Portland, Oregon - An Oregon state court held yesterday that executives at the Golden Temple natural foods company unjustly enriched themselves at the expense of the Sikh religious community.
Judge Leslie Roberts of Multnomah County Circuit ruled Golden Temple CEO Kartar Sing Khalsa and other executives privately enriched themselves despite the company being held in trust for religious purposes. The plaintiffs, Sikh ministers, are now asking for $50 million in damages.
According to The Register-Guard's coverage of the case, plaintiff's attorney John McGrory of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP called Judge Robert's decision a "complete victory."
Briefs for monetary damages and other possible remedies are due to the court by Januray 1.
A lengthy trial took place this summer and a number of later motion hearings were covered by Courtroom View Network (CVN). Gavel-to-gavel video of the Golden Temple Proceedings are available at CVN.
The Sikh News Network, which reported on the trial via a CVN video feed, also provides in depth background on the case.
