon Plaintiff Haas, he has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damages for which he is entitled to recover.
Count V: Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
72. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 71 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
73. The Defendants knew, or should have known, that their acts and/or failures to act as set forth herein in wrongfully expelling Plaintiff Haas from Masonry, communicating false and misleading information to other Masons about Plaintiff Haas, retaliating against Plaintiff Haas for encouraging Defendant Grand Lodge to pass laws that were morally and ethically right and designed to respect the rights of all Masons and prospective Masons, retaliating against Plaintiff Haas for exercising his right of free speech to bring about reform and change and require Defendant Grand Lodge to comply with the substantial public policies ofthis State, disrupting Plaintiff Haas' Masonic career, denying Plaintiff Haas his property and contractual rights as a Mason, and otherwise maligning Plaintiff would proximately cause Plaintiff to suffer the injuries set forth herein.
74. The Defendants' negligent acts have proximately caused, and will continue to cause, Plaintiff Haas to suffer injury to his psyche and well-being as set forth within.
75. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' negligent infliction of emotional distress upon Plaintiff Haas, he has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damages for which he is entitled to recover.
COUNT VI: Adverse Retaliatory Conduct in Contravention of Substantial Public Policy Principles
76. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 75 ofthe Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereunder.
77. Members in fraternal organizations in West Virginia and elsewhere are entitled to be treated with fundamental fairness free from discriminatory practices in violation of an individual's rights and contrary to the substantial public policies of West Virginia regarding racial discrimination, age discrimination, discrimination against the handicapped, religious freedom and summarily punishing people for expressing their right of free speech and debate regarding such matters.
78. Defendants' unlawful expulsion of Plaintiff Haas from Masonry in contravention of the substantial public policies of West Virginia and in retaliation for Plaintiff Haas' exercise of his rights as set forth herein have subjected Plaintiff Haas to ridicule and public humiliation both individually and professionally.
79. Plaintiff Haas has suffered, and will continue to suffer, damages as a proximate result of Defendants' adverse, retaliatory conduct.
COUNT VII: Contract
80. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 79 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
81. At the time Plaintiff Haas became a Mason, he undertook certain obligations and agreed to pay dues and abide by the lawful rules and regulations of Masonry based on various representations and promises of Defendant Grand Lodge, which representations and promises constitute a legally binding and enforceable contract between Plaintiff Haas and Defendant Grand Lodge.
82. Defendants' conduct is in clear violation of the contractual duties and obligations owed Plaintiff Haas as a result of his membership in Defendant Grand Lodge.
83. Plaintiff Haas complied with and fulfilled his contractual duties and obligations to Defendant Grand Lodge, and Defendant Grand Lodge had the duty to comply with its contractual obligations to Plaintiff Haas.
84. As a result of Defendants' breach of their contractual duty, Plaintiff Haas has suffered and will continue to suffer financial and other damages to which he is entitled to recover from Defendants.
COUNT VIII: Property Claim
85. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 84 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
86. Defendants' conduct violated Plaintiff Haas ' property rights including, but not limited to, depriving him of the rights and benefits of the perpetual membership he endowed which funds are held by Defendant Grand Lodge, his right to admission in the Masonic home maintained by Defendant Grand Lodge which provides residences, services and medical care, a Masonic funeral and pallbearers, and similar property rights in other Masonic related organizations where Masonic membership is a prerequisite.
87. As a result of Defendants' illegal taking of Plaintiff Haas' property rights as set forth herein, he has suffered and will continue to suffer both economic and other consequential damages.
COUNT IX: Conspiracy
88. Plaintiff Haas incorporates each and every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 87 ofthe Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
89. Defendants Montgomery and Coleman have had the advice, support, encouragement and assistance of the John Doe Defendants in planning, implementing and carrying out the illegal and wrongful expulsion of Plaintiff Haas; and each of the overt acts set forth herein was in furtherance of the illegal conspiracy of the individual defendants.
90. Defendants Montgomery, Coleman and the John Doe Defendants' conduct in secretly scheming, planning and carrying out the illegal and wrongful expulsion of Plaintiff Haas from Masonry constitutes an illegal conspiracy which has caused Plaintiff Haas to be damaged both individually and professionally for which he is entitled to be fully compensated and defendants punished by an award of punitive damages.
Count X: Punitive Damages
91. Plaintiff Haas incorporates eachand every allegation set forth in Paragraph 1 through 90 of the Complaint by reference hereto as if set forth verbatim hereinafter.
92. The acts and/or failures to act of the Defendants as set forth herein constitute malice, oppression, wanton, willful, or reckless conduct, or criminal indifference to civil obligations affecting the rights of others such that the jury may assess punitive damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Haas respectfully prays that:
1. Plaintiff Haas be reinstated as a member of Defendant Grand Lodge and Wellsburg Lodge #2 with all of the attendant rights and privileges;
2. This Court issue a cease and desist order temporarily and permanently enjoining Defendants from any further acts of harassment and retaliation against Plaintiff Haas and from enforcing the illegal expulsion edict;
3. This Court grant Plaintiff Haas a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting Defendants from interfering with Plaintiff Haas' Masonic membership for reasons that are unconstitutional and against the substantial public policy of this State;
4. Plaintiff Haas' Masonic record be expunged of any and all references to his illegal and wrongful expulsion;
5. Plaintiff Haas recover compensatory damages from Defendants in such amounts as shall be determined in accordance with the law;
6. Plaintiff Haas be awarded punitive damages against Defendants in such amounts as shall be determined under the circumstances herein;
7. Plaintiff Haas recover his attorneys fees, costs and expenses incurred in this action;
8. This court grand Plaintfill Haas such other and further relief as the nature of his cause may merit.
PLAINTIFF DEMANDS A TRIAL BY JURY ON ALL COUNTS.
Frank Joseph Haas, Plaintiff
A .pdf file of this document is available.
Masons | Masonic Trial | Masonic Lawsuits | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com
Not much to say folks?
ReplyDeleterogue Grand Lodges are still isolated situations?
tip of the iceberg
all it takes are a few good men TO take a stand for others to see it is NOT impossible to fight for right and take stands.
Stay on course my west virginia brothers!
hit em where it hurts, pocket book and ego!
That which is most sacred surrounds the concept of Brotherhood.
ReplyDeleteThat which is most joyful lives in the consciousness that there exists cooperation of Knowledge.
Such thought affirms that somewhere there are living True Co-workers.
Let us recall the fundamentals which lead to Brotherhood.
When the consciousness is bedimmed, when the higher concepts seem far removed, at least ponder about unity in actions of good.
It is unthinkable to turn away from all that brings strength.
There can be no lasting labor in the name of dissension; unacceptable is dust at the threshold.
When you get ready for the long journey, wipe away all dust in order to leave a clean place behind you.
Thus, in all the manifestations of life let us remember about the Center of Knowledge and Justice — about Brotherhood.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAlumbrados666: Personal insults on this blog are restricted to the
ReplyDeleteMasonic Corral.
— W.S.
I stand in support of MWB Haas as we have something in common... A Grand Lodge is attempting to make a martyr of me and my Brothers of Halcyon.
ReplyDeleteThis all fine and well as the wrath of public opinion upon will soon fall and they will know the true word after all.
T.S.
The Haas and Halcyon situations have nothing to do with each other and they are not remotely similar in their circumstances. Fishing for allies...fishing for allies, that is all there is to that.
ReplyDeletea wronged mason is a wronged mason no matter how you want to slice it
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that MW Haas has had to turn to the State to obtain a hearing that should have been granted to him by his Grand Lodge.
ReplyDeleteShould he win his suit, I hope he will dontate any punitive damages he may be awarded to a Masonic charity.
Cockroach,
ReplyDeleteBeing named an Officer in a suit when was is not is clearly WRONG (elections happen, they are recorded), as is being expelled without a trial like MWB Haas.
The a GL wish to take me to trail and I will enjoy the day in before a Judge & Jury finds out they have the wrong guy.
I understand that racist, uninformed ideas still have sway with some people. No matter how morally wrong these ideas are, one must deal with having a Grand Master (who is given by the members of such Grand Lodge a dictatorial or royal power) exerting his power as he sees fit (even if his opinion is almost universally condemed).
ReplyDeleteThe answer here is for the members of the Grand Lodge to vote in a reasonable man to fulfill the office of Grand Master for the next year.
Remember brethren, the power remains with us.
I just heard that new lawsuits are being filed against the Grand Lodges in Georgia, Ohio and Michigan. All related to wrongful expulsion, conspiracy, racketeering, and fraud.
ReplyDeleteMW Bro. Haas is now but one of a growing group of plantiffs.
Looks like judgment day is here. :-)
I don't see how all of this is a problem since it is a PRIVATE organization. What comes next, women or athiests?
ReplyDeleteweird i wanna be a mason so bad...feel i need 2 be...least 4 i die...but im young...im black...but i hav a college degree...belive in god...n luv tha "idea"..."concept" of "family"...if the grand lodge of wv wont take blacks or young men...n morgantown wont either...then how can "this" be the masonic "design" that draws me...it dont feel rite...n y r masons fighting in court...in public?...y hav younger masons harmed a older mason...expelled him...for ideas...good ideas..."equality"..."tolerance"..."race"..."age"....
ReplyDeletesumthing dose'nt seem rite about this...it like sum mason groups..lodges...."hav walked wit KINGS yet lost tha COMMON touch"...
it even seems as tho sum masons r left to "wither" away in "archaic" and "non-changing" ways...it wud seem tha "design" wud change wit "time"...
but the current leaders seem to rely on "fortune" and surely "beat and ill use her"...but it makes more sense not 2 realy on fortune...instead "move wit tha times"....
very wierd...n troubling...im honestly disappointed....
its like im in wv wit mason "architects" that refuse "young"..."coloreds"...for no reason but that...
http://www.jws173.org/photos.html
look at 173#...i want 2 ask...cause u cant be invited..but idk...its a joke...im black...im young...they'd neva let me in....
n they masons i kno off seem very "powerful" and in tha "kno" of a much "grander design"....if the wv lodges are "builders" of nething...it seems archaic'ly racist and primitive in nature...in a modern sense...its just weird....
where is tha "design"...how cud u be "building" when ur fighting in court ova tha membership of senior memeber?....how cud he be denied his rite ova the desire to hav change and bring "new blood to flow freely"...?...troubling...
and there r more cases?...n various states?....he is 33rd?...no1 helped him prior 2 this...he was defenseless until court?
n wv courts do not heed contract law...even up 2 tha supreme court...they hav no shame...3mil n a trip 2 france n u can buy/own tha west virignia courts ruling...a couple "phone calls" if tha case is low key...not media noticed...n they wont even hear the case...wont even post it online...if they do its just 2 show "face"...
"rouge GL"....hmm....so maybe all west virginia lodges r rouge?....y else wud they have not 1....not one man of color...NE RACE!...on there pictures?....im totally stumped...
i wunder how far id hav 2 "travel" 2 get 2 tha "real design"?...it must be hard...take alot of luck...lol...makes sense...
hmm....ill try...just hav 2 look i.e. "journey" father...sucks...hate not knowing how far i hav 2 go 2 get where im going...
ima bookmark this blog i guess...see if ne1 has advice/comments 2 my...."ponders"...
"prince halls"....now it all makes sense....hass is a good man...i see what he was trying 2 do...
ReplyDeleteif the black guy i kno is a "prince hall"...it wud seem he is accepted by masons of "white" lodges...very "high up" n powerful lodges...
it seems there r secret lodges...very powerful ones...id rather join them than....
hmm....i need 2 learn more i guess...read...think...very interesting...all of this
I have no word if the two expelled GMs of the GOUSA were given a fair Masonic trial. Were they?
ReplyDeleteNo word yet on why Euclid Lodge left the GOUSA. Why is this so hush-hush?
Nobody:
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what is going on or has been going on with the Grand Orient of the U.S. I have not spoken with anyone from the group in many months. If I don't know about it, I can't report it.
Good questions. I'd like to know, too.
— W.S.
If what is heard is true, the GM arbitrarily made it so he would serve a five-year term and changed the wording so the independent lodges were no longer independent.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that the GOUSA has been rather tight-lipped about it. I found out by chance reading another blog that they'd left the GOUSA.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about Grand Master of West Virginia, but I have not been in, so I think that one day a friend won a ticket in generic viagra raffle, so It was two years ago.
ReplyDelete