Joao de Deus: Brazil 'spiritual healer' ('John of God') accused of sex abuse

A dozen women have come forward in Brazil to accuse a prominent self-styled spiritual healer of sexually abusing them at his clinic.

Joao Teixeira de Faria - known as "Joao of God" - is based in the town of Abadiania but has followers worldwide.

A Dutch photographer, Zahira Leeneke Maus, told Globo TV that he had manipulated her into performing sex acts and then raped her.

In a statement to Globo, Mr Faria's office strongly denied the allegations.
It said the 76-year-old had used his powers to treat thousands of people, and "vehemently rejects (allegations of) any improper practice during his treatments".

Nine Brazilian women, who remained anonymous, also told Globo TV that the self-declared healer had abused them on the premise of transferring his "cleansing" energy.

Some said they had been seeking a cure for depression when the alleged abuse took place.

The related O Globo newspaper later said it had spoken to two further women with similar allegations.

• Brazil country profile
  

Mr Faria who is not a medical doctor, has previously been fined and jailed for operating without a licence.
US TV host Oprah Winfrey travelled to Brazil in 2013 to meet him, and witnessed him performing his "psychic surgery" at his clinic, west of the capital Brasilia.

According to ABC News, Mr Faria claims that the spirits of more than 30 doctors and other entities can enter his body, and that they perform the healings.

There have been many testimonials about sexual allegations floating on the internet. So it is time, these rumors come out and let’s see what really happened. Just as crap is coming out in Hollywood, we need to find out what exactly is happening or has happened in Abadiania. Are impropriate gropings, molestations true or just a fake news.
[Only admins are allowed to see this link]

SAO PAULO: Famed Brazilian "spiritual healer" Joao de Deus, accused of sexually abusing hundreds of women under the pretext of treating them, surrendered to authorities on Sunday (Dec 16), Brazilian media reported.

An arrest warrant was issued Friday for the 76-year-old medium, whose real name is Joao Teixeira de Faria but who is widely known as "John of God."

For years, he had received thousands of believers each week - including numerous celebrities - at his temple in the town of Abadiania, in Goias state, near the capital Brasilia.

A cell-phone video filmed by a journalist and broadcast on the Globo news channel shows a weary-looking, downcast Faria stepping out of a car on an unpaved road before surrendering to waiting police.

Several television stations then broadcast live scenes of his arrival in a police cruiser with tinted windows at police headquarters in Goiania, the capital of Goias.

'DIVINE' AND 'EARTHLY JUSTICE'

In the video, Faria is heard saying that when he learned of the accusations against him, "I surrendered to divine justice and, as promised, I now place myself in the hands of earthly justice."
His lawyer Alberto Toron told reporters he would seek Faria's release on Monday and hoped he could be assigned to house arrest.

Faria has insisted on his innocence.

But on Wednesday, according to O Globo newspaper, he withdrew 35 million reais (US$8.9 million) from several bank accounts.

That suspiciously large withdrawal prompted authorities to issue the arrest warrant on Friday to prevent Faria from fleeing the country or hiding the money, news media reported.

The scandal erupted after TV Globo, Brazil's largest television network, broadcast an investigative report on Faria, including testimony from women who said he had forced them, during the "healing" seances, to masturbate him or practice fellatio on him.

Following the broadcast, hundreds of women came forward with similar complaints.

The prosecutor's office in Goias said it had received 330 complaints from all parts of Brazil, as well as from Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.

Faria's reputation reached far beyond Brazil. American TV superstar Oprah Winfrey visited him in 2012, and the last three Brazilian presidents had consulted with him.

Candlelight.kk wrote:

SAO PAULO: Famed Brazilian "spiritual healer" Joao de Deus, accused of sexually abusing hundreds of women under the pretext of treating them, surrendered to authorities on Sunday (Dec 16), Brazilian media reported.

An arrest warrant was issued Friday for the 76-year-old medium, whose real name is Joao Teixeira de Faria but who is widely known as "John of God."

For years, he had received thousands of believers each week - including numerous celebrities - at his temple in the town of Abadiania, in Goias state, near the capital Brasilia.

A cell-phone video filmed by a journalist and broadcast on the Globo news channel shows a weary-looking, downcast Faria stepping out of a car on an unpaved road before surrendering to waiting police.

Several television stations then broadcast live scenes of his arrival in a police cruiser with tinted windows at police headquarters in Goiania, the capital of Goias.

'DIVINE' AND 'EARTHLY JUSTICE'

In the video, Faria is heard saying that when he learned of the accusations against him, "I surrendered to divine justice and, as promised, I now place myself in the hands of earthly justice."
His lawyer Alberto Toron told reporters he would seek Faria's release on Monday and hoped he could be assigned to house arrest.

Faria has insisted on his innocence.

But on Wednesday, according to O Globo newspaper, he withdrew 35 million reais (US$8.9 million) from several bank accounts.

That suspiciously large withdrawal prompted authorities to issue the arrest warrant on Friday to prevent Faria from fleeing the country or hiding the money, news media reported.

The scandal erupted after TV Globo, Brazil's largest television network, broadcast an investigative report on Faria, including testimony from women who said he had forced them, during the "healing" seances, to masturbate him or practice fellatio on him.

Following the broadcast, hundreds of women came forward with similar complaints.

The prosecutor's office in Goias said it had received 330 complaints from all parts of Brazil, as well as from Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.

Faria's reputation reached far beyond Brazil. American TV superstar Oprah Winfrey visited him in 2012, and the last three Brazilian presidents had consulted with him.

Source: AFP/de

Read more at [Only admins are allowed to see this link]

Candlelight.kk wrote:The American Olympics trainer ?

• Spiritual healer Joao Teixeira de Faria, 76, has been accused of sexual abuse 
  
• Around 300 other women have claimed Faria has sexually assaulted them 
  
• Police questioning Faria said electrical items began to malfunction in the room
  

Detectives questioning a celebrity medium in Brazil, accused of sexually abusing more than 300 women, have reported spooky goings-on during their two hour interrogation.
Unexplained incidents ranging from a 'bizarre' computer crash to wiring on electrical appliances suddenly 'short circuiting' appears to suggest supernatural forces were at play during the interview.
The mysterious problems unnerved cops but didn't deter them from collecting the testimony from faith healer, João Teixeira de Faria, who is known as João de Deus – John of God on Sunday night in Goiânia.

Detective Karla Fernandes, responsible for coordinating the task force investigating the allegations, claimed that as the spiritual guru began to speak, strange things started to happen.
She said to Folha de Sao Paulo: 'Suddenly the computer that was being used to transcribe the suspect's answers to the allegations seemed to have a life of its own and the commands on the keyboard wouldn't work.
'When the clerk tried to enter the medium's statement, the keys locked on a specific letter and 'OOOOOOO' was recorded continuously on the screen for a few seconds.'
Although this has never happened before, bemused agents put the incident down to a faulty computer.

But when the printer in the room began to print without receiving a command and a fridge blew up, their thoughts turned to paranormal interference.
Det Fernandes said: 'It was hot in the interrogation room and I decided to turn on the air conditioning.
'I plugged the lead into an extension shared with a mini-fridge and the electrical wiring suddenly exploded, burning out the fridge. Everyone in the room screamed with fright.'
According to the officer, the 76-year-old spiritual healer, who is accused of sexually molesting women during private consultations at his clinic, stayed silent.
She said: 'Although these things happened and surprised us, they failed to interfere with our work. He (John of God) didn't say a word.'

Court documents show that Teixeira tried to withdraw nearly $9 million before surrendering to police on Sunday. The documents seen by The Associated Press are part of a judge's ruling rejecting bail.
Fagner Pinho of the prosecutor's office also said Wednesday that investigators found firearms and large quantities of cash in a house used by Teixeira as a spiritual retreat.   
Investigators also believe that two unexplained incidents which occurred prior to Teixeira giving himself up, could be linked to the occult.

A police clerk, who was meant to transcribe the faith healer's testimony at the police station in the rural town of Annapolis, was run over in a car accident and broke his arm.
Investigators originally intended to question the suspect at this small outpost. But the unexpected incident meant the interview had to be transferred to Goiânia, the capital of the state of Goiás.
And last Friday as the press staked out John of God's house in the city of Abadiânia, rumours began to circulate that 'spirits' had cursed the reporters, photographers and TV camera crew who had camped for nearly 24 hours waiting for the psychic healer to surrender after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Hardened professionals admitted they started praying when a news agency photographer in the press pack suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness for a few minutes.
Many who were reluctant to admit the 'episode' was associated with John of God's 'mystic powers', did concede that a paranormal association wasn't so 'far-fetched'.
Det Fernandes agreed the unexplained happenings cannot be 'flippantly' dismissed.
'I accept that we are dealing with a situation that involves beliefs and mystic energies,' she said adding she believes John of God has supernatural powers.
'I'm spiritualist and a believer in the spirit world and the paranormal. Although I'm not afraid, I do have a healthy respect for the unknown.'

Teixeira has denied allegations that he sexually violated hundreds of women, including his own daughter, under the pretence of administering mystical treatments.
His lawyer claimed his client is being 'persecuted' and the complaints made by hundreds of women, with the number now topping some 500, are coming from 'people who want to destroy him.' 
Many people also say they were underage at the time of the abuse. 
The mystic has been detained in custody and on Monday as agents started the search of the faith healer's premises, a court denied an appeal for bail.
The bombshell allegations have sent shock waves across the world.
John of God became famous for performing 'miracle surgeries' on hundreds of thousands of people from all over the globe. He has been practising since 1976 and is revered as a 'powerful' spiritual force. He has been interviewed by Oprah and has treated Bill Clinton.
Many followers have allegedly been cured of cancers, disabilities, psychological illnesses and numerous other ailments while attending his alternative treatment clinic in central west Brazil.

mac wrote:Great way to put the scares on the police!

Hardened professionals admitted they started praying when a news agency photographer in the press pack suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness for a few minutes.

Det Fernandes agreed the unexplained happenings cannot be 'flippantly' dismissed.
'I accept that we are dealing with a situation that involves beliefs and mystic energies,' she said adding she believes John of God has supernatural powers.
'I'm spiritualist and a believer in the spirit world and the paranormal. Although I'm not afraid, I do have a healthy respect for the unknown.'

He is illiterate, humble and always deferential to others whom he considers truly Divine. Brazil's Joao de Deus, or John of God, was born poor, accepted his energy gift at 16 years of age and has since healed large numbers of people, millions perhaps, by channelling more powerful entities than himself. Or so the narrative goes.

Misty wrote:He has been jailed and fined before for practising medicine without a licence and they will probably charge him for that again.

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Prosecutors on Thursday charged a disgraced Brazilian faith healer with rape and sexual assault, following his arrest after allegations from hundreds of women who said he had sexually abused them while seeking spiritual guidance or psychic healing from him.

João Teixeira de Faria, known as “John of God,” was arrested earlier this month and has been imprisoned since.

He became a celebrity after his healing methods were featured on Oprah Winfrey’s television show in 2013 and drew thousands of Brazilians and foreigners to his spiritual center in the small town of Abadiânia, in the central Brazilian state of Goiás.

His fame has been boosted by supposedly miraculous surgeries he claims to have performed with his hands and without anesthesia.

Goiás prosecutors charged Faria on Friday on four counts of rape and sexual assault, a spokesman said in a statement. Farias has repeatedly said he is innocent.

The accusers are not just Brazilian citizens, according to prosecutors, and include four women from the United States, three from Australia and three from different parts of Europe.

The wife of psychic João Teixeira Faria, known as João de Deus (John of God), Ana Keyla Teixeira (40) can be indicted as an accomplice in the crimes of illegal gun ownership and money laundering, according to the police.

Lead investigator Paula Meotti confirmed it on Wednesday (26th) after hearing Ana Keyla's deposition in Goiânia. John of God's attorney denies all crimes and his wife says all accusations are slander.

Later, during his deposition, the psychic denied any recollection of the women accusation him of molestation. He also rejected any crimes during his spiritual treatments at his center in the small town of Abadiânia, 56 miles away from Goiânia.
Ana Keyla Teixeira, John of God's wife, might be indicted as an accomplice in the crimes of illegal gun ownership and money laundering - Folhapress

Meotti says Ana Keyla is a person of interest in the John of God case. "We are still considering if she will be a key witness or an accomplice, because she would, in theory, know all about the history of sexual abuse," the police officer said.

"We searched the couple's bedroom and private quarters," she said, in connection to the US$ 410,000 (R$ 1.6 million), six guns and gemstones that the police found in some of John of God's properties.

The psychic is in custody in a Goiânia jail since December 16th, after turning himself in.

"Psychic's defense team denies all abuse allegations, and Ana Keyla Teixeira says accusations are slanderous"

Nearly 600 complaints were sent to police this month. But many have had to be excluded from the criminal investigation because the acts they alleged happened so many years ago the statute of limitations had lapsed.

Prosecutors in Goias state handling the case told reporters that 255 women had been identified as potential victims whose allegations were being taken into account. Their ages ranged between 9 and 67 at the time they said they were abused.

Police conducted raids on properties linked to Faria and found handguns, gemstones and – hidden behind a false panel in a wardrobe – a suitcase containing the equivalent of US$300,000 in cash.

Just before his arrest, transactions amounting to US$9 million were detected in Faria’s accounts.

The discovery of the weapons prompted a judge on Friday to order additional charges against Faria, saying the investigation suggested the faith healer could be “heading a criminal organisation,” according to the G1 news website.

Faria’s lawyer protested that the judge “made a serious affirmation without any empirical basis”. He also contested the legality of the searches.

The Brazilian celebrity faith healer accused of sexually abusing hundreds of women is now facing allegations he sold babies to foreigners, including Australians, for up to $70,000 each.

Now, John of God has been hit with stunning new claims that he operated a baby-selling and human trafficking ring from his spiritual compound in Abadiania, 130km south-west of Brasilia.

Prosecutors have reportedly been given information that an unknown number of adoptive parents from five countries, including Australia and the US, bought Brazilian babies for a price between $27,000 and $70,000, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo.

The infants were said to be born to impoverished mothers who lived around John of God's compound, the newspaper reported.

Deals for the babies were allegedly brokered by guides, the name given to staunch John of God believers who live in Western countries and assist the travel plans for those wishing to visit the centre in Brazil.

Through his lawyer, Mr De Faria denied all accusations and stated there was no evidence to back up the claims. He has remained in custody since his arrest in December, and he is due to be questioned further by investigators today.

Thousands of Australians, many suffering terminal or debilitating illnesses, have journeyed to John of God's spiritual retreat Casa de Dom Inacio.

Mr Faria's critics have argued the faith healer is nothing more than a charlatan, fleecing the vulnerable for millions of dollars.

Dressed in all white, they once arrived in their thousands in the small Brazilian town, hoping to find a cure for cancer, blindness or to stand and rise from their wheelchairs.
But since the dramatic arrest of celebrity faith healer John of God, who boasted he was blessed with divine healing powers, Abadiânia has become a ghost town.

AN ACTIVIST whose claims led to the "rape" arrest of a celebrity healer called John of God has taken her own life at her hideaway in Spain.
Sex abuse support group Victimas Unidas, which worked with Sabrina Bittencourt, said she had left a note explaining why she killed herself.

Eldest son Gabriel Baum confirmed her death, writing on Facebook: “She took the last step so that we could live. They killed my mother.”
More than 600 women have accused John of God - real name Joao Teixeira de Faria - of sexually abusing them during so-called healing sessions.
He was arrested in his homeland of Brazil in December and remanded in prison before being charged with rape and sexual assault.
The cult leader gained international fame in 2010 when US TV star Oprah Winfrey visited his retreat to interview him for her talk show.
She wrote she left feeling “an overwhelming sense of peace”, although she later deleted the comments and has since said she hopes justice is done.
Teixeira de Faria’s claims of healing powers brought people from around the world to his compounds in the small town of Abadiania.

BABY FARM CLAIMS

Bill Clinton and supermodel Naomi Campbell are rumoured to be among the high-profile celebrities to have visited the 77-year-old.
Mrs Bittencourt, 38, who was "living under the protection" after receiving death threats, claimed Teixeira de Faria ran a “sex slave farm.”
The mum-of-three claimed young girls were held captive to produce babies to be sold on the black market before being murdered.
She was quoted as saying: “Hundreds of girls were enslaved over years, lived on farms in Goias, served as wombs to get pregnant, for their babies to be sold.”
Mrs Bittencourt said she had received reports of the newborns being sold for up to £40,000 in Europe, USA and Australia.
She added: “These girls were murdered after 10 years of giving birth. We have got a number of testimonies.”
Announcing her death Vitimas Unidas said: "(The) group announces with regret the death of Sabrina Bittencourt, which occurred around 9pm on Saturday in Barcelona.
“The activist committed suicide and left a farewell note explaining the reasons why she took her own life.
“We ask you all not to try to contact her relatives. Two of her three children are still not aware of what happened and their father, Rafael Velasco, is trying to protect them.”

The defense attorneys of João de Deus will file with Deic tomorrow, Monday 19th, request to know who is the author of the fake petition in Bacchus Itaú and that led to the decree of arrest of the medium on suspicion that would make a withdrawal of R $ 35 million to flee the country. Based on this false information, the court ordered his arrest.

John of God, the Brazilian healer also known as Joao de Deus was accused of sexual assault from hundreds of women and was arrested. He is currently in jail. Are these claims of sexual abuse true?
In this video I am talking for the first time about these sexual assault charges and Amy Biank, Sabrina Bittencourt and Zahira Lieneke Mous. Biank said in an interview with Laura Eisenhower she was a witness to an abusive act in John of God’s office. Now Gail discusses the issue with them talking about private sessions in John of God’s room.
Please vote and comment as this will be seen by the legal affairs in Brazil.

Misty wrote:This video was published on YouTube on 25th March 2019
by Gail Thackray

In this video Laura Eisenhower interviews the Whistleblower of John of God -- Amy Biank. We will discuss the allegations being thrown at John of God in relation to sexual abuse, pedophilia, child-trafficking and murder. She shares her experience there, what she witnessed and what she knows about the whole situation

Today, authorities believe that João de Faria has approximately 90 properties in his name and that of his current wife, Ana Keyla Teixeira Lourenço. The period of acquisition of the goods goes until November 2018. There is a possibility that the medium has used the name of oranges as a way to hide part of the patrimony. The Justice of Goias determined the breach of bank secrecy and tax of 12 people linked to him to cross information. All are considered people of extreme confidence of the medium. In the list of suspects are the wife of João de Deus and the administrator of the Casa Dom Inácio de Loyola, Hamilton Pereira. In the specific case of Hamilton, as he was mayor of Abadiânia, members of the Civil Police do not rule out possible political developments, although this is not at present the focus of the investigation.

Detective Karla Fernandes told the press:  "Suddenly the computer that was being used to transcribe the suspect's answers to the allegations seemed to have a life of its own and the commands on the keyboard wouldn't work.
When the clerk tried to enter the medium's statement, the keys locked on a specific letter and OOOOOOO was recorded continuously on the screen for a few seconds."

As this had never occurred before, police put it down to a faulty computer, then a printer in the room started to print of its own accord and a fridge blew up.
Detective Fernandes said: "It was hot in the interrogation room and I decided to turn on the air conditioning.
I plugged the lead into an extension shared with a mini-fridge and the electrical wiring suddenly exploded, burning out the fridge.  Everyone in the room screamed with fright.  He (John of God) didn't say a word."

One press report said investigators also believe that two unexplained incidents which occurred before Faria gave himself up "could be lined to the occult."  "A police clerk, who was meant to transcribe the faith healer's testimony at the police station in the rural town of Annapolis, was run over in a car accident and broke his arm.
Investigators originally intended to question the suspect at this small outpost, but the unexpected incident meant the interview had to be transferred to Goliaia, the capital of the state of Goias.
As the press staked out John of God's house in the city of Abadiania, rumours began to circulate that 'spirits' had cursed the reporters, photographers and TV camera crew who had camped for nearly 24 hours waiting for the psychic healer to surrender after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Hardened professionals admitted they started praying when a news agency photographer in the press pack suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness for a few minutes."

Today, authorities believe that João de Faria has approximately 90 properties in his name and that of his current wife, Ana Keyla Teixeira Lourenço. The period of acquisition of the goods goes until November 2018. There is a possibility that the medium has used the name of oranges as a way to hide part of the patrimony. The Justice of Goias determined the breach of bank secrecy and tax of 12 people linked to him to cross information. All are considered people of extreme confidence of the medium. In the list of suspects are the wife of João de Deus and the administrator of the Casa Dom Inácio de Loyola, Hamilton Pereira. In the specific case of Hamilton, as he was mayor of Abadiânia, members of the Civil Police do not rule out possible political developments, although this is not at present the focus of the investigation.

Misty wrote:and there is still a lot more to be looked into regarding all his other shady dealings, in addition to those charges.
According to that Australia 60 minutes report which was made in 2014

Today, authorities believe that João de Faria has approximately 90 properties in his name and that of his current wife, Ana Keyla Teixeira Lourenço. The period of acquisition of the goods goes until November 2018. There is a possibility that the medium has used the name of oranges as a way to hide part of the patrimony. The Justice of Goias determined the breach of bank secrecy and tax of 12 people linked to him to cross information. All are considered people of extreme confidence of the medium. In the list of suspects are the wife of João de Deus and the administrator of the Casa Dom Inácio de Loyola, Hamilton Pereira. In the specific case of Hamilton, as he was mayor of Abadiânia, members of the Civil Police do not rule out possible political developments, although this is not at present the focus of the investigation.

theres a lot more people involved too.  All of them including his wife need to be properly investigated , if not already happening.  Theres a lot more still to come I think.