SEVEN U.S. COURT JUDGES CONFIRM WESTERN DIOCESE’S LEADERS AS ‘LIARS’ AND MASTERS OF DECEPTION
Posted on July. 8. 2023
On June 28, 2023, California Appeals Court Judges J. Bendix, P. J. Rothschild, J. Chaney unanimously granted an appeals motion to award attorney fees to Plaintiffs Petros Taglyan and his family against Defendants Western Diocese/St. John Church’s Primate Arch. Hovnan Derderian and his spokesperson Archpriest Manoug and son Harout Markarian. Harout Markarian is the Executive Director of Western Diocese. Judges J. Bendix, P. J. Rothschild, J. Chaney joined four previous U.S. Court judges confirming Western Diocese’s leaders as ‘liars’ and masters of deception. (In 2019, in the Court, Judge Hammock had found Arch. Derderian’s representative Pastor Markarian as ‘a liar.’ Apparently Markarian was ‘authorized’ by Arch. Derderian and the Exec. Dir. of the Western Diocese, Pastor Markarian’s son, Harut Markarian to deny the written agreement with the church benefactor.)
After a series of legal battles that started in 2018 (Cases No. B321087, B321605 [Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. 21STCV38713]), the June 28 unanimous verdict highlighted the fact that the “defendants (Western Diocese’s Primate Hovnan Derderian, Priest Manoug and son Harout Markarian) knowingly concealed the existence of the written lease, is sufficient to make a prima facie showing that defendants brought the unlawful detainer action for a wrongful purpose, either to compel Petros (Dr. Taglyan) to pay additional monies to which they were not entitled, or to punish him for refusing to do so.”
The Court of Appeal of The State of California, Second Appellate District Judges also noted in their verdict that the benefactor “offered a declaration in which he described a 2018 incident in which Archpriest Manoug demanded Petros pay him ‘$30,000 per month for his personal expenses,’ with the archpriest ‘ranting ‘you owe me’ for making ‘you rich.’ The benefactor ‘further declared that later that year he received a letter on church letterhead from Archpriest Manoug, Harout Makarian, ‘and other members of the Diocesan and/or Church Parish Council, demanding that I pay for the new church construction since the Church and Diocese had no money.’” The benefactor “claimed to have objected to this request, asking the archpriest and Harout Markarian ‘why they were trying to extort me,’ after which ‘a member of the Diocese and Church personally came to my house to deliver a message that the Diocese and Church would lock me out of the banquet hall if I did not pay them $5 million.’”
In this latest case, the benefactor appealed from the dismissal of its malicious prosecution complaint against defendants and respondents the Western Diocese and prevailed. According to certain legal experts, this is a serious legal setback for Western Diocese and their legal team of highly paid lawyers led by embattled attorney Brian S. Kabateck, Esq. and his controversial Shant A. Karnikian, Esq.
In the case “Petros Taglyan V. Western Diocese/Hovnan Derderian, Manoug Markarian” the “defendants (Western Diocese) do not address the malice element in their appellate briefing. In their anti-SLAPP motion, their only response to Divine’s evidence was the conclusory statement that “Divine’s claim fails to prove the essential element of actual ‘malice’; an element that requires proof of each Defendant’s subjective hatred or actual animus.” The benefactor’s declaration makes a prima facie showing of animus on the part of Archpriest Manoug and Harout Markarian, and by extension the entities they represent, the Diocese and St. John.
The court documents also underlined the fact that the benefactor “thus has shown (his) cause of action for malicious prosecution has the minimal merit necessary to overcome defendants’ anti-SLAPP motion.”
The court documents also highlighted another critical fact according to which “Defendants (Western Diocese’s Archb. Derderian Archpriest Markarian and their attorneys Brian S. Kabateck, Esq. his associate Shant A. Karnikian, Esq. and others) offer no valid basis to strike the cause of action for conspiracy to commit malicious prosecution.”
Then in a clear legal verdict reversing the previous Trial Court’s verdict, The Court of Appeal of The State of California, Second Appellate District judges stated that their holding that the benefactor “adequately established the elements of malicious prosecution for anti-SLAPP purposes undercuts the trial court’s rationale.”
The Appeals Court Judges further clarified that the “Defendants (Western Diocese’s Archb. Derderian A
rchpriest Markarian and their attorneys Brian S. Kabateck, Esq. his associate Shant A. Karnikian, Esq. and others) offer no other valid basis to strike the cause of action for conspiracy. In their original anti-SLAPP filing, defendants did not address the cause of action for conspiracy at all. In their reply in support of the anti-SLAPP motion, they argued they were immune under the litigation privilege (Civ. Code, § 47, subd. (b)), an argument they repeat on appeal. As defendants (Western Diocese) conceded below, however, the litigation privilege is not a defense to claims of malicious prosecution. (RGC Gaslamp, LLC v. Ehmcke Sheet Metal Co., Inc. (2020) 56 Cal.App.5th 413, 435.)”
FROM PROTECTOR TO PREDATOR:
HOW WESTERN DIOCESE’S PRIMATE ARCH.
HOVNAN DERDERIAN, ARCHPRIEST MANOUG,
SON HAROUT MARKARIAN BECAME ‘PARASITES’ WITHIN THE ARMENIAN CHURCH?
BY APPO JABARIAN
As the reader may see in an April 2019 article titled “CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS RELATING TO WESTERN DIOCESE-TAGLYAN COMPLEX FROM 2003 TO 2019,” Western Diocese Arch. Hovnan Derderian, Archpriest Manoug and son Harout Markarian attempted to extort money from a major church benefactor. As a Western Diocese insider stated “Arch. Hovnan Derderian, Archpriest Manoug and son Harout Markarian had absolutely had no qualms about cannibalizing the faithful.”
Another member of the Armenian Church Reform underlined: “I am at loss of words about how Serpazan Hovnan Derderian transitioned from being a protector to a predator.”
A member of the SAVE WESTERN DIOCESE noted: “It’s amazing how Western Diocese’s Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Archpriest Manoug, son Harout Markarian became parasites within the Armenian Church.”
Let’s look at their trajectory:
1) April 2003: Pastor Manoug Markarian of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood appealed to Petros Taglyan for the purchase of the long-term lease on the adjacent land next to the Church. In good faith Mr. Taglyan purchases for $300,000 and donated it to the Church.
2) June 11, 2003: St. John Garabed Church Parish Council sends a thank you letter to Mr. Taglyan for the $300,000 donation.
3) May 2003-Sept. 2004: the Hovnan Derderian-Manoug Markarian duo fails at raising any funds to build hall and parking lot.
4) Sept. 16, 2004: Pastor Manoug Markarian sent an appeal letter in Armenian to Mr. Taglyan saying that the church was in bad financial shape and it was unable to meet the monthly lease payments. The letter was unanswered. (See page E5)
5) Sept. 28, 2004: Pastor Manoug Markarian sent a 2nd appeal letter also in Armenian to Mr. Taglyan this time proposing to him 1) to oversee the construction; 2) to take over the management of Taglyan Complex after completion of construction; 3) to secure the entire loan for the construction of the hall at the rate 7% annual interest and receive the funds back from the proceeds of Taglyan Complex without any time limitation until the entire loan is paid off. Mr. Taglyan declined to accept the offer saying he didn’t want to get involved in any catering business management and any business dealings with the church. (See page E5)
6) Nov. 6, 2004: Upon personal appeal by Arch. Derderian finally Mr. Taglyan’s attorney drafted a counter-agreement reiterating Pastor Manoug Markarian’s offer as outlined in the Sept. 28, 2004 letter. (See page E4)
7) Jan. 16, 2005: Arch. Derderian and Western Diocese presented in English a letter using Pastor Manouk Markarian’ s name as the signatory making a new offer and proposing Mr. Taglyan 1) to oversee the construction; 2) to take over the management of Taglyan Complex after completion of construction confirming “that the church will not have the right to intrude in any manner in the financial operations of these facilities;” 3) all of the expenses incurred will be reimbursed to you from the proceeds of the operation of the hall. You will receive an additional 7% interest annually until the complete reimbursement of the funds spent by you “receiving the funds back from the proceeds of Taglyan Complex without any time limitation until the entire loan is paid off. In addition to presenting this letter-offer, Arch Derderian and Pastor Manoug used their façade as pious spiritual servants they personally reached out to Mr. Taglyan vying to reach their goal. Back then Arch Derderian and Pastor Manoug projected the image of holy men. Both men were new arrivals in Western U.S. and were highly anxious to show some administrative success so that their popularity-ranking improved. Wherever they went, they used Mr. Taglyan’s good name and reputation.
8) From 2005 to 2009: Based on St. John Garabed parish council‘s approval of the Hovnan Derderian/Western Diocese new offer of January 16, 2005, Mr. Taglyan started construction by continuously borrowing millions of dollars from the bank.
9) 2009: After completion of construction, Mr. Taglyan tries to find a suitable catering company to operate the Taglyan Complex. After unsuccessful attempts and losing more money, Mr. Taglyan stepped in and formed his own catering company to operate Taglyan Complex thus saving the entire project from total bankruptcy.
10) 2015 through 2018: The Taglyan Complex thrived under Mr. Taglyan’s management becoming a highly famous catering and entertainment center ranking as #1 in the entire Los Angeles County. By making profit the project enticed the greed of The Derderian Triumvirate: Arch Derderian, Pastor Manouk Markarian, and Pastor’s son Harout Markarian.
11) May 2018: “The Derderian Triumvirate” attempted to boot out Mr. Taglyan They decided to remove Mr. Taglyan altogether in order to collect the income dismissing the pay down agreement of the loan while keeping the income for themselves.
(See complete article “CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS” on page E4)
MAY 31, 2023:
STATEMENT BY ARCH. HOVNAN DERDERIAN
ANNOUNCEMENT
BY WESTERN DIOCESE
It is with a disdained heart that we inform the faithful of the Armenian Church that three deacons namely Ara Dakessian, Dennis Dakessian and Hagop Demirjian, after multiple attempts and directives have willfully chosen to support an individual named Kevork Halladjian, who in an illegitimate and non-canonical manner, has received a “priestly” ordination by an individual named Ghazaros Kyureghian (Diran Kyureghian) who was defrocked decades ago.
Some time ago, Kevork Halladjian had applied to us to be ordained as a priest; however, for certain reasons, we did not give a positive decision and his candidacy for priesthood remained undecided. Contrary to our advise, Kevork decided to completely disregard our suggestions and applied with Sister Churches Coptic and Syriac to receive a priestly ordination. All of them rejected his application, foreshadowing the apparent danger that such an act would pose. In desperation, he defied the canons of the Church and received what he considers a “priestly” ordination by Ghazaros Kyureghian.
Consequently, Kevork Halladjian is an illegimate priest. He does not have the authority to conduct Holy Sacraments, be they Baptism, Holy Divine Liturgy (Badarak)/Communion, Matrimony. We regard his actions as without foundation and against the canons of the Church.
As of today, May 31, 2023, we hereby declare and pronounce Kevork Halladjian defrocked from the diaconate and forbid him to serve in any capacity as deacon in our churches whether spiritually and administratively. With this same notice, we forbid the participation as deacons of the above-mentioned, Ara Dakessian, Dennis Dakessian, and Hagop Demirjian because their actions demonstrate a schismatic stance and separation from the Armenian Apostolic Church.
We exhort the entire faithful to be faithful to the ancestral Christian Faith of our forefathers, holy and canonical integrity. The canons of the Church are above all else and we are obliged to distance ourselves from self-proclaimed ambitions.
We call upon our faithful to stay in touch with the Western Diocese under all circumstances to ensure the validity of priests who minister or serve within our diocese.
With love and blessings,
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
MAY 31, 2023:
Western Diocese Deacon Ara Dakessian’s Response to Arch. Derderian
Asdvadz oknagan Srpazan Hayr and good evening to all involved parties,
On Sunday, May 28, 2023, I participated in Fr. Kevork Halladjian’s “Antranig Badarak” at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Christ in Upland. Since then, you have contacted several of my family members, fellow deacons, and friends to communicate the message that you will strip my Diaconate title from me as a result of my participation in this badarak and continued support of the Upland community. A recommendation was made to me to submit an apology admitting a mistake had taken place and promising that I would never attend again. To be clear: this is not an apology.
Earlier this evening, on May 31, 2023, you decided to send a diocese-wide statement. You publicly shamed me, humiliated me and my fellow Deacons in Christ, Dn. Dennis Takessian, and Dn. Hagop Demirjian along with Fr. Kevork Halladjian, which quickly followed with distasteful comments from fellow congregants.
With your messages, you have disgraced and dishonored me, a 20-year Deacon of our church, for supporting Fr. Kevork Halladjian, whom you ordained as a Deacon alongside me in 2003. I have been a loyal and humble servant of God, an active participant of our church for over 40 years, since my childhood: first as an acolyte, and eventually as a Deacon. I have been loyal to God, to our Holy Church and to you as our Primate. I strive to attend my home church every Sunday and assist wherever a struggling congregation may need support. In addition to serving in Upland, I have also served in LaVerne, Whittier, Santa Barbara, Victorville, Albuquerque and not to mention many of our established and thriving parishes. Over the past many years, I have been a member of your AACCWD. I have served my home church as a Parish Council member, as Sunday School superintendent and teacher and I train altar servers and upcoming deacons. Believe me when I say I am not listing these credentials to boast rather, I want to communicate that, I help where help is needed, and the Upland congregation is in need of help. Allow me to humbly present to you a drastically contrasting suggestion to your current stance: send deacons from the diocese in support of Fr. Kevork Halladjian to spread God’s message in the Armenian Apostolic Church in Upland, CA; they need your support Srpazan Hayr, please do not wash your hands of this community as once Pontious Pilate did so during the trials and tribulations of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when he was faced amongst the crowds.
I will continue to serve our church with or without my stole upon my shoulder, in or out of any Armenian Apostolic church of my choosing. No one person will or can dictate to me what church to attend or which church I can serve. The Armenian Apostolic Church of Christ in Upland is a house of God just as any other church in the diocese.
I am surprised at your recent stance on Fr. Kevork Halladjian: it was not long ago that I remember you personally celebrated badarak at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Christ in Upland and supported its congregation telling them you “will ordain Deacon Kevork soon”. On numerous occasions, you have sent Diocesan clergy to celebrate Divine Liturgy at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Christ in Upland. By supporting Fr. Kevork Halladjian last Sunday, I merely followed in your footsteps. Recently, you have withdrawn your support of this congregation and Fr. Kevork Halladjian for reasons known only to you. Following my own recent support of this congregation, you have threatened to remove me from my Diaconate rank in order to satisfy your personal motives. Now you forbid my participation as deacon, essentially defrocking me from the Diaconate rank as well.
Fr. Kevork Halladjian has worked tirelessly to support the same mission as you have: none other than the mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Let this be clear and known to all that there is no schism as falsely claimed.
It has become apparent to me now that it is a simple task for you to forget the life-long good deeds, dedication and commitment of those who support and love the Armenian Church.
Srpazan Hayr, during difficult times when people attempted to disgrace your reputation, made allegations about fraud and discredited your name and carried large pictures of you outside many of our churches, Deacons such as myself defended your honor and name and the Armenian Apostolic Church. To take away the honor bestowed upon Deacons such as myself that defended you in the lowest times of our church, swiftly erasing my name from the Holy Ordination Book blessed by the intervention of the Holy Spirit is a disgrace.
Your threat to remove my Diaconate title is sad and this unfortunate decision is yours to bear. The way you have forbidden my participation as Deacon is an ignominy. Having all this said, I do however, respect your decision. With age comes wisdom, and wisdom has granted me the view that I can no longer serve a leader driven by personal motives. Since you have made clear the intention to remove my Diaconate title, I have made the decision to deliver my stole to you personally and part ways permanently. You have driven away a loyal, devoted and dedicated Deacon; this rests solely upon your shoulder.
Srpazan Hayr, last year you came to honor my father Hagop Dakessian’s interment service since he was your teacher in Beirut, Lebanon. A short time later with the same breath you have wrongfully disgraced his son’s honor and name.
My father often shared these wise words with me: “today we are here, tomorrow we are gone, and forever we remain with the decisions we have made in our lives, so choose wisely in every action you take”. Today I sadly decide to choose to adhere to your decision. I humbly remove my oorar and place it in your hands.
I pray for new servants of God to replace me and fulfill the duties required to attend to our flock. As our wise and gracious St. Nersess Shnorhali so eloquently wrote: I pray for our names to be entered into the Book of Life for our good deeds; instead of abiding by this prayer, your decision to strip my title has discredited my name and lifelong dedication and contribution to our Holy Church. Srpazan Hayr, this is a sad day, but not for me: I can live without my Diaconate title. This is a sad day for your congregation for you are losing a dedicated servant.
Srpazan Hayr, may God guide your path through your tenure and send the Holy Spirit upon you to grace your decisions. May God grant you the wisdom to make the right choices for the betterment of our congregation during turbulent moments in our church. I pray that God show you the good deeds of Fr. Kevork Halladjian and my fellow Deacons in Christ, Dn. Dennis Takessian and Dn. Hagop Demirjian; to recognize the good they have done for the community.
I wish you success and good health. I do not or will not veer away from our true and Orthodox Armenian Apostolic faith, however, from this point you and I part ways.
A God loving, God fearing and loyal servant of God,
Ara Dakessian
Bedros Ara Dakessian
HOW DID THE AMERICAN
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN WESTERN U.S. END UP IN
LEGAL MESS INVOLVING
WESTERN DIOCESE?
See an Apr. 2019 article:
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS
RELATING TO WESTERN DIOCESE-TAGLYAN COMPLEX FROM 2003 TO 2019
WHAT HAPPENED SINCE 2003!
Posted on April. 27. 2019
BY APPO JABARIAN
EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR
USA ARMENIAN LIFE MAGAZINE
1) April 2003: Pastor Manoug Markarian of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood appealed to Petros Taglyan for the purchase of the long-term lease on the adjacent land next to the Church. In good faith Mr. Taglyan purchases for $300,000 and donated it to the Church.
2) June 11, 2003: St. John Garabed Church Parish Council sends a thank you letter to Mr. Taglyan for the $300,000 donation.
3) May 2003-Sept. 2004: the Hovnan Derderian-Manoug Markarian duo fails at raising any funds to build hall and parking lot.
4) Sept. 16, 2004: Pastor Manoug Markarian sent an appeal letter in Armenian to Mr. Taglyan saying that the church was in bad financial shape and it was unable to meet the monthly lease payments. The letter was unanswered. (See page E5)
5) Sept. 28, 2004: Pastor Manoug Markarian sent a 2nd appeal letter also in Armenian to Mr. Taglyan this time proposing to him 1) to oversee the construction; 2) to take over the management of Taglyan Complex after completion of construction; 3) to secure the entire loan for the construction of the hall at the rate 7% annual interest and receive the funds back from the proceeds of Taglyan Complex without any time limitation until the entire loan is paid off. Mr. Taglyan declined to accept the offer saying he didn’t want to get involved in any catering business management and any business dealings with the church. (See page E5)
6) Nov. 6, 2004: Upon personal appeal by Arch. Derderian finally Mr. Taglyan’s attorney drafted a counter-agreement reiterating Pastor Manoug Markarian’s offer as outlined in the Sept. 28, 2004 letter. (See page E4)
7) Jan. 16, 2005: Arch. Derderian and Western Diocese presented in English a letter using Pastor Manouk Markarian’ s name as the signatory making a new offer and proposing Mr. Taglyan 1) to oversee the construction; 2) to take over the management of Taglyan Complex after completion of construction confirming “that the church will not have the right to intrude in any manner in the financial operations of these facilities;” 3) all of the expenses incurred will be reimbursed to you from the proceeds of the operation of the hall. You will receive an additional 7% interest annually until the complete reimbursement of the funds spent by you “receiving the funds back from the proceeds of Taglyan Complex without any time limitation until the entire loan is paid off. In addition to presenting this letter-offer, Arch Derderian and Pastor Manoug used their façade as pious spiritual servants they personally reached out to Mr. Taglyan vying to reach their goal. Back then Arch Derderian and Pastor Manoug projected the image of holy men. Both men were new arrivals in Western U.S. and were highly anxious to show some administrative success so that their popularity-ranking improved. Wherever they went, they used Mr. Taglyan’s good name and reputation.
8) From 2005 to 2009: Based on St. John Garabed parish council‘s approval of the Hovnan Derderian/Western Diocese new offer of January 16, 2005, Mr. Taglyan started construction by continuously borrowing millions of dollars from the bank.
9) 2009: After completion of construction, Mr. Taglyan tries to find a suitable catering company to operate the Taglyan Complex. After unsuccessful attempts and losing more money, Mr. Taglyan stepped in and formed his own catering company to operate Taglyan Complex thus saving the entire project from total bankruptcy.
10) 2015 through 2018: The Taglyan Complex thrived under Mr. Taglyan’s management becoming a highly famous catering and entertainment center ranking as #1 in the entire Los Angeles County. By making profit the project enticed the greed of The Derderian Triumvirate: Arch Derderian, Pastor Manouk Markarian, and Pastor’s son Harout Markarian.
11) May 2018: “The Derderian Triumvirate” attempted to boot out Mr. Taglyan They decided to remove Mr. Taglyan altogether in order to collect the income dismissing the pay down agreement of the loan while keeping the income for themselves.
12) May 2018: Soon after his discovery of The Derderian Triumvirate’s plan, Mr. Taglyan offered to relinquish management of Taglyan Complex to the church under the condition that the church guarantees the repayment of the loan. The church refused to issue such a guarantee. Subsequently Mr. Taglyan chose to keep in force the original management and loan repayment agreement.
13) Sept. 17, 2018: Western Diocese and Saint John Garabed church attorney sends a 30-day notice to vacate property. (Where is the input from Joseph Kanimian, Esq. and Adrienne Krikorian, Esq. in their capacity as Chairman and Co-Chairwoman of Diocesan Council, the highest governing body of the Western Diocese?)
14) Late 2018: Western Diocese filed a lawsuit against Mr. Taglyan for Unlawful Detainer.
15) Jan. 28, 2019: Western Diocese and Saint John Garabed church lost the case. Superior Court Judge Randolph M. Hammock issued a verdict in favor of Mr. Taglyan and ordered Western Diocese to pay Mr. Taglyan’s all legal fees. Judge Hammock stated that he didn’t find Pastor Manoug a creditable witness stating, “frankly I don’t believe, Pastor Manoug at all,” and Pastor Manoug “was just covering himself and his butt.” Judge Hammock also added that taking into consideration that Mr. Taglyan and his family had spent 15 years and millions of dollars of their own money, “It would be grave misjustice to rule in your (Western Diocese) favor.”
16) March 11, 2019: In an effort to create confusion in the mind of the public by disseminating disinformation, Western Diocese issued an incoherent official press release posting it on their website. The unintelligible press release erroneously made several unfounded claims.
17) April 13, 2019: Members of independent and free media studied the facts and revealed several lies being spread through Western Diocese’s March 11 press release.
“SAVE WESTERN DIOCESE,”
“SAVE WESTERN PRELACY”
COMMITTEES JOINTLY CALL
FOR AUDITS OF FINANCIALS
Armenian Church Reform (ACR) movement, along with Save Western Prelacy, Save Western Diocese supporters are suggesting a certified CPA accounting firm like KPMG or Deloitte to audit the dealings by both Holy Etchmiadzin Western Diocese and Great House of Cilicia’s Western Prelacy. ACR’s founding members who hail from all denominations and political backgrounds are now calling for a certified CPA accounting firm to conduct comprehensive audits of Archbishop Derderian, Archpriest Manoug and son Harout Markarian’s transactions within the Western Diocese and ARF/ANCA Western U.S. autocrats Viken and Nora Hovsepian Clan’s dealings in the Western Prelacy to dispel any questions and to ensure transparency.
ARMENIAN CHURCH REFORM (ACR)
“SAVE WESTERN PRELACY” COMMITTEE
“SAVE WESTERN DIOCESE” COMMITTEE
See an Oct. 2019 article titled
Judge rejects Western Diocese Arch. Derderian’s, Pastor Manoug Markarian’s request and orders payment of all court costs
incurred by Dr. Taglyan’s
Posted on October. 26. 2019
BY APPO JABARIAN
EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR
USA ARMENIAN LIFE MAGAZINE
In Oct. 2019, Western Diocese’s Arch. Hovnan Derderian and Pastor Manoug Markarian were back in court to ask Superior Court Judge Randolph M. Hammock to award a reduction of payment to Dr. Petros Taglyan for the latter’s court costs. The Judge heard the case (no. 18STCV02144) and issued a verdict reconfirming the outcome of a court proceeding that took place earlier in the year: Arch. Derderian’s Western Diocese must pay all court costs incurred by Dr. Petros Taglyan.
This latest episode adds to the long list of wrongdoings by Derderian as featured in the Aug. 12 Special ACR Report by Armenian Church Reform titled “Twenty-Plus Reasons Why Hovnan Derderian’s Time Has Come to End.”
Earlier in the year, on Jan. 28, in the Court, Judge Hammock had found Arch. Derderian’s representative Pastor Markarian as a liar. Apparently Markarian was ‘authorized’ by Arch. Derderian and the Exec. Dir. of the Western Diocese, Pastor Markarian’s son, Harut Markarian to deny the agreement with Dr. Taglyan.
How could the autocrats of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA-WR), Dr. Vicken Hovsepian and his wife Nora Hovsepian ignore these blatant facts making a unilateral decision to present Arch. Derderian with ANCA-WR’s “Khrimian Hayrig” Award?
With all the controversy surrounding Arch. Derderian Nora Hovsepian, Esq. had a fiduciary duty to ANCA-WR to vet Derderian before deciding to give such an honor. As an attorney, from her office on her computer it is very easy to check public files. In just a few minutes she would have had all the information needed to make a decision on him. Just this year court Case No. 18STCV02144 would have been sufficient to disqualify the proposed recipient.
Which side is the loser? The Armenian Church Western Diocese! What was the main reason for the legal defeat? Derderian’s main representative Markarian was caught red-handed as a liar in a U.S. Court. And Markarian is not a layperson. He is supposed to be a spiritual servant in a church and he officially represents the spiritual leader of the Western Diocese.
How did the Diocese and the Armenian Church end up in such a major scandal? Where do the root causes of this embarrassing situation come from?
In 2003, having received Arch. Derderian’s node, Pastor Markarian of St. John Garabed Armenian Church Hollywood appealed to Dr. Taglyan for the construction of a hall-complex on an adjacent land next to the Church.
In good faith Dr. Taglyan had used his home equity line of credit to donate $300,000 to the Church for the purchase of the long-term lease on a vacant land so the church could start the construction of the hall.
In appreciation of Dr. Taglyan’s generous donation the church leaders decided to name it the “Taglyan Complex.”
From April 2003 through May 2004, Arch. Hovnan Derderian and Pastor Manoug Markarian were unable to raise any funds for the construction of the hall.
Again, on September 16, 2004 they approached Dr. Taglyan for another donation (see image #1) saying that the church was in bad financial shape and it was unable to meet the monthly lease payments. The letter was unanswered. (See page E5). They also asked him to secure multimillion-dollar-loans for the construction.
It is understandable why Dr. Taglyan declined. Arch. Derderian’s request for such a major donation went beyond the call of duty for any donor. Up until that moment Dr. Taglyan had already donated $1.5 million for various Diocesan causes.
But Arch. Derderian and his agent Pastor Markarian were relentless who constantly appealed Dr. Taglyan for help.
Eventually they succeeded in convincing Dr. Taglyan to loan millions of dollars.
On Jan. 16, 2005, Arch Derderian and Western Diocese presented in English a letter using Pastor Manouk Markarian’s name as the signatory making a new offer and proposing Dr. Taglyan 1) to oversee the construction; 2) to take over the management of Taglyan Complex after completion of construction confirming “that the church will not have the right to intrude in any manner in the financial operations of these facilities;” 3) all of the expenses incurred will be reimbursed to you from the proceeds of the operation of the hall. You will receive an additional 7% interest annually until the complete reimbursement of the funds spent by you “receiving the funds back from the proceeds of Taglyan Complex without any time limitation until the entire loan is paid off. In addition to presenting this letter-offer, Arch Derderian and Pastor Manoug used their façade as pious spiritual servants they personally reached out to Dr. Taglyan vying to reach their goal. Back then Arch Derderian and Pastor Manoug projected the image of holy men. Both men were new arrivals in Western U.S. and were highly anxious to show some administrative success so that their popularity-ranking improved. Wherever they went, they used Dr. Taglyan’s good name and reputation.
At that juncture Dr. Taglyan negotiated a series of loans with his bank using his credit history guaranteeing with his signature for a number of loans totaling $15 million. His agreement with Arch Hovnan Derderian and Pastor Manoug Markarian was that Dr. Taglyan would design a business plan that would control and guarantee the repayment of the loan. Dr. Taglyan offered: Once the loan was paid, he “would surrender the whole complex to the Church” for them to reap the benefits for perpetuity.
His business plan included a catering company. Dr. Taglyan’s plan worked bringing in a healthy income paying down the loan. Everything was going as planned when suddenly under the auspices of Arch. Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese he unilaterally felt that they should take control of the Taglyan Complex and the catering company by defrauding him out of millions of dollars.
In early 2019, they ended up in court over this matter. Superior Court Judge Hammock was assigned to this case. He carefully listened to both sides. During the court proceedings, Judge Hammock, directly asked Pastor Manoug’s son Harout Markarian, Executive Director representing the Western Diocese: “What would the church do if a priest was caught lying?” Harout’s answer: “He would be immediately fired and defrocked.” While Harout Markarian was making such a pronouncement he should have been well aware of the fact that his own father Pastor Manoug Markarian was going to get caught red-handed by Judge Hammock for making gross misrepresentations to the court under oath. Pastor Manoug was called as a witness for cross-examination. After answering several questions, Judge Hammock stated that he didn’t find Pastor Manoug a creditable witness stating, “frankly I don’t believe, Pastor Manoug at all,” and Pastor Manoug “was just covering himself and his butt.” Judge Hammock issued a verdict on April 2, 2019 in favor of Dr. Taglyan and ordered Western Diocese/St. John Armenian Church Parish Council to pay all legal fees incurred.
On March 11, 2019 an incoherent official press release was circulated in various media and posted on the Western Diocese website. In conclusion of the unintelligible press release it stated that, “any individual or organization wishing to obtain clarification or accurate information, may reach out to the Parish Council without any hesitation”.
I immediately contacted the Diocesan Council chairman Joseph Kanimian, Esq. by email and US Mail for a concise explanation of the hearing. To this day my email and USPO signature-required letter remain unanswered. As of this printing (Oct. 25) I have not received a response.
I have concluded that it is clear that Derderian and his agents, Pastor Manoug Markarian and his son Harout Markarian were directly involved in trying to railroad Dr. Taglyan out $15 million by undermining his business plan. This unilateral and misguided action by Western Diocese would trigger a foreclosure forcing Dr. Taglyan to come up with another plan to pay off the loan or lose his creditability with the bank. It is now clear that Derderian and his agents are using the Armenian Church and the Western Diocese as their family business.
Armenian Church Reform movement supporters have suggested a certified CPA accounting firm like KPMG or Deloitte to audit the dealings by Derderian and Markarian to dispel any questions and to ensure transparency.
Why did the 2018-2019 Diocesan chairman Joseph Kanimian, Esq. allow the situation get out of hand? How did the remaining members of Diocesan Council allow this to happen?
The current Chairman of the Diocesan Council Adrienne Krikorian, Esq. has a fiduciary duty to ensure proper management of Diocesan affairs. At best she should have known about damaging outcome of legal harassment by the Derderian-Markarian duo against Dr. Taglyan. At the very least she should have ensured the appointment of qualified individuals to serve as Arch. Hovnan Derderian’s right hand man and official spokesperson of the Western Diocese rather than Court-recognized liar Pastor Markarian to testify in court representing the Diocese. Why didn’t the top two leaders of the Diocesan Council Joseph Kanimian, Esq. and Adrienne Krikorian, Esq. warn Arch. Derderian and Pastor Markarian they didn’t have a chance in court because of the contract?
What about the statement to the judge under oath of Harout Markarian “What would the church do if a priest was caught lying?” his answer, “He would be immediately fired and defrocked”? That statement should have been followed through by now. Why is Pastor Markarian still serving as a priest, spokesman and primate’s right-hand man at the Western Diocese?
Why did the 2018-2019 Diocesan Council members allow for the situation to deteriorate causing so much embarrassment for the diocese? And why the newly-elected 2019-2020 Diocesan Council members under their Chair Ms. Krikorian, are not properly addressing these critical issues?
An increasing number of Diocese supporters are insisting that in order to remedy the situation, Arch. Derderian and his agents Pastor Markarian and his son Harout Markarian must resign.
The longer the 2019-2020 Diocesan Council members (listed below) fail in their fiduciary duty, the more people can rightfully claim that The Western Diocese is fast-becoming a banana republic.
A recent view of the vacant land that used to house St. John Armenian
Apostolic Church (Hollywood, CA): An Eye sore for the Faithful!
See a Jan. 2020 article titled
The Cat is Out of The Bag
Posted on January. 31. 2020
BY APPO JABARIAN
Looking at the track record of Arch. Derderian’s Western Diocese in the court case Western Diocese vs. Petros Taglyan (Case Number: 18STCV02144), one can easily see an overflow of legal paperwork through filing motion after motion by the Diocese.
This is nothing new for a primate who has now ‘earned’ the reputation of being a conniving, vindictive, cash-hungry and an over ambitious warlord.
A simple comparison:
The behavior of Arch. Derderian’s Western Diocese in it’s court battle against a major benefactor Petros Taglyan Is reminiscent of its 2004-2005 attempt to drown another benefactor and a targeted victim — Harout Aga Sarkisian and his partner Harout Hallajian of Alavjian Catering at Western Diocese (Case Number: BC316046).
Mr. Taglyan was a benefactor of the church long before Arch. Derderian and St. John Garabed Armenian Church Pastor Manouk Markarian arrived in Western U.S.
When Mr. Taglyan first met Arch. Derderian 15 years ago and Pastor Manouk about 20 years ago, he was clueless about Derderian’s tarnished background In Canada, Armenia and Lebanon, and Markarian’s defrocking In Armenia by His Holiness Vasken I Catholicos of All Armenians.
Like many Western Diocese members and supporters, Mr. Taglyan wasn’t aware of the fact Derderian was literally expelled from the Armenian Church Canada Diocese because of monetary theft and gross mismanagement. Derderian was also expelled from the Armenian Church seminary in Lebanon because of sexual misconduct and his reputation as a gossip peddler.
When Derderian first arrived and became primate of Western Diocese, virtually
The very first time Taglyan started finding out about Derderian’s true persona was in the case Western Diocese vs Alavjian Catering at the Diocese.
When Mr. Aga Sarkisian first approached Mr. Taglyan sharing his concern about Derderian’s real intentions to misappropriate the new catering business that had cost Mr. Aga Sarkisian close to one million dollars, Mr. Taglyan attempted to convince Derderian to abstain from defrauding Mr. Aga Sarkisian . Mr. Taglyan had also advised Derderian to avoid ending up in court in order to save Derderian and the Church from imminent embarrassment in a court of law. From the onset Mr. Taglyan was convinced that because of existing agreement Derderian and the Diocese would end up losing the court battles. Above and beyond the embarrassment issue , Mr. Taglyan didn’t think that it was morally correct to defraud a church benefactor who has been lured by the church into a business proposition. Mr. Aga Sarkisian was in reality trying to help the church.
But Derderian didn’t care about the church embarrassment issue saying that he stood to pocket lots of money. He was fixated on making lots of money. He cared less about morality and about being summoned to the court as long as he “would make lots of money.”
Mr. Taglyan was shocked, surprised and disgusted from such a response. He considered unbecoming of the head of the Armenian Church or any church for hat matter. When Derderian first arrived in U.S. Mr. Taglyan was impressed with Derderian’s projected image as a devout Christian and a spiritual servant. He never expected that Derderian would turn out to be a scoundrel. Mr. Taglyan never anticipated that a day would come when he would start noticing such a strong hatred against fellow Christians and Armenians.
After Derderian lost the case against Aga Sarkisian which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Diocese, Mr. Taglyan felt that Derderian may have wizened and would refrain from resorting to such outlandish behavior against other good-meaning church people and the community as a whole. Taglyan thought that Derderian would come to his senses and be more humane with the community he was hired to serve; be more serving for the flock rather than being egocentric and self-serving.
A close look at the two distinct cases can help easily detect a striking similarity in tactic of wearing down the opposing side or the targeted victim in order to discourage the victim from defending his violated rights.
Arch Derderian’s style of dumping countless legal motions in a court of law can be very financially, emotionally and morally exhausting for the opposing side— the targeted victim.
In the mainstream American society, it’s not an uncommon practice in civil lawsuits among feuding sides to resort to legal war of attrition, but witnessing a church leadership like Western Diocese resort to a similar legal tactic in a case involving any Christian church against own members whose prime and exclusive purpose is nothing more than helping the church is astonishing.
But for a church to abuse the goodwill of its members and target them with blackmail, character assassination, legal war of attrition through an unwarranted and hyper costly avalanche of motions is considered a blatant attempt by the church to coerce the victim into silence and surrender in favor of the perpetrator — in this case Derderian’s Western Diocese.
The unforeseen circumstance in the case of Benefactor Mr. Taglyan:
The community is fortunate that in both cases — ‘ Western Diocese vs. Petros Taglyan’ and ‘Western Diocese vs Alavjian Catering,’ the benefactors used some kind of a legal device that would protect them against unexpected circumstances.
While Mr. Taglyan was doing everything in his power to help the church –WITHOUT INVESTING A SINGLE PENNY to eventually become the beneficiary of a fully paid $20 million complex with A free and clear title, all of a sudden, because of blind, uncontrollable greed on the part of Primate Derderian and Pastor Markarian, he faced the danger of being defrauded out of millions of dollars at the hands of the same people he was trying to help.
Mr. Taglyan is relieved that the American justice system is a healthy functioning judicial system that sides with fairness and justice. Presiding Judge Randolph M. Hammock issued a verdict in favor of the intended victim Mr. Taglyan stopping Dederian-Markarian’s attempt to railroad Mr. Taglyan out of millions of dollars. Western Diocese lost and was ordered to pay all legal fees. In 2019, the same duo opened a motion against the court claiming that Judge Hammock was biased against them. Again they lost and were ordered to pay all legal fees.
In the court case ‘Western Diocese vs Alavjian Catering,’ the Judge issued an injunction in FAVOR of Mr. Aga Sarkisian and Mr. Hallajian and the next day as per court orders, Arch. Derderian gave a set of new keys to the intended victims.
And now the cat is out of the bag and Derderian’s and fellow clansmen’s wrongdoings have come to the forefront of the community’s awareness. An increasing number of Western Diocese members and supporters are calling for Derderian’s resignation.