Finding Aid for the Mitchell-Synanon Litigation Papers, 1979-1989
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Overview of the Collection
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| Creator |
Synanon Foundation |
| Title |
Mitchell-Synanon Litigation Papers |
| Dates |
1979-1989 |
| Extent |
6.0 linear feet |
| Abstract |
This collection houses litigation documents and legal correspondence documenting a series of lawsuits that arose from an article entitled "The Little Paper That Dared" (published in Reader's Digest in 1981) concerning the practices of the Synanon Foundation. |
| MS Number |
MS-1711 |
| Repository |
University of Tennessee Libraries
Special Collections
121 John C. Hodges Library
1015 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, TN 37996-0001
Phone: (865) 974-4480
E-Mail: AskUsNow! |
Biographical/Historical Note
Charles Dederich (1913-1997) established Synanon in 1958 as a rehabilitation center designed to help chronic substance abusers overcome their dependence on alcohol and other drugs. The central feature of Dederich's system was the Game, which was designed to strip its players of the mechanisms that kept them addicted. In this practice (modeled in part on the Oneida Community system of mutual criticism) the participants verbally attacked one another in order to force each other to recognize and eliminate their own self-destructive behaviors. Synanon became a social movement dedicated to creating an alternative society in 1969 and a religion (with Dederich acting as priest and pope) in 1975. The group disbanded in 1991 after the IRS functionally eliminated its economic base by refusing to grant the church tax-exempt status.
Although Synanon was controversial from its beginnings, it was criticized particularly after its transformation into a religion and its subsequent near total isolation and increasingly violent philosophy (including an attempt to murder Attorney Paul Morantz, who had recently won a case against Synanon, in 1977). Not surprisingly, the organization was sued many times. The case best documented in this collection is Macyl Burke v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., which was filed in response to what Dederich perceived as the publication's gross misrepresentation of his organization. The case was decided in favor of Reader's Digest.
Scope and Content Note
This collection houses litigation documents and legal correspondence documenting a series of lawsuits that arose from an article entitled "The Little Paper That Dared" (published in Reader's Digest in 1981) concerning the practices of the Synanon Foundation.
Arrangement Note
Collection consists of four boxes.
Restrictions
Access RestrictionsManuscript collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 24 hours is needed to retrieve these items for research use. Readers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.
Use RestrictionsThe copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
Subject Terms
Narcotic habit -- United States.
Synanon (Foundation).
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation[Identification of Item], Mitchell-Synanon Litigation Papers, MS-1711. University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville, Special Collections.
Acquisitions InformationCatherine C. Mitchell donated this collection to the University of Tennessee Special Collections Library in June of 1990.
Container List
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Folder |
| 1 |
1 |
Chronological Guide of Correspondence and Documents of Mitchell-Synanon Litigation, 1979-1989 |
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2 |
General Correspondence: Synanon Litigation, 1979-1985 |
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3 |
Correspondence of Catherine Mitchell: Synanon Litigation, 1979-1989 |
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4 |
General Correspondence: Publishing Companies, 1979-1982 |
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5 |
Correspondence of Catherine Mitchell: Publishers, 1979-1982 |
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6 |
Litigation Documents: Synanon Church/Charles Dederick v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1982 |
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7 |
Catalog of Principal Events, 1982 |
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8 |
Litigation Documents: Synanon Church/Charles Dederick v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1983 |
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9 |
Litigation Documents: Synanon Church/Charles Dederick v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1984 |
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10 |
Litigation Documents: Synanon Church/Charles Dederick v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1985-1986 |
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11 |
Petitions for writ of mandate, 1983-1984 |
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Litigation Documents: Synanon Foundation v. Bernstein, 1983 |
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Litigation Documents: Synanon Foundation v. Continental Insurance, 1985 |
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Litigation Documents: Synanon Foundation v. Richard Ofshe, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1984 |
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4 |
Litigation Documents: Synanon Church v. United States of America |
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Litigation Documents: Louis Mountanos v. Playboy Enterprises, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et. al., 1984 |
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Litigation Documents: Louis Mountanos v. Reader's Digest, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1982 |
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7 |
Litigation Documents: Louis Mountanos v. Reader's Digest, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1983 |
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8 |
Litigation Documents: Louis Mountanos v. Reader's Digest, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1984 |
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9 |
Exhibits to Petition for Writ of Mandate |
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Supreme Court Jurisdictional Statement |
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Litigation Documents: Macyl Burke v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1982 |
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Litigation Documents: Macyl Burke v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1983 |
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Litigation Documents: Macyl Burke v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1984 |
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Litigation Documents: Macyl Burke v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1984 |
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5 |
Litigation Documents: Macyl Burke v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1985 |
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Litigation Documents: Macyl Burke v. Reader's Digest, D. MacDonald, D. Mitchell, C. Mitchell, et al., 1986 |
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7 |
Synanon Litigation News Articles, 1982-1984 |
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8 |
UPI News Release on Synanon, 1983 |
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AP News Release on Synanon, 1985 |
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Book Reviews (The Corporate Cult) |
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Literary Contracts (Ofshe, Mitchells) |
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Consultant Agreement with R. Ofshe, 1979 |
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Publishing Contract with Seaview Books, 1979 |
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5 |
Photo Releases for Book |
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6 |
Index of Photos for Book |
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8 |
Royalty Receipts From Light on Synanon, 1981 |
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Outline for Out of Control: The Synanon Case |
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Source List. (D. MacDonald) |
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Screenplay of T.V. Movie: Light on Synanon (3 copies) |
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Scene Shooting Schedules of T.V. Movie: The Light on Synanon |
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Printout of Synanon Indictments, 1982 |
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14 |
Insurance Waiver Agreement, 1982 |
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15 |
Federal Express Receipt |
