Bro. Haas' lawsuit moves to discovery phase after judge denies motion to dismiss

The lawsuit by expelled Past Grand Master of West Virginia Bro. Frank Haas against the Grand Lodge of West Virginia and Past Grand Master Bro. Charles Coleman and current Grand Master Bro. Charlie Montgomery will go on, the Charleston Gazette reported today, after Circuit Judge Irene C. Berger denied motions to dismiss by the defendants.

The case will now move to the discovery phase.

Bro. Haas' deposition is scheduled for October 8. He is suing for reinstatement as a West Virginia Mason and for unspecified damages.

The Taper posted the complete text of Bro. Haas's lawsuit on June 5, 2008.

Masons | Masonic Trial | Frank Haas | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

Dirty laundry: Freemasonry's 'Orwellian, repressive, regressive and unconstitutional practices'

At this moment, Frank Haas' lawsuit against Charlie Montgomery, Charles Coleman and the Grand Lodge of West Virginia is the top story on the Charleston (WV) Gazette website and probably its front page story in newsprint. The story is also prominent in the Charleston Daily Mail.

The news of this sorry state of affairs is no longer confined to the relatively small number of West Virginia Masons, or to the Net-savvy denizens of Masonic blogs and forums.

Freemasonry's dirty laundry is officially hung out on the Clothesline of the World, right up there with McClellan's book, Clinton's failed presidential bid, and Lindsay Lohan's missing underwear.

Whether the World cares is anyone's guess.

I'm sure the anti-Masonic paranoid conspiracy crowd will find in the lawsuit more reasons to assume Masonry is ruled by Satan or the Illuminati, and perhaps a few more people will keep their kids from picking up tossed candy at the their local Fourth of July parades if the Shriners are there driving their little cars.

But will it make any difference within Freemasonry? Will men of good character finally speak up for M. W. Bro. Frank Haas, or will they support the West Virginia grand lodge and M.W. Bros. Charlie Montgomery and Charles Coleman? Will other U.S. grand lodges speak up against WV's tyranny, or will they instruct the rest of us to cease and desist our public commentary? Will it be a wake-up call to southern grand lodges who still actively promote racial segregation? Will other grand masters think twice before issuing "edicts" that attempt to unfairly suppress free speech?

To paraphrase Bob the Indian in the mystical masonic movie The Big Empty, "Will it make a difference?"

Image: By the most excellent Virginia photographer Sarah Huntington

Masons | Masonic Trial | Masonic Lawsuit | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

Haas sues Montgomery, Coleman, and Grand Lodge of West Virginia for fraud, defamation, invasion of privacy, outrageous conduct, conspiracy & much more

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 me
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

The text of Haas' lawsuit follows.


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

The Parable of the Mouse

"The Parable of the Mouse" was submitted by a reader in response to the discussion about what non-West Virginia brethren should do regarding the problems within West Virginia Freemasonry.

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

"What food might this contain?" the mouse wondered, but he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said: "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The pig sympathized, but said: "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The cow said: "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.

That night a sound was heard throughout the house — the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught, but in the darkness, she didn't see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

Unfortunately, the farmer's wife did not get well; she died.

So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember — when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

— Anonymous

Masons | Parables | West Virginia Freemasonry | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

'Masonry through the (rearview) looking glass': Frank Haas' speech to the Philalathes Society

What follows is the text of the speech given by M.W. Bro. Frank Haas, expelled Past Grand Master of Masons in West Virginia, to the Philalathes Society in February, 2008. It is reprinted from the blog Masonic Crusade.

Masonry Through the (Rearview) Looking Glass

By Frank J. Haas, MPS

Thank you very much for your brave invitation. I know that there is some controversy about my being here. Some of you have examined your consciences about whether you should listen to me, break bread with me, shake hands with me, appear in the banquet room with me, stay in the same hotel as me, and where to draw the line. I respect that fidelity. I am hopeful that this will be only a temporary strain on our fraternal relations. I am honored to accept an invitation that I did not seek. I have the highest respect for The Philalethes Society, and I would not do anything intentionally to harm it.

I very much wish that the circumstances that brought us together might have been dispensed with, but I have gained a great deal of unsought notoriety of late. This Society exists to research problems confronting Freemasonry. I have a problem. Some say that I am a problem. I have been a Philalethes member for quite a few years. I can relate to you my perception and my recollection of what has happened recently to Freemasonry in West Virginia and to me, and I can offer my opinions on these events. I will tell you what happened — beginning at the end.

Listen to the Red Queen from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
“No, no!” said the Queen. “Sentence first — verdict afterwards.”

“Stuff and nonsense!” said Alice loudly. “The idea of having the sentence first!”

“Hold your tongue!” said the Queen, turning purple.

“I won’t!” said Alice.

“Off with her head!” the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved.

In a similar fashion, the capital punishment of Masonry was meted out to me. Sentence first, verdict irrelevant, trial — well, details, details. I was expelled summarily by the Grand Master of West Virginia without a trial, without written charges, and without notice that my neck was in the noose. “Sentence first — verdict afterwards.” To earn it, I did not even get the pleasure of stealing any money, messing around with any women, or sounding off with a temper tantrum. While I was watching a football game on a Sunday evening, I remember Grand Master Charlie L. Montgomery calling me to ask whether I would be in lodge the following evening. I said it was on my calendar. He said he “might drop in” to talk about the Oyster Night at the previous meeting of Wellsburg Lodge #2, where we hosted fifty Ohio brothers, including a surprise visit by the Grand Master of Ohio, the stalwart Ronald L. Winnett. When I walked into the lodge building on Monday, November 19, 2007, I thought it likely that the lodge would be complimented for its hospitality to two sitting grand masters. Little did I know that the lodge would soon be on probation and that expulsion edicts in advance had been researched, prepared, drafted, typed, and were soon to be read, expelling Richard K. Bosely and me, all, heartlessly, in the presence of my father.

I have been hurt by all of this, because I love this fraternity. I must guard against having my remarks today sound like nothing but sour grapes. Some unpleasant events happened. People ask me what happened. I tell them. They do not believe it and say it is impossible.

The Red Queen and Alice discussed such a circumstance in Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There.

“I can't believe that!” said Alice.

“Can't you?” the Queen said in a pitying tone. “Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.”

Alice laughed. “There's no use trying,” she said: “one can't believe impossible things.”

“I daresay you haven't had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

Believe it. The reason for the expulsion: free speech. I have a sincere philosophical disagreement with Montgomery and his supporters. I believe that the grand lodge belongs to the Craft and that the brothers should decide grand lodge laws and policy with their open debates and votes, preserving always our eight Ancient Landmarks. We are not bound to look forever through a looking glass as a rearview mirror and never look at the present or toward the future. Montgomery wants no change ever, and anyone who wants any change should “go away.”

Here is how I engendered such anger. Votes matter. In West Virginia, past masters have one quarter of a vote. According to the legend, I was elected to the progressive line of grand lodge officers by a quarter of a vote. You know that you must be cautious about secret ballots: those who know should not say, and those who say may not know. I am only passing on what I was told. I had served ten years on the Committee on Work with the custody of the ritual as Deputy Grand Lecturer. I became Junior Grand Warden, but some did not want me there.

As grand master, it became my frequent practice to address the brethren at lodge meetings, and I began to conclude my speaking on the level with a time of questions of answers. There were some recurring themes in the brother’s questions, and these I decided to bring to the floor of grand lodge for consideration. Before grand lodge, I acted on three matters of business that needed no change but were compelling interpretations of existing language.

Youth. We had one active DeMolay chapter in the whole state, at the time. We had only around a hundred Rainbow Girls. I talked to the youth and their leaders, and I learned that part of their problem was our grand lodge law. Our policies were actually harming kids. Our Masonic law requires us not to allow youth organizations to meet in the lodge rooms, no matter what the lodges want. Lodges cannot give any support to the kids. Lodges cannot donate a penny. Lodges cannot even permit the parking lot to be used to raise funds by a car wash, for example. When I learned that the application of these many prohibitions, which had slowly accumulated over the years, was hurting the kids, I concluded that it was never the intention of Masonic law to be harmful to them. I thought the brothers would want fast action, so I acted with a directive to help the kids, and I set the subject for discussion at grand lodge.

Summary reprimands. We had three brothers involved in two separate incidents. News reporters initiated calls to ask for facts about Masonic buildings, which they proposed to feature in their newspaper articles. The brothers answered questions about facts and figures, numbers and dates, and these resulted in large, beautiful articles with color photographs in the newspapers of the fourth and the fifth largest cities in the state. One headline on the front page of the Sunday newspaper was worth thousands of dollars in a public relations budget: “I knew they were just and upright men.” However, the three brothers had not referred the reporters to the grand master, so he summarily issued written edicts of reprimand to be read audibly in all 140 lodges at two separate meetings. There were no trials. Sentence first. I entered an edict expunging the record because there was no constructive purpose to be achieved in having them continue.

As I prepared for the grand lodge session, I prepared a written agenda and had the various subjects of legislation distributed so that it went to the Craft with the proposals in their hands, in advance, in writing, to allow discussion to take place freely before the grand lodge session. This had not been done by a grand master for many decades, if at all.

The storm clouds began to swirl. I invited Brother Howie Damron to perform at the Grand Master’s Banquet before grand lodge opened, and he sang, “The Masonic Ring” and other favorites. Some of my predecessors objected and were turning colors in anger, and I was then implored to attend a meeting of past grand masters. The place of the meeting changed without notice to me, and I finally found them at about midnight and was told that my predecessors and all of the remaining progressive line were of the opinion that my actions and proposals were illegal and had to be withdrawn, or I would face their wrath. They said I had violated the landmarks, the Ancient Charges, the ritual, the usages and customs, and my obligation — so I was told, and this could not go forward. I said that the brothers would indeed debate and vote, and I later learned that the statements about unanimity in the room were exaggerated.

The following day, grand lodge opened, and I reported my actions and opinions to the Craft. Prominent among them was an outreach I had made to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of West Virginia through the Prince Hall Grand Master. Perhaps I went further than he would have liked, as I wrote him and telephoned him months earlier, and then visited the hotel of their grand lodge session, suggesting a meeting. For our grand lodge, I proposed language declaring it to be unmasonic conduct to refuse to seat a visitor to lodge if race was a reason, and it passed. On other subjects, the brothers voted to allow themselves the option to say the Pledge of Allegiance at lodge meetings. The brothers voted to allow handicapped candidates to petition.

We are the only grand lodge not to recognize or support the DeMolay, Rainbow Girls, or Job’s Daughters. We are the only grand lodge not to be members of the Masonic Service Association. We are the only grand lodge not to belong to a regional conference of grand masters. We are the only grand lodge to order the Scottish Rite not to perform one of their degrees, the Washington/Arnold 20th degree. The result? I am proud to say that the brothers voted not to persist in remaining a minority of one. The brothers voted to change these things.

By their votes, the brothers repealed an assortment of legislative state-wide restrictions, piled on over the decades, for specific, temporary reasons, by Masonic legislators. Dean Roscoe Pound in Masonic Jurisprudence observed, “Having no bills of rights in Masonry and hence nothing beyond a handful of vaguely defined landmarks to restrain him, what then are our barriers against the ravages of the zealous, energetic, ambitious Masonic law-maker? Legal barriers, there are none. But some of the most sacred interests of life have only moral security and on the whole do not lose thereby.”

The brothers in West Virginia voted to assert their moral security and to repeal bans of books, bans on films, and bans on slideshows, some implemented nearly fifty years ago for important reasons, apparent then, to deal with a moment in time. Royal Arch Chapter charters had been ordered to be removed from the walls of lodge rooms, but the brothers voted to allow them. Other art in a lodge room that included Masonic symbols or emblems other than the Blue Lodge had been prohibited, such as Scottish Rite or York Rite emblems or a tapestry hung on a concrete block wall, but the brothers voted to allow it — including portraits of local Past Grand High Priests and Past Grand Commanders, of whom they are justly proud.

The West Virginia brothers were forward-looking and voted to do what they thought was right. There was jubilation at the passing of the Wheeling Reforms at grand lodge in 2006. That lasted for a matter of days. Then we returned to the rearview looking glass, the rearview mirror, as the ballot was declared illegal by my successor. The vote was scorned. In my opinion, the best word to describe what is now happening as a result is: repression.

Since the Wheeling Reforms were struck down, we have heard it said that, although race is not a legitimate factor to use to exclude a qualified visitor, wink-wink, the Worshipful Master has the duty to preserve the “peace and harmony” of the lodge. So, promote peace and harmony, but, wink-wink, do not consider the race of the visitor, wink-wink.

Did you lose a thumb while fighting for your country? Which one? The left? — sign here on this membership petition. The right? We have ancient usages and customs, and we cannot put up with your kind.

Do you want a Masonic funeral? Your grandsons are prohibited from being pall bearers unless they are all Master Masons. You must explain these Masonic laws to your widow so that we do not have to leave her sobbing in the funeral home. There is no problem if you want your remains to be cremated. However, if you want your ashes to be scattered, it is “undignified” and we must walk away from your mourners, because if anyone knows that the lodge is present as a group, we will be reprimanded, again.

If youth organizations are having problems, their problems are not our problems, so be extremely careful if you try to help the kids. If our deceased brother’s obituary mentions his request that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to a hometown hospice, which comforted and cared for him on his deathbed, then the proper action of the lodge is... send the flowers, because such charity is forbidden. We will not join the Masonic Service Association, as every other grand lodge in North America does, because it is soft on Prince Hall and they will send their publications and Short Talk Bulletins to our members without our control. We will not join the Northeast Conference of Grand Masters or any other such conference because they have ideas that conflict with our laws and mostly because those other grand lodges recognize Prince Hall Masonry.

Friends, I am proud of the Wheeling Reforms. They were distributed so that the Craft had them in their hands, in advance, in writing, most of them for the first time in their lives. We debated until the brothers voted to end debate. We voted on the merits. The Wheeling Reforms passed. They lasted — until the stroke of a pen. Dick Bosely politely but persistently sought and was denied answers about this, and because he took a little bit too much time to sit down and shut up, he was instantly stripped of his title as Deputy Grand Lecturer and two weeks later was summarily expelled, and his alleged offense was committed in the presence of the Grand Master of Ohio. I engaged in free speech saying, as quoted by Grand Master Montgomery, “the dream lives on and will not die.” Now I am left without free speech and without Freemasonry, but I still have the dream.

For my dreams, I have sustained the maximum Masonic punishment — expulsion. It hurts. It hurts a great deal. I hope that it is temporary. In another feat of Orwellian double think, my detractors have extended their hatred further by deleting my name from the website list of Past Grand Masters of West Virginia and throwing it down the memory hole. The Craft in West Virginia is a resilient bunch — Montani Semper Liberi, Mountaineers are always free. They are unsure of what to do and how. They want to do the right thing — and do that thing right, but those who would continue the repression have the upper hand for now. I do not have a call to mobilization to outline for you. I am on the outside now. Your brethren in West Virginia have voted to do what they think is right. By their votes, they made a positive statement about race relations in the fraternity. By their votes, they tried to help the kids. By their votes, they welcomed the handicapped into the Craft. By their votes, they were in favor of patriotic expression in the lodge. All for naught. We are one large fraternity divided into grand lodges. What happens to us reflects upon you. What happens to one group of your brothers affects the whole. We lecture about Masonry Universal. Search yourself, my brethren. You may find yourself with an opportunity to help, aid, and assist — not me — but your worthy brothers in West Virginia in ways, large or small. Will you go on foot and out of your way for them? You may be able to speak the truth to power. As Lincoln counseled, be on the side of the angels. Will you encourage, nourish, and cherish your brethren in the state with the second highest per capita Masonic membership with your concern and your prayers? If for nothing else but your concern and your prayers, the brethren of West Virginia will thank you, Masonry Universal will thank you, and I thank you for sticking your necks out for Freemasonry.

Masons | Frank Haas | Charlie Montgomery | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

'Common Sense': Opposing Masonic tyranny

The "illegal" blog Masonic Crusade is reporting that conditions have further deteriorated in West Virginia Masonry between current Grand Master Charlie Montgomery and many W.V. Masons over the expulsion of Past Grand Master Frank Haas and another brother.

The Crusade reported that after an out-of-state brother visited a W.V. lodge and spoke in support of Haas' agenda (which after being approved by vote of the brethren was "dumped" by a later grand master), a "secret" letter has gone out from Montgomery to lodge Masters across the state dictating what can and cannot be discussed in lodge meetings. The Crusade says that the letter also warns Masters that they cannot reveal the contents or even the existence of the letter.

Bro. Chris at Freemasons for Dummies has weighed in with his own commentary on this matter, calling it a "Masonic crisis."

I think every free-thinking, freedom-loving Free-Mason should weigh in on this matter. If what is being reported is true, Masonry is truly diseased. As the Crusade writes, "we cannot let Charlie's mockery of real Masonic Principles go unanswered."

As we yammer and yaw about sometimes meaningless Masonic things on this blog and elsewhere, the very core of Masonic principles is being challenged in most unmasonic ways in West Virginia. A real revolution, far bigger than the troubles we've seen in Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, etc., is on the horizon, if not already taking place.

One thing that we inherited from British Masonry that strikes me as wrong is the idea that a grand master and a grand lodge are omnipotent and "infallible." Freemasonry is a fraternity, not a kingdom, and Freemasons are free citizens and brothers, not subjects. The line of succession in grand lodges is not unlike the monarchy in England, where the crown is handed down based on heredity. This "right of succession" was displayed almost arrogantly at the Georgia Grand Lodge I attended last fall. The new grand master, while introducing the junior grand officers, repeatedly referred to one man or another as his "Masonic son" or "Masonic grandson." Short of death, nothing will stop the line of succession, and nothing will ever change. "Election" of grand officers is a mere rubber-stamping by timid subjects, not votes by free men or Free Masons.

To the brothers in West Virginia, I have said:

If your Grand Master is indeed telling your lodges what they can and cannot discuss, and forbidding Masters to disclose his communications, then Masonic tyranny and terrorism has truly arrived.

Stand and fight, men. The Masonic world is not laughing at you; we are behind you.

Lately I've been reading Thomas Payne's "Common Sense." It is said that in early 1776, even the staunchest loyalist couldn't read this tract to the end without being persuaded to becoming pro-independence. Perhaps something in Payne's words can embolden West Virginia brethren to take action against King Charles' tyranny.

"O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth!" — Thomas Payne, "Common Sense"

I call upon the other 50 grand lodges in the U.S. to take action for the good of Masonry and Masons, and to rein in King Charles' abuse of power. And I call upon all Masons of good and noble character to learn more about what is going on in West Virginia, and to offer your brothers support, relief and brotherly love.

Image: Thomas Paine

Masons | Frank Haas | Charles Montgomery | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

WV's expelled past grand master invited to speak at Philalathes Society; his name disappears from WV grand lodge website

The Philalathes Society, a Masonic organization dedicated to research and dissemination of Masonic information, has invited recently expelled Past Grand Master Frank Haas of West Virginia to be the keynote speaker at their February 8, 2008 annual Feast and Forum in Alexandria, Virginia.

M. W. Bro Haas was expelled (many say illegally) last month by current West Virginia Grand Master M. W. Bro. Charles Montgomery. (See Montgomery's edict confirming expulsion, courtesy of the blog Masonic Crusade.)

Meanwhile, Bro. Hodapp at Freemasons for Dummies has astutely noted that Bro. Haas' name has disappeared from the Grand Lodge of West Virginia's website's list of past grand masters. Bro. Haas' name has been tossed down the memory hole.

Image: If you don't know who it is, it would be doubleplus unwise to even ask.

Masons | Masonic Villains | West Virginia Freemasonry | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

Past Grand Master of West Virginia expelled from Freemasonry

It seems that in most every online discussion about Masonry, a supporter of the Masonic status quo brings up the "fact" that Freemasonry is a "democracy," and says those who disagree with this or that can, by working within the system, effect positive change.

Apparently the brothers who met at the recent annual communication of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia did just that. In true "democratic spirit," they discussed several measures, and then voted on them.

It seems the new Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Charles Montgomery, didn't like the way the votes came out.

"I.M. Hiram" wrote in an email sent to at least a hundred West Virginia Masons back in September (reprinted on the blog Freemasons for Dummies):

...the current "old guard" Grand Lodge officers, and faction of like-minded Past Grand Masters and Jurisprudence committee whom they control said, in no uncertain terms that you, the men who overwhelmingly voted to approve these proposals "did not understand what they were voting for." Furthermore, they accused the two Masons charged with the counting of the ballots on the proposals, as having "miscounted" the ballots, and having left ballots in the ballot box, effectively speaking evil of their good name.

I.M. Hiram and his email recipients were threatened with expulsion. Apparently, the author of the blog Masonic Crusade has been, too.

The blogs Masonic Crusade and Freemasons for Dummies have now reported that Grand Master M. W. Bro. Charles Montgomery has expelled the Past Grand Master (2005-2006) of West Virginia R. W. Bro. Frank Haas along with the Deputy Grand Lecturer R. W. Bro. Richard K. Bosley. Haas was expelled during a meeting at Wellsburg Lodge No. 2. The lodge's charter was put on probation, it is reported, for failing to have brought charges against Bro. Haas.

Bro. Bosley had spoken on behalf of Bro. Haas during the meeting, and against some of the grand master's actions. He was later expelled in the parking lot after the meeting.

Democracy? What kind of democracy gives one man (who, if West Virginia's grand lodge is like Georgia's, wasn't truly "elected" but was simply "moved up the line") dictatorial powers to summarily throw out votes that represented the "will of the people" and to expel members — even former leaders — who disagree with him?

This is the kind of system we swore allegiance to? This is the type of Masonic leadership we pledged to obey?

God help us.

You can email the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. I'm sure your message will get through to the Grand Master.

Masons | Charles Montgomery | Frank Haas | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

Masonic unrest in West Virginia

Georgia. Alabama. Arkansas. Arizona. Connecticut. England. The Philippines.

There's another crack in the cement of brotherly love. This time it's in West Virginia.

Bro. Chris Hodapp, on his Freemasons for Dummies blog, gives us a glimpse into emails to and from a group of Masons, comprised of at least 100, and the Grand Master of Masons in West Virginia, M.W. Bro. Charles F. "Chuck" Coleman, II.

Apparently, the group is unhappy that measures they voted on, and passed, at the most recent Grand Lodge communication have been overturned unilaterally by the Grand Master.

A West Virginia Mason using the name I.M. Hiram sent out an email to a large group of supporters, and the email found its way to the Grand Master.

The Grand Master, it seems, immediately threatened expulsion of those who were a part of this email chain.

The motto displayed on the website of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia is "Building Bridges amongst Men through Brotherhood."

I recall that West Virginia's most famous bridge was the Silver Bridge, which collapsed into the Ohio River in 1967, killing 46 people, after area citizens had been repeatedly warned for over a year about the upcoming disaster by the appearance of the Mothman, a winged man-size creature with glowing red eyes.

Read the emails and Bro. Hodapp's commentary on his blog.

Image: Statue of the Mothman in Point Pleasant, West Virginia

Additional resource: More about Mothman

Masons | Masonic Disagreements | Mothman | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of West Virginia | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com