Blackburn Cult - Indicted For Grand Theft

Indicted For Grand Theft

In 1929 group leaders were indicted in Los Angeles for grand theft and investigated in the disappearances of several members. These indictments created a media sensation at the time the background on the grand theft was revealed to the public. May Otis Blackburn was charged with twelve counts of grand theft, and articles at that time referred to Blackburn as a "cult leader."

According to TIME Magazine article "California Cults", the Blackburn Cult was also known as "The Great Eleven", and May Otis Blackburn was referred to as "Heel of God." The cult later collapsed after May Otis Blackburn was imprisoned for stealing $40,000 from Clifford Dabney.

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