Following in Tom Neal’s shoes of an attention grabbing headline, however there really are parties of this nature happening in Shawano. It’s part of an investigative news story reported by Mikel Lauber for the station. Shot by myself and Brooke Sperry and edited by myself. The owner of the hotel where these things are happening is the leader of a group that has claimed to be religious, going by the name “The Disciples of Jesus Christ” among other things.
They claim to be getting money together for schools in both Shawano and in India, where their leader hails from. The man has changed his name three times now and has rarely been seen and almost never photographed.
The community within the small community of Shawano is well known by area residents, but how many of us in the central Wisconsin area know much, if anything about them? Starting in 2000 the group started buying many properties in the Shawano area, owes thousands of dollars in back taxes from 2007 and keeps a blue tarp over their compound that was built in the 70’s under cover of night.
Starting to air this Monday, this series will examine the group from many angles. From the group which when asked for comment kicked us off their property, to ex-members, local officials and cult experts.
I’m very proud of this series and Mikel has done an amazing job with it. Tune into WSAW, Newschannel 7 for the series, which is current four parts, almost all of next week.
Sorry for this being almost an advertisement, but I’m really excited about this series. Expect commentary if I have time.