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Nonprofit As Corporate Machine
- Synanon built a massive tax-exempt corporate empire by running businesses under the guise of charity.
- The promotional product business alone made over $10 million a year and became the nation's second-largest firm in its niche.
Real Estate And Legal Intimidation
- Dederich used real estate purchases and legal threats to make Synanon untouchable by local governments.
- The group became the largest landowner in Santa Monica and avoided zoning enforcement for years.
Children Raised In 'The Hatchery'
- Charles Dederich removed children from parents to be reared communally in a Synanon school called the hatchery.
- Michael Gillette recalled not knowing parents or grandparents and many children suffered abuse and loneliness.