Explaining the importance of these findings, Moxon said that "This means that groups which violate civil rights as a matter of policy and practice cannot escape responsibility for crimes by stating 'well, that was done by an individual employee on his own initiative.' If someone acting for the KKK violates your rights, the KKK can be held liable, because such actions are consistent with their goals, policy and practice. The implications for a hate group like the old CAN are vast."
In a separate case which went to trial in U.S. District Court last year, a federal jury in Chicago found that CAN was a criminal clique and that its president, Cynthia Kisser, deprogrammed her own sister and then went on to conduct other assaults.
Following the 1995 verdict, the old CAN declared bankruptcy and its name and assets were purchased by a consortium of religious groups, the Foundation for Religious Freedom, intent upon reversing CAN's previous campaign of prejudice and intolerance. The new group promotes religious liberty and family communication and understanding to resolve disputes regarding religious beliefs. More than 5,000 individuals have telephoned its hotline to date and obtained help or information.
The new CAN's chairman, Rev. Dr. George Robertson, vice president of Maryland Bible College and a Baptist minister, said, "We applaud this decision as the death blow to a former reign of religious terrorism, fueled by lies, fear and bigotry. We feel religious liberty is America's most important freedom."
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