Dominion of Melchizedek / The Republic of New Lemuria

Staying on topic with Krishna Venta and The Fountain of the World, Patty did a little research on the guy that lives at 585 Box Canyon Road today. His name is Richard James McDonald, formerly titled "Ambassador at Large Plenipotentiary, Minister Of DoM Permanent Court Of Arbitration, Governor of the Dominion of Melchizedek Bar Association and Minister Of Police." He also uses the titles "PhD" and "Esquire" presumably because the Dominion of Melchizedek claims international sovereignty and can set up any kind of rules they want. Imagined territories of the DoM are West Antarctica and several small islands or submerged reefs in the Pacific: Malpelo, Taongi, Solkope, Clipperton and Karitane. The DoM is also a quasi-religious organization, and has its own bible.

An article in the Washington Post reported that DoM was "diplomatically recognized" by the Central African Republic in 1993, but stated, "...you get the feeling that the Central African Republic would recognize the State of Denial if it had a letterhead." An article in the Quatloos online anti-fraud site noted that "Melchizedek has apparently obtained some sort of recognition from some smaller states ... all of which are notable for their corruption." Over 300 investors in various parts of the world have lost money in purported investment, fantasy passport and employment scams run by several "banks" licensed by the DoM. Apologists have suggested that there is no link between Melchizedek and the illegal activities conducted by "banks" it has "licensed."

In November of 1990, McDonald lost an appeal in a case against the US government as follows: "Richard J. McDonald appeals from the judgment of conviction entered by the district court on three counts of willfully failing to file federal tax returns in violation of 26 U.S.C. s 7203. McDonald seeks reversal on the grounds that (1) the district court lacked jurisdiction; (2) the indictment failed to adequately allege a criminal offense; (3) he is not a "person" subject to federal tax laws; and (4) Congress did not have the power to enact federal tax statutes because the Fourteenth Amendment was never properly ratified." Needless to say, he lost.

In April 2000, CBS's 60 Minutes II aired a report critical of the DoM. After CBS aired the program, DoM demanded a retraction of statements made during the program. As a result of the bad press, DoM filed a lawsuit (in their own judicial system), seeking damages for libel against CBS in the amount of $1 billion. DoM subsequently entered a default judgement against CBS, claiming that the company failed to respond to the lawsuit. Because of the lack of jurisdiction of the lawsuit, CBS has refused to acknowledge the judgement.

Most recently, McDonald has attempted to avoid the stigma of being associated with the DOM by renaming it "The Republic of New Lemuria." He also claims to have been "knighted" twice: first by "The Sovereign and Imperial Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen" and again by "Price Michael Romanov of Russia." In the real world, he was a law enforcement officer before becoming involved in securities fraud, tax evasion and teaching people how to get out of paying speeding fines.

What a freaking nut! Just goes to show that the residents of Box Canyon are as weird now as they ever were. If you care to make an appointment with Sir McDonald to discuss becoming a citizen of his imaginary country, he can be reached via the website at http://www.melchizedek.com/legations/na1.htm