This claim is devoid of facts. Furthermore, to the extent Plaintiffs can bring claims for "conversion" of their intellectual property, name, and likeness, these allegations are captured by the trademark and unfair competition claims. Signed by Greener, John G. Jones, D.F. Larry D. Spires, 33 (IL) 2016 -, 2018 by The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA. A subscription to PACER is required. United States District Judge March 28, 2017Alexandria, Virginia, United Supreme Council v. United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33 Degree of Freemasonry, Civil No. The SlideShare family just got bigger. Other members of the Supreme Council are called "Sovereign Grand Inspectors General" (S.G.I.G. The final result was amazing, and I highly recommend www.HelpWriting.net to anyone in the same mindset as me. In this regard, bald legal assertions without factual support need not be accepted. . United States: Standard Shipping from Canada: Estimated between Mon, Mar 6 and Mon, Mar 13 to 23917 Today, Nevada, is in the Southern Jurisdiction and Arizona and New Mexico are States; Europe, England, Korea, Japan and the Middle East are also a part of the Southern Jurisdiction. Alaska shall belong to the Northern also. 45 (citing Plaintiffs' Constitution, Art. Economopoulos v. Kolaitis, 259 Va. 806, 814 (2000). The motion is GRANTED with respect to the claims for fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and conversion. OF illinois. June 27, 1847, Boston, MA. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1932 ORIGINAL VINTAGE MAP OF SOUTHERN BAVARIA BAYERN MUNICH / GERMANY at the best online prices at eBay! Id. Neither of these claims can survive the motion to dismiss. . 49-1). Plaintiffs United Supreme Council, 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States ("USC-SJ Tennessee" or "USC-SJ I") and its Washington DC-based predecessor (USC-SJ Predecessor) have brought suit against Defendants United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33 Degree of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliated (USC-SJ II), Ralph Slaughter, Joseph Williams, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia, Free and Accepted Masons, Incorporated ("Grand Lodge"), Roger Brown, and Michael Parris. For example, shortly after the coup, Defendant Parris (who was then Plaintiffs' Deputy of the Orient of Virginia) "defected to and joined Defendants" in their new order. 4.The policy is as follows: The Supreme Council of the 33 for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States shall only recognize other Supreme Councils whose members be-long to regular Grand Lodges. Plaintiffs allege that this name "is the same if not substantially and significantly similar, to the name of Plaintiff [USC-SJ I]." Even assuming this is a material and demonstrably false representation, there is no plausible argument that Plaintiffs relied on this statement. An introduction to Clandestine Freemasonry Click here to review the details. These meetings culminated in Parris formally appearing before the officers of the Grand Lodge in Roanoake on November 21, 2015. Scottish Rite (Masonic order). The company's filing status is listed as Terminated - Ftb Admin . Its first member was John G. Jones, who was a Lt. Sovereign Grand Commander of the United Supreme Council's Southern and Western Jurisdiction. Statement of Unity Signing Brightens a September Day. 22A." These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia. ), and each is the head of the Rite in his respective Orient (or state). Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. United Supreme Council, PHA, Northern Jurisdiction 33 of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine North and South America and its Jurisdictions Incorporated United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) The Home of Freemasonry This Court does not sit to enforce the Freemasons' Constitution as though it were law, and Plaintiffs cannot point to anything besides their Constitution which would suggest they had a legal right to invade the accounts of their subordinate bodies. The United Supreme Council for the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America was formed on Jan. 27, 1887 Truth: This was the founding date of the Southern Jurisdiction. United Supreme Council, 33 Deg v. United Supreme Council, ROGER C. BROWN, Individually and as Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia Free and Accepted Masons, Incorporated and MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF VIRGINIA FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, INCORPORATED, RALPH SLAUGHTER, UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE FOR THE 33 DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY, PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED, a District of Columbia Non-Profit Corporation, MICHAEL A. PARRIS and JOSEPH A. WILLIAMS, UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL, 33 DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY, PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION, SOUTHERN JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, a Tennessee Non-Profit Corporation and UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL 33 (THIRTY-THREE) OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY (PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION) SOUTHERN JURISDICTION U.S., GRAND ORIENT AT WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, a District of Columbia Non-Profit Corporation; T. of the World, v. Eureka Lodge No. . James A. UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL, 33 DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY, PRINCE HALL AFFILIATION, SOUTHERN JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, et al., Plaintiffs, v. UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE FOR THE 33 DEGREE OF FREEMASONRY, SOUTHERN JURISDICTION, PRINCE HALL AFFILIATED, et al., Defendants. Affiliated with The United Supreme Council (U.S.C.) 43). Plaintiffs further allege that the name was chosen "for the sole and exclusive purpose of trading upon, usurping, fiscally capitalizing upon and converting the goodwill, historicity, character and reputation of Plaintiffs.". George Longe papers, 225. The records and rituals of the Supreme Council, 33, Southern Jurisdiction were lost in a fire that destroyed their headquarters in 1819. . & A.M.) General Grand Masonic Congresses with their own Jurisdictions. Southern & Western Jurisdiction Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (A.A.S.R.) An appropriate order shall issue. No. Upon consideration of the parties' briefing, and for good cause shown, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have failed to state a claim for relief with regard to Count III (Fraud), Count IV (Conspiracy to Commit Fraud), and Counts VII and VIII (Conversion of Bank Accounts and Personalty). At that meeting, Defendants Slaughter and Williams, along with non-party Alvin Wilkins, Sr., attempted to gain control of USC-SJ Tennessee by voting to replace the existing "Sovereign Grand Commander Deary Vaughn." On hand to affix their names and seals to the document on September 7, 2022, were Sovereign Grand Commanders of the four mutually recognized Scottish Rite Jurisdictions in the U.S.A. "18-2034 - United Supreme Council, 33 Deg v. United Supreme Council". Id. All About Us Who's ready to join? A presentation on the history of clandestine freemasonry within the african american traditions of freemasonry. Ill. Edward M. Thomas petitioned the King David Council, since he was residing in the District of Columbia, for the 33rd degree to be conferred on representative Masons in D.C., and on May 5, 1856, the conferment was made and a council was established. Va. Mar. They assert that the subordinate bodies were "commissioned and chartered by, and under the exclusive jurisdiction, dominion, and control of, Plaintiffs . The organization was founded in 1907 by then Lt. Grand Commander and Ill. Deputy of the District of Columbia The first three degrees are: "'Entered Apprentice,' or the 'First Degree'; 'Fellow Craft' or 'Second Degree'; and 'Master Mason,' or 'Third Degree' of masonry." Second, after establishing the new organization, Defendants began meeting to discuss the "implementation of Defendant's takeover of Plaintiffs' Virginia operations." For additional information, see the Global Shipping Program, This amount includes applicable customs duties, taxes, brokerage and other fees. Supreme Council for the Southern and Western Jurisdiction (SC-SWJ) 4. United Supreme Council, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction. Compl. This docket was last retrieved on October 17, 2019. The General Grand Masonic Congress and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the United Supreme Council Southern Western Jurisdiction and Canada were in Little Rock, AK. State Farm Mut. Prepared for the Supreme council of the thirty-third degree, for the Southern jurisdiction of the United States, and published by its authority by Albert Pike ( Book ) 118 editions published between 1871 and 2020 in English and held by 1,016 WorldCat member libraries worldwide. Also in 1864, a separate Supreme Council was formed in New York, which was made up of members from the National Compact Grand Lodge, from which a Southern Jurisdiction split off with the Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. United Supreme Council - Southern Jurisdiction. Ste 201 Memphis, Tennessee 38186 Memphis, Tennessee 38116 Deary Vaughn, 33 Marvin D. Chambers, 33 Sovereign Grand Commander Grand Secretary General, H.E. The motion to dismiss will be DENIED with respect to the remaining claims. United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the United States. Third, Defendants induced members to switch allegiances. Thus, in order to state a claim for conversion, plaintiffs must show that they were "entitled to the immediate possession of the item alleged to have been wrongfully converted." in accordance with the USC-SJ Constitution." Nor is there an instance of Defendants stealing a practice or ritual (or a description of any practice or ritual), and it is unlikely that these concepts could be classified as personal property in any case. (Andrew) McClain 33. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in UNITY! From 1939 to 1971, Longe served as Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Louisiana. Category: Scottish Rite Collection. In Virginia, fraud requires: (1) a false representation, (2) of a material fact, (3) made intentionally and knowingly, (4) with intent to mislead, (5) reliance by the party misled, and (6) resulting damage to the party misled. 255 is a motion from the following Defendants: United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33 Degree of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliated; Ralph Slaughter; Joseph Williams; and Michael Parris. The Southern Jurisdiction for the United Supreme Council, PHA, consists of the states: AL, AR, FL, GA, KT, LA, MD, MS, Missouri, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, the territories of Arizona, New Mexico, the District of Columbia, and Alaska. The meeting was took place during an "official, ceremonial business meeting of Plaintiffs' subordinate body in Richmond, VA, known as Richmond Consistory No. . The defendants had been members of the United Supreme Council, 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of American, also known as USC-SJ I. In particular, on November 6, Parris met with Brown and non-party Larry D. Christian, who was "an influential former CEO/Grand Master of the Grand Lodge." TX0008-210-759, titled "Constitution & General Regulations of the United Supreme Council, 33 Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, PHA, SJ, USA, Inc." The effective date of registration for Plaintiffs' Constitution is November 16, 2015. Something went wrong. "The Mission of the United Supreme Council, 33, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affili-ation, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America is to. Earn up to 5x points when you use your eBay Mastercard. Ins. Many organizations have split and split with the split for a reason. Donate The General Grand Masonic Congress (G.G.M.C.) Enjoy access to millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from Scribd. This event was titled the "Ninety-First Annual Session, Virginia Council on Deliberation A.A.S.R. Instead, Plaintiffs try to draw the connection by affixing the label of "agent" on the signors on these accounts. The above divisions were made based on a boundary developed by a joint committee in Wilmington, Delaware on April 19, 1907 using the Mason-Dixon Line as an official boundary. At this meeting, Parris requested fraternal recognition for USC-SJ II. As a result of the conference of the Sovereign Grand Commanders of the two Supreme Councils, Northern and Southern Jurisdictions A.A.S.R., P.H.A., on August 2, 1966, were established at the Cathedral, Fitzwater & Mole St. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Independent Elks II, 114 F.2d at 47. A 33 certificate issued by the United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdictions of the United States to Richard Theodore Greener, and dated September 8, 1896. 141. Plaintiffs' bare assertions of "authority" and "exclusive jurisdiction" under their Constitution are simply without legal support. Deputy of the Year for the United Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction for the years 2010 and 2012 Award for Dedication and Commitment to W.C. Thomas Lodge 1997 Golden Link Volunteer Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Community Service by Atlanta Journal Newspaper 1997 The district court granted the motion with respect to the fraud claim, finding that the plaintiffs had failed, Full title:UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL, 33 DEGREE OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH, Court:UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA Alexandria Division. In 1871 a fifth was established in Philadelphia, and was named King Fredrick Supreme Council. Under this compact, the existing territories were divided between the two Supreme Councils, with any open territories declared "open territory" that was subject to invasion by any Prince Hall Affiliated Masonic Jurisdiction of the symbolic or first three degrees. Councils formed the Supreme Council for the "Southern Jurisdiction," which included Virginia. Am. The Order of the Golden Circle is the women's auxiliary of the United Supreme Council, 33, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Inc. The meeting was "conducted under Plaintiffs' Constitution and utilize[ed] Plaintiffs' Trademarks and other assets." The organization is subdivided into Orients and Valleys. Plaintiffs' knowledge that Defendants' claims of authority were false belies any reliance on those statements and dooms their fraud claims. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The General Grand Masonic Congress and the. Bonds v. Leavitt, 629 F.3d 369, 385 (4th Cir. for the fourth circuit . Government. In this letter, Parris stated that an "overwhelming majority" of Plaintiffs' members voted to join Defendant USC-SJ II. "Every thing that gliders ant gold" We must be able to see a wolf in sheeps clothing. United Supreme Council, 33 Degree v. United Supreme Council. Original council didn't prove fraud. No. In 1880, there were five Supreme Councils of the Prince Hall Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons in existence. 48 in stock. Free access to premium services like Tuneln, Mubi and more. In 1881, the Councils convened and adopted a plan by which they merged into two jurisdictions; the New York and Philadelphia councils merged into the Supreme Council for the "Northern Jurisdiction" and the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The organization was founded in 1907 by then Lt. Grand Commander and Ill. Deputy of the District The First Amended Complaint was filed on January 3, 2017. Indeed, the Court may not rely on mere "labels and conclusions" or the Complaint's "formulaic recitation of the elements of a given cause of action. African American fraternal organizations. United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. 33. Darrell Brightmon 33rd of Texas, and other Illustrious Texas Delegate Masons. Free shipping for many products! The immediate predecessor in interest to USC-SJ Tennessee was the USC of the Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States (USC Predecessor), which was incorporated in 1920 under the laws of the District of Columbia. We've encountered a problem, please try again. Stillyard, 33 (WV) 1914 - 1916, ILL. Charles T. Hamilton, 33 (PA) 1921 - 1936, ILL. John H. Campbell33 (PA) 1936 - 1942, ILL. Dr. Malachi H. Johnson, 33 (OH) 1942 - 1949, ILL. Dr. Augustus P. Sutton, 33/96 (NY) 1978 - 1999, ILL. Kenneth M. Yates, 33 (FL)1999 - 2000 **, ILL. Dr. Ledell Veal, 33 (MS) 2000 - 2016, ILL. Rev./Dr. Oberg v. Pa. Higher Educ. | Memphis TN Authored by Bro Antoine Lilly, MPS. Subscribe to Justia's Free Newsletters featuring summaries of federal and state court opinions. G.G.M.C. Following these factual recitations, Plaintiffs' Amended Complaint alleges the following 10 counts against Defendants: (1) Unfair Competition; (2) Conspiracy to Commit Unfair Competition; (3) Fraud; (4) Conspiracy to Commit Fraud; (5) Tortious Interference with Contract; (6) Conspiracy to Commit Tortious Interference with Contract; (7) Conversion -Banking Accounts/Securities Held by Federally Chartered Financial Institution; (8) Conversion -Other Personalty; (9) Copyright Infringement; and (10) Trademark Infringement. 48) was filed by Defendants Roger Brown and the Grand Lodge ("Grand Lodge Defendants"). $ 35.00. 18-2034. united supreme council, 33 degree of the ancient and accepted scottish rite of freemasonry, prince hall affiliation, southern jurisdiction of the united states of america, a tennessee nonprofit corporation; united - supreme council 33 (thirtythree) of the ancient and - Despite this language, however, the Independent Elks cases did not address the legal issue of fraud. By meetings like this, Defendants were able to misappropriate Plaintiffs' "funds, revenue, name, numbers, assets, rituals, and other personalty without Plaintiffs' authorization or consent.". . The constitution for the Southern Jurisdiction were established in 1887 and revised in 1917 and 1955. The Motion is hereby GRANTED in all other respects. The United Supreme Council, AASRM, 33rd And Last Degree Of Freemasonry, For The Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, USA emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the masonic community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Bring your families! Ideally, I think you are right, that would be the correct thing to do. Grand Lodge Defs' Mem. at 555. The Supreme Council of the United States Western Jurisdiction was established in 1864 by Baron Auguste Hugo Debulow of the; . A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER . 86936462, filed on March 10, 2016, and titled "Order of the Golden Circles." 15. and the United Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction (P.H.A.). The United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction, 100th anniversary, Oct 25-28, 1986, Washington, D.C. by Scottish Rite (Masonic order). Finally, they own U.S. United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the United States., 33 certificate issued by the United Supreme Council to Richard Theodore Greener, 1896 September 8,, https://digitalvgw.omeka.net/items/show/512. There is also a trust factor. Sellers declare the item's customs value and must comply with customs declaration laws. (quoting Restatement (Second) of Agency 1)). ." Specifically, Plaintiffs are the owners of federal trademark application No. While the bank account conversion claim alleges some specific property (the bank accounts) that was taken, the "conversion of other personalty" claim does not identify a single tangible item. The first Scottish Rite organization among African-Americans was the African Grand Council of 1820 in Philadelphia, which was referred to as a Council of Princes of Jerusalem. . A Freemason splinter group that adopted a name similar to the council it left isnt liable for holding itself out as an extension of that council because no one was shown to have been defrauded, the Fourth Circuit said Oct. 30 in an unpublished ruling. It is a monumental building by the famous architect John Russell Pope, whose accomplishments include the National Archives, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Westbuilding . Am. Should any Active Member of a recognized Supreme Council be suspended, expelled, or if he should withdraw from or allow his regular Blue Lodge Dunlap v. Cottman Transmission Sys., LLC, 287 Va. 207, 216 (2014). 28, 2017). Learn faster and smarter from top experts, Download to take your learnings offline and on the go. Dkt. Hechler Chevrolet, Inc. v. Gen. Motors Corp., 230 Va. 396, 402 (1985). The excerpt they quote reads: "to adopt the name of the original order or to hold themselves out as a branch of that order . Therefore, upon consideration of the motions, and finding good cause to do so, the Court hereby DENIES the motions to dismiss as they concern these counts. The first alleged wrongful act came on the tails of an attempted coup that occurred on October 10, 2015 at an annual meeting of Plaintiff USC-SJ Tennessee. Handy, 33 1881 - 1889, ILL. Thornton A. Jackson, (DC) 33/96 1889 - 1895, ILL. Dr. B.H. Assistance Agency, 745 F.3d 131, 136 (4th Cir. Plaintiffs' first conversion claim focuses on the bank accounts of its subordinate bodies. United States: Standard Shipping from Canada: Estimated between Mon, Mar 6 and Mon, Mar 13 to 23917 Weve updated our privacy policy so that we are compliant with changing global privacy regulations and to provide you with insight into the limited ways in which we use your data. Also in 1864, a separate Supreme Council was formed in New York, which was made up of members from the National Compact Grand Lodge, from which a Southern Jurisdiction split off with the Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Thus, they do not allege that any of these bank accounts were in their name, but instead assert that, under their Constitution, USC-SJ "shall have custody of the property, real and personal, of a Subordinate Body . From the Philadelphia Council, a Southern and Western Jurisdiction defected with Headquarters at Washington, D.C. United Supreme Council, 33 Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Prince Hall Affiliation - Southern Jurisdiction P. O. 1940) ("Independent Elks II"). A Freemason splinter group that adopted a name similar to the council it left isn't liable for holding itself out as an extension of that council because no one was shown to have been defrauded, the Fourth Circuit said Oct. 30 in an unpublished ruling.