Serial Discovery Abuser Gets Terminating Sanctions. And they Stick, for Once!

J.W. v. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of N.Y., No. E066555 (D4d2 Dec. 10, 2018)

A Girl sued the Watchtower Society—the governing body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses—for its failure to prevent her from being molested by an elder of the Church. In discovery, she requested a copy of all correspondence received by the Church after it sent a letter to its congregations asking them to explain any occasions where persons known to have molested children were promoted to positions of authority with the Church. The Church claimed the documents were subject to the clergy-penitent privilege and that it would be unduly burdensome to search for them. The trial court disagreed and granted Girl’s motion to compel.