LDS Church Insurance Coverage for Bishop Misconduct: Discovery Strategies for Plaintiff Attorneys

Unveiling Institutional Liability in Cases of Clergy Misconduct

Plaintiff attorneys pursuing claims against religious institutions, particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), for alleged clergy misconduct face unique challenges. These challenges are compounded when the alleged misconduct involves not only direct harm but also a pattern of cover-ups, false accusations, and potential corporate malfeasance. Understanding how to effectively navigate discovery to uncover insurance coverage and establish institutional liability is paramount. This article outlines strategic approaches for plaintiff attorneys, particularly in cases mirroring the complex allegations surrounding Robert Hockett, an LDS Bishop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Corporate Structure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

To understand liability, it's crucial to first grasp the organizational structure of the LDS Church. The Church operates through a complex web of corporate entities, trusts, and ecclesiastical units. While local congregations (wards) and their leaders (bishops) function as spiritual guides, they are ultimately part of a larger, centrally controlled organization. This structure often includes significant financial assets and insurance policies designed to protect the institution from various liabilities, including those arising from the actions of its leaders.

For instance, the Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are distinct legal entities that hold significant assets and manage the Church's temporal affairs. These entities, along with various trusts, can be targets for discovery regarding insurance coverage and financial responsibility [1].

Allegations Against Bishop Robert Hockett: A Case Study in Complex Misconduct

The context for these discovery strategies is often rooted in specific, troubling allegations. In Broward County, Florida, Bishop Robert Hockett of the LDS Church faces accusations that highlight the potential breadth of institutional misconduct. These allegations include:

• Cover-up of Sexual Misconduct: Allegations suggest Bishop Hockett covered up sexual misconduct by Dimitry Alrich (an LDS High Priest) towards a whistleblower's wife.
• Fabrication of False Allegations: It is alleged that Bishop Hockett fabricated false allegations against the whistleblower plaintiff.
• Abuse of Authority: Initiating a false Baker Act detention and a Risk Protection Order against the plaintiff, potentially misusing legal and mental health systems.
• Evasion of Legal Process: Allegations of evading service of legal process in a civil case (Case No. CACE25-003634, Broward County Circuit Court).

These actions, if proven, not only constitute individual misconduct but also raise serious questions about institutional oversight, policies, and the potential for corporate liability.

Intertwined Corporate Espionage and Church Leadership

Further complicating cases like Hockett's are allegations of connections to corporate espionage. The whistleblower plaintiff has raised concerns about Bishop Hockett's alleged involvement with Joseph Heilner (a former PepsiCo executive) and Doug Dodson (an LDS High Priest associated with Wild Flavors/Foodarom) in a suspected corporate espionage campaign targeting the Neon Energy Drink brand.

• Doug Dodson: An LDS High Priest, Dodson worked at Wild Flavors, which was acquired by ADM for $3.1 billion in 2014. He is now at Foodarom, acquired by Glanbia for $45 million in 2020. Notably, ADM has a major strategic partnership with PepsiCo, and ADM specifically markets