Pangborn takes another man's money in exchange for nothing
Here is the story of another man who was conned out of $3000 by Ken Pangborn. Steven Leuck of Oregon, a divorcing father, was having difficulties and was referred to Pangborn by Dean Tong. Following is a brief summary of Mr. Leuck's experience with Ken. Mr. Leuck's e-mail dialogue with Ken has also been provided here.
Upon being exposed on this page, Ken Pangborn sent a harassing e-mail to Mr. Leuck.
From: Steven Leuck
To: fathers-rights@dragoncon.net
Subject: Ken Pangborn
I was blown away by your page on Ken Pangborn.
In late 1997 and through some of 1998 I talked to him about my ongoing divorce case and pending criminal hearing regarding a false allegation of domestic assault. I had some REAL concerns about the mental instability of my now ex.
Long story made very short -- he convinced me that I had to come back East, meet him an take some tests by some professor at a university back there (I think it was Georgia). Anyway, before he'd even make arrangements he made me send him a $3,000 money order. About 6 hours before I was to fly out I was put in contact with one of his former clients who quite frankly scared the hell out of me about what I was about to subject myself to with KP. I cancelled my plane flights and "tried" to talk to Ken about it. He abused me quite horribly over the phone and basically said I could never have my money back.
At the time I didn't have any resources to go after him for this money. I eventually divorced -- the majority of what he said would happen to me (fear tactics) never materialized -- but I am still out the $3,000.
He pretended to be Mormon like I am to get my money. 1 Later, in one of his emails to me trying to get me back on the hook he uses that against me. Starts to referring to me as "Brother" and even talks about having received "blessings" and other such stuff. However, there's enough not quite right about his language that tells me he is probably not really a member of the LDS church. He was just using it to get to me. He leads me to believe from what he wrote here that he is active LDS. But, I seriously doubt that he is. At one point he even challenges me to take this before a "bishop". Incredibly manipulative.
From what I have read he (I may be wrong), he may be in violation of wire-fraud for the way he took my money and then told me to kiss off. Now that my life is in order I would like to go after him for this money. I don't know if I have any recourse in this or even where I should start. It seemed from what I read on your web page that you may know at least where I can start.
Got any ideas?? Or perhaps someone else to contact??
Any help you might give would be VERY appreciated.
Sincerely,
Steven A. Leuck
1 Editor's note: Kenneth Pangborn is Catholic, as he states in the following usenet posts: 1, 2, 3