Reuben Radding,

 Ipsissimus Aquino has provided me with some important information
 the echo should know about and perhaps you can comment upon.

 Evidently the Church of Satan, per court records, was actually a
 business since 1964. That point is debatable but I suppose that we
 can safely say that since Howard Levey (a.k.a. Anton LaVey, son of
 Michael J. Levey and Gertrude A. Levey of San Francisco) took
 direct control of the church business on or about 4/16/86, took
 large monies from the partnership proceeds not his own, and since
 that date the CoS has been the BoS and should not retain or utilize
 any church or church-like qualifications, including the title
 "Reverend".

 Four individuals pricked and deflated the balloon of "LaVey Legend".
 These people are Edward Webber, who revealed the truth behind the
 LaVey fictions (and was featured in an issue of the SCROLL OF SET,
 Anton LaVey's daughter Zeena, who exposed the fiction of THE SECRET
 LIFE OF A SATANIST, and the internal operations of the post-X "CoS",
 now known as the Business of Satan, also featured in an issue of
 the SCROLL, Texas journalist Lawrence Wright, who exposed a series
 of LaVey myths in the 9/5/1991 issue of ROLLING STONE, and last but
 not least Diane Hegarty, excommon-law wife of Howard Levey.

 Per court records, sworn under penalty of perjury, Michael and
 Gertrude Levey deeded to Howard and Diane (jointly) the house at
 6114 California Street. Apparently in 1984 Diane left the house in
 fear for her life and in 1988 filed suite against Howard Levey
 alleging that Howard had a history of violent and abusive behavior
 and by violent threat wrenched Diane's rightful partnership portion
 from her. Diane sought and obtained in 1984, 1985, and 1986,
 restraining orders against Howard. In spite of these orders
 defendant Levey continued to threaten with violence plaintiff Diane
 Hegarty.

 In Howard's 6/1/89 answer to Diane's allegations he denies most of
 Diane's accusations and filed a counter suite alleging that Diane
 Hegarty defrauded him after signing the 1984 agreement (to partition
 the 6114 California Street house and identify jointly-owned personal
 articles at that address) by never intending to reside at 6114
 California Street.

 Blanche Barton bursts upon the stage on 6/6/90 by sending a somewhat
 indignant letter to Diane's attorney complaining about the affects
 of the case upon Howard's health. (It seems that whenever Howard
 doesn't want to face the music he gets sick.)

 I'll paraphrase what Blanche Barton wrote in this letter to Diane's
 attorney...

 (1) At that time Karla LaVey and Blanche Barton have devised a plan
 wherewith Diane Hegarty can receive the funds Diane *feels* she is
 owed. (A settlement offer to be sure, but also an admission that
 something is owed Diane.) Via this process Howard will get the  
 respite he needs to heal his overtaxed body. Blanche covers for
 Howard's habit of getting sick when it suites him. (I've heard that
 smart women fall for stupid men. Could this be a similar case?)

 (2) Karla and Blanche propose to establish a non-profit corporation
 (evidently one did NOT exist previous to this date) for the express
 purpose of SOLICITING funds from the *membership* of the BoS to pay
 off Diane Hegarty. They propose to spread the word via the BoS's
 internal newsletter giving the names, business phones and addresses
 of those who have filed against Howard in order for the membership
 to check on the gravity of the claims.  Blanche warns that zealous
 members might get violent after they understand the severity of the
 legal allegations. Blanche stipulates that the BoS had never before
 solicited from anyone, but present circumstances made that
 necessary now.

 (3) Blanche stipulates her devotion to the BoS and Howard Levey for
 some 14 years. Blanche deplores Diane's six-year long series of
 "heartless attacks" on the now-weakening Howard and now offers to
 "donate" half the earnings (from her soon-to-be-published book) to
 Diane if only she will let Howard have the Black House and it's
 contents--even though Blanche considers Diane's actions no less
 than extortion. Blanche claims she is representative of thousands
 around the world. Something violent may occur.

 In August 1991, Superior Court Judge Ollie-Marie Victoire found for
 Diane Hegarty by *default*. Apparently Howard had expressed to
 Zeena and her mother some degree of contempt for the court system
 and that sooner or later "the idiots" would tire of their little
 game. Howard had refused to participate in reasonable discovery.
 Victoire points out that Blanche Barton's letter threatens violent
 action against Diane by blind zealots--members of the BoS. Per Dr.
 Aquino's information Victoire concludes:

     This court specifically finds that the defendant's conduct has
     been calculated and designed to prevent plaintiff from
     obtaining her rights to the jointly-owned real and personal
     property. He has disobeyed a court order and has suffered the
     consequences. He now seeks relief from the very court for which
     he has shown contempt in the past. The August 5, 1991 judgement
     has caused him to change his mind about the court system, but
     it does not appear that the law requires this court to help him
     at his late awakening.

 The court awarded Diane $536,500. Diane originally asked for
 $300,000. Howard was given till 12/28/91 to fork over the cold cash
 or sell the house and pay her from the proceeds.

 On 10/18/91 Howard filed for bankruptcy which froze Victoire's order
 and allowed Blanche and Howard to live in the house past the
 deadline. On 12/29/92 Diane filed a motion with the bankruptcy court  
 alleging that "this bankruptcy was filed in bad faith for the sole
 purpose of thwarting the state court orders and/or judgements in
 the state court case.

 Sometime this month (Feb, 1992) the bankruptcy court will hear this
 case. Awaiting him is Diane's motion to dismiss his bankruptcy and
 to proceed with collection of awarded monies.

 Of special interest to Setians and this discussion is another of
 Victoire's ruling:

     A receiver will be appointed by the court, at defendant's
     expense, to prepare an accounting and inventory of all
     PARTNERSHIP assets, and upon completion of such an accounting a
     DISSOLUTION of the partnership will occur and all partnership
     assets will be split 50-50 between the parties.

 According to Ipsissimus Aquino, that partnership is interpreted as
 the Church of Satan, now known for the purposes of this article as
 the Business of Satan or more correctly as The Business Partnership
 of Anton LaVey and Diane Hagerty Doing Business As The Church of
 Satan.

 Conspicuous is the absence of any religious language in the court
 papers. There is no denial of the indirect claim the CoS is
 actually the BoS.

 Comments?

 I seem to remember your comment to Diane indicating something like
 "go get `em Diane." Would you like to comment upon the immediate
 future of the BoS and Blanche's indirect claim that you are being
 solicited for monies to pay off Diane Hegarty?