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New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Who is Robert Shinn, ‘TikTok cult' leader whose home was raided in federal sex-trafficking probe?
Investigators from at least four federal agencies raided a California home Friday linked to mysterious 'TikTok' cult Pastor Robert Shinn, the founder of a so-called talent agency that allegedly exploited amateur dancers with promises of TikTok stardom. A handful of people were led away from the home — located in Los Angeles' Tujunga neighborhood — in handcuffs, after FBI, IRS, US Postal Service and Labor Department agents swooped in on the residence. However, it was unclear if Shinn, 87, who has been likened to a cult leader, was among them. Advertisement So, who exactly is Shinn? In 1994, he founded the Shekinah Church, a Christian congregation recently profiled in Netflix's documentary series 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult' that initially served as a house of worship for Korean Americans in LA. Shinn also owns 7M Films and is associated with several other California businesses, including Shinn Entertainment Corp., IP Random Film, IHD Studio and Glory Bag Records. Advertisement 3 Pastor Robert Shinn has multiple companies and may be worth $15 million. KTLA 5 He shares ownership of the home that was raided Friday with multiple people. A self-proclaimed 'man of God,' Shinn is alleged to have lured dancers to sign with his talent agency, 7M Films. He allegedly assured them he could turn them into TikTok sensations. Instead, Shinn allegedly financially and physically manipulated and abused the dancers, encouraging some of them to disown their families. Advertisement Other dancers have accused Shinn of sexual assault. The church allegedly encouraged members to surrender their time and money in support of its mission to save one billion souls from damnation. 3 It was unclear if Shinn was arrested during Friday's raid. KTLA 5 The warrants served at the house Friday involved allegations of sex trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion and COVID-19-related fraud, according to the Los Angeles Times. Advertisement Still others were forced to join the Shekinah Church and later served as recruiters for 7M. Shinn, who is married to Hannah Shinn, has previously denied claims that the Shenikah Church and 7M are affiliated, TV Insider reported. The Canadian-born Shinn is estimated to be worth $15 million. One of his children, singer-songwriter Kloë Shinn, defected from the church in 2022 with her husband Daniel Joseph, according to Cosmo, which added that he also has two sons, Conrad and Isaiah. Her music has appeared on reality shows like 'Queer Eye' and 'The Real Housewives' as well as the movie 'Random Encounters,' a 2013 film starring Meghan Markle — that was produced by her father. 3 Women have accused Shinn of physical and sexual assault. KTLA 5 Several former dancers and ex-members of the Shekinah Church teamed up to sue Shinn in 2022. The lawsuit alleges exploitation and labor law violations by the church and Shinn, and remains active. In 2009, a woman named Lydia Chung sued Shinn, alleging he'd forced her to turn over $3.8 million in assets through 'undue influence, mind control, coercive persuasion, oppression and other intimidating tactics,' according to the lawsuit. Advertisement She also said the church made her work six days a week, but never paid her. A judge ultimately ruled against her. In 2011, Jung Hee Lee, a former Shekinah member, sued Shinn for allegedly forcing her to work full-time for only a $30 weekly stipend. She won that case, and Shinn was ordered to pay her the compensation she should've received. Shinn himself filed a defamation lawsuit against several former church members after they referred to the organization as a cult, according to CNN.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Netflix's ‘cult' pastor Robert Shinn's home raided in sex-trafficking probe: Who is the viral TikTok preacher?
Federal agents raided a California house on July 27 as part of an investigation into sex trafficking allegations and other serious criminal activities. Robert Shinn, the man behind Netflix's controversial docuseries Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, is at the centre of the probe. The property in question, located in Tujunga, is partially owned by the preacher. According to the report by the Los Angeles Times, several people working at the property were detained by police on Friday. Also read: Dancing for the Devil – The 7M TikTok Cult review: A creepy pastor brainwashes social media influencers in Netflix's aggravating shock-doc According to the report, agents from the FBI, IRS, US Postal Service, and Department of Labor served warrants on multiple counts to the staff during the early morning of Friday, July 25. These included charges of 'sex trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion, and COVID-19-related fraud,' according to the outlet. In footage from KTLA, at least six individuals were seen being handled by police in handcuffs, and one woman was holding a child. It is yet to be revealed who exactly is part of the investigation. For those who can recall, this is the same house shown in the Netflix docuseries that aired earlier this year and raked in millions of views, going viral for its claims accusing Shinn of running a 'cult' disguised as a talent management firm and religious group. While more details on the incident are yet to be reported, one witness, according to the outlet, heard a flash-bang grenade go off around 6 a.m. Also read: Astronomer's massive paycheck for Gwyneth Paltrow revealed: How much did the company pay Coldplay frontman's ex-wife for crisis playbook deal? Robert Shinn, a self-proclaimed pastor who founded Shekinah Church in 1994. This is the same person who also created 7M Films in 2021, a management company for TikTok dancers. According to the documentary, many dancers were recruited through the firm but were later forced into the Shekinah Church and pressured to cut off contact with their families. Those who were once associated with 7M were featured in the documentary and accused Shinn of manipulation, spiritual abuse to financial exploitation and even sexual assault. According to dancer, Aubrey Fisher, the pastor forced him to give up to 70% of his income to the church, including what he described as 'man of God' fee. Another, Melanie Goldman, said she once witnessed several girls 'screaming at the top of their lungs' inside the church. There is yet another story of a dancer who went viral in 2022 with an emotional Instagram video. Melanie Wilking was heard crying and pleading to her sister Miranda, who she said was 'no longer in control' of her life. The sisters had grown popular on TikTok before Miranda joined 7M and stopped speaking to each other when Melanie left the group. However, they have since reconciled. Despite the backlash and scrutiny, Shinn has denied all claims of abuse or wrongdoing. According to him, both the church and 7M are different entities. Back in 2022, he even filed a defamation lawsuit against several former members who publicly referred to his organisation as a cult. In the Netflix documentary, Shinn's legal team stated that no criminal charges have been filed against him. However, now, the federal raid suggests law enforcement is looking into the allegations more seriously. As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and federal officials say they are continuing to collect information. No charges have been filed yet
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
LA home linked to ‘TikTok cult' pastor seen in Netflix docuseries raided in sex-trafficking probe
Federal agents descended upon a California home connected to the 'TikTok Cult' pastor who was the subject of a recent Netflix documentary series Friday — as part of an investigation into sex trafficking and other criminal claims. Several people were detained after a Tujunga home partially owned by Pastor Robert Shinn was raided by agents from the FBI, IRS, US Postal Service and Department of Labor, the Los Angeles Times reported. Officials served warrants related to allegations of sex trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion and COVID-19-related fraud, according to the outlet. Advertisement 3 Federal agents raided a home home partially owned by Pastor Robert Shinn. KTLA 5 The identities of those detained were not immediately clear. At least six handcuffed people and one woman holding a child were seen in KTLA chopper footage of the raid of the residence, which featured in the Netflix docuseries 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult,' the station reported. Advertisement One witness reported hearing flash-bang grenades go off at the start of the 6 a.m. law enforcement operation, according to the LA Times. Self-proclaimed 'man of God' Shinn, who founded Shekinah Church in 1994, helped create 7M Films in 2021, and the LA-based talent management company allegedly lured dancers with promises of turning them into TikTok stars. Some of those dancers were also conscripted into the Shekinah Church and acted as recruiters for 7M, which they claim is inseparable from the religious organization. Former members of Shekinah Church who also worked for 7M films alleged Shinn abused and manipulated them, with some even accusing the guru of sexual assault. Advertisement 3 A source claimed the property involved in this search warrant was the same home that was at the center of the series, KTLA reported. KTLA 5 3 Several people were detained during the raid. KTLA 5 Melanie Goldman, a former dancer and parishioner, claimed in the documentary that she saw 'half a dozen girls' run into the church 'screaming at the top of their lungs,' TV Insider reported. Other former dancers also claimed that there is no distinction between 7M and the church, with Shinn instructing members in fiery sermons shown in the doc to 'die to' their families, or no longer have contact with them. Advertisement Dancer Aubrey Fisher, a former 7M and Shekinah member, claimed Shinn forced him to give as much as 70% of his income to the twisted church — including a 10% 'man of God fee' for himself, according to the outlet. Former member Melanie Wilking went viral with a 2022 Instagram plea to try and reach her sister Miranda, who was 'no longer in control' of her life. The siblings had a popular joint TikTok page when they joined 7M and had a falling out when Melanie left over concerns about Shinn's control over members, according to People, but have since reconciled. Shinn has previously denied claims that the Shenikah Church and 7M are affiliated, TV Insider reported. In 2022, he filed a defamation lawsuit against several former church members after they referred to the organization as a cult, CNN reported last year.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Mobileye raises annual revenue view on strong self-driving chip demand
Self-driving technology firm Mobileye Global raised its forecast for fiscal 2025 revenue on Thursday, anticipating a rise in orders for its autonomous driving chips as customers clear existing inventory. Shares of the company rose over 4 per cent in premarket trading. Automakers have largely resumed placing orders for self-driving hardware after an inventory surplus - caused by COVID-19-related supply concerns some years ago - led to a prolonged slump in demand. "Stronger visibility on industry supply-demand alignment since late-April supports our decision to raise the full-year outlook, while we continue to maintain a conservative stance given the broader macro environment," said Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua. He adds that Mobileye will see an inflection point in 2027, as upcoming driver assistance products are expected to give a boost to revenue growth. U.S. government tariff announcements on vehicles and parts earlier this year shook the automotive industry , leading automakers, including some Mobileye customers - such as Porsche and Audi - to adjust supply chains and mitigate business impacts. In April, Mobileye had said that it would be relatively insulated from the tariffs, since its customers are the importers of its driver-assistance chips. "While tariffs remain in place, the actual impact on production and consumer demand appears rather limited," Mobileye executives said on a post-earnings conference. Company executives also said there are no indications from customers that fourth-quarter shipment volumes will weaken, easing concerns about a potential slowdown in demand for vehicles equipped with Mobileye technology despite the threat of higher manufacturing costs due to auto tariffs. Mobileye now expects annual revenue between $1.77 billion and $1.89 billion, compared with its previous forecast of $1.69 billion to $1.81 billion. The company reported revenue of $506 million in the second quarter, beating estimates of $480.9 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Not making the grades
University of Manitoba instructors are warning there's a high level of unpreparedness among first-year students despite more of them entering with grade averages of 95 per cent or higher. A new report shows 40 per cent of local high school students who met U of M standard admission requirements in the fall had report card scores that scored perfection or within five points of it. These high achievers have represented the largest group of applicants annually since 2020. Two in five successful applicants were part of this group last year. Forty per cent of local high school students who met U of M standard admission requirements in the fall had high-school grades averaging 95 per cent or higher. Forty per cent of local high school students who met U of M standard admission requirements in the fall had high-school grades averaging 95 per cent or higher. Statistician Jenna Tichon said the dramatic shift took her by surprise as she was scanning historical entrance data put out by her university's office of institutional analysis. The percentage of Manitoba high school students achieving 95 per cent and up more than doubled from 2014 to 2024. It was the third most common entrance average group a decade ago. In 2020, following COVID-19-related disruptions and exam cancellations, it overtook the 90 to 94 per cent range as the largest group of its kind. 'Ninety-five per cent should be a really exceptional average,' said Tichon, who both teaches statistics at the university and serves as an executive on its faculty association. The union vice-president said she and her colleagues, who represent about 1,170 academic staff, are closely monitoring this trend to see if it persists. Entrance averages matter because they are used to stream students and, in an ideal scenario, indicate preparedness for post-secondary education, she noted. Faculty members have flagged concerns about grade inflation — the steady creep of average marks that does not reflect a corresponding increase in academic knowledge or skills — in recent years. Among them, senior mathematics instructor Darja Barr and Natalie Riediger, an associate professor who researches nutrition and health equity. Riediger said the level of her students' academic preparedness has dropped significantly since she started teaching at U of M in 2016. 'In the last few years, I've given out a lot more Cs, Ds and Fs,' the associate professor said. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Entitlement and parent pressure also influence final report cards, said John Wiens, a dean emeritus at Manitoba's largest faculty of education. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The fallout has affected workloads, given the time associated with putting someone on academic probation, accommodating exam deferrals and policing related misconduct, she said. Barr obtained her PhD in education in 2019 for exposing the unreliable nature of high school pre-calculus marks in predicting a Manitoba student's success in university calculus. She analyzed U of M datasets from 2001 to 2015 — a project sparked by her curiosity as to why so many students were in disbelief over failing her midterm when they had done well in high school. Her thesis concluded 'the disconnect' between secondary and post-secondary marks had grown over time, and better communication between the kindergarten-to-Grade 12 and university sectors was necessary to fix it. 'The trend suggested it was going to get worse and worse,' Barr recalled. She said that since then, she has been advocating for university instructors outside faculties of education to have more input on provincial curriculum and assessment development. 'I don't think teachers are knowingly inflating grades,' Barr said. 'I just think that the policies, the assessment strategies, the content in K to 12, it's like I'm watching what's trendy in clothing.' There was once a drive to cover the entirety of every curriculum, but high schools have shifted to prioritize compassion and student well-being in the wake of the pandemic, said John Wiens, a dean emeritus at Manitoba's largest faculty of education. 'The major change is that we are paying more attention to kids' mental health,' Wiens said, reflecting on the last decade and possible explanations for rising marks. Entitlement — 'if a student doesn't like their mark, they'll appeal it to the end of the earth' — and parent pressure also influence final report cards, the career educator said. As far as he is concerned, a high school teacher's personal observations about a student are more accurate than marks when it comes to predicting success in post-secondary education. 'We put too little stock in non-numerical judgments,' Wiens said. The Manitoba Association for Progressive Assessment was established at the start of the year to connect teachers interested in forms of 'ungrading,' such as 'outcomes-based assessment,' which involves doing away with high-stakes tests and regularly evaluating students against specific and clearly-defined learning goals. Asked about curriculum and assessment development processes, a spokesperson for Education Minister Tracy Schmidt said her office works closely with schools, school divisions and post-secondary institutions. 'The department regularly consults with post-secondary faculty, academic and subject matter experts to ensure students have the skills and knowledge they need to meet challenges throughout their academic career,' they wrote in a statement. No representative from the U of M's office of institutional analysis was available for comment Thursday. Its latest report on entrance grades includes a disclosure about the COVID-19 pandemic's toll on the university in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 'Comparisons involving COVID-affected years should be made with caution,' it states. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. 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