The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Paul Morantz, an attorney with a journalism background, became one of Synanon’s most prominent opponents after helping a couple whose wife had entered the group. Matt Novak’s 2014 interview-based profile reports that Morantz arranged her release, later won a reported $300,000 for the couple, and survived a rattlesnake attack in 1978. A separate federal case in 1984 ended with Synanon’s lawsuit against the United States dismissed for fraud upon the court—but that was not Morantz’s personal case.
Who was Paul Morantz?
Morantz was an attorney and former journalist who became involved in advocacy against Synanon. His story is told in Matt Novak’s interview-based 2014 Gizmodo profile. Details of his personal cases and the attack below are attributed to that account, rather than treated as findings established by the separate federal opinion.
![Under Suspicion [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HVwCa4C-L._SL160_.jpg)
Novak identifies Morantz’s memoir as Escape: My Lifelong War Against Cults. The profile also names The Light on Synanon, by Dave Mitchell, Cathy Mitchell, and Richard Ofshe, a book about the Point Reyes Light’s reporting.
How did Morantz become involved with Synanon?
Novak reports that in 1977 a man identified as Ted asked Morantz for help because Synanon would not allow him contact with his wife, Terry, who had entered the group. According to the profile, Morantz prepared a release document that helped secure Terry’s departure, then represented the couple in a lawsuit.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute#1 Best Overall
- 100 high-grade non-rewritable DVD+R discs with a one hundred year archival life and OEM drive certified
- Advanced AZO recording dye optimizes read/write performance allowing to record in approximately 5 minutes
- 4.7GB is ideal for storing digital images, music , video and more. Each DVD+R allows you to store up to 1550 photos or more than 120 minutes of 720p video
- Compatible with most DVD-R and DVD+R drives including Pioneer, Apple, Sony, Dell, LG, HP, Lenovo and others
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
Novak reports that the suit resulted in a $300,000 award for Terry and Ted. That amount is reported by the profile; the federal court opinion discussed below concerns a different case and does not establish the couple’s award.
What happened when a rattlesnake was put in Morantz’s mailbox?
Novak’s profile dates the attack to October 10, 1978. It reports that a rattlesnake placed in Morantz’s mailbox bit him. The profile also says two men who planted the snake received jail sentences and Synanon founder Charles Dederich received five years’ probation. Those criminal outcomes are reported by Novak, not documented by the federal opinion on Synanon’s tax-exemption litigation.
Rank #2
What was Synanon’s 1984 federal case?
In a distinct proceeding, Synanon Church sued the United States over its tax-exempt status. On March 8, 1984, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed Synanon’s case with prejudice for fraud upon the court. The opinion describes deliberate destruction of tapes and alteration of records relevant to an IRS audit.
Judge Charles R. Richey wrote: “For the reasons set forth below, the court has determined that this case will be dismissed with prejudice for plaintiff’s fraud upon the court, and judgment will be entered in favor of the United States.” The ruling in Synanon Church v. United States, 579 F. Supp. 967, was about Synanon’s conduct in that litigation. It was not a judgment in Morantz’s case against the group.
Rank #3
- 50 high-grade non-rewritable DVD+R inkjet printable discs with a one hundred year archival life and OEM drive certified
- Full-color, high resolution, photo-quality printing with fast Ink drying & longer lasting colors. Superior ink absorption on high-resolution 5,760 DPI printers
- 4.7GB allows you to store up to 1550 photos or more than 120 minutes of 720p video
- Qualified for use with CD/DVD inkjet printers from Primera, Microboards, Epson and others.
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a 1 year limited warranty and technical support
Did Paul Morantz bring down Synanon?
Morantz fought Synanon through individual advocacy and litigation, and Novak’s account portrays the rattlesnake attack as part of the danger faced by people opposing the group. But the evidence here does not support saying that he alone brought Synanon down. The 1984 federal tax-exemption ruling was a separate legal defeat, based on misconduct before the court. The clearest account keeps those strands distinct: Morantz’s work for Terry and Ted, the violence reported in 1978, and the government’s later litigation over tax-exempt status.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 15 high-grade non-rewritable DVD+R discs with a one hundred year archival life; OEM drive certified
- Advanced AZO recording dye optimizes read/write performance and is supported by high speed double layer writers.
- Blazing speeds up to 10X allow for 8.5GB files to record in approximately 12-15 minutes and store 4 hours of DVD quality television and video
- Ideal for archiving home movies. Compatible with most DVD-R and DVD+R drives including Pioneer, Apple, Sony, Dell, LG, HP, Lenovo and others
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
Rank #4
- [100 High-Grade Non-Rewritable DVD-R Blank Discs] Logo Top Branded discs, perfect for movies, music, and data storage – ideal writable blank DVDs for burning videos, audio, or files.
- [4.7GB of Storage] Each blank DVD-R disc holds up to 120 minutes of high-quality audio/video or 4.7GB of photos, videos, or data files – ideal for blank DVDs in 100 packs.
- [Fast Burn Speed] With up to 16x burn speed, you can record 4.7GB or 2 hours of content in just minutes – reliable blank DVD discs for quick data recording.
- [Excellent Compatibility] These blank DVD discs offer great compatibility with CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives, gaming systems, and players, ensuring smooth playback of recorded content.
- [Archival Quality] Store your data for decades on these long-lasting, high-quality blank DVD-R discs – the perfect blank DVD discs for burning and archival storage.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
