Sex, Rich Von, Equinox, and Trek Alliance
Part of the heritage that the founders of Trek Alliance brought with them from Equinox International was the reputation for sexual goings-on by top leaders. Although these same leaders, including Rich Von (whose real name is Richard J. VonAlvensleben), complained bitterly about Equinox founder Bill Gouldd's sexual proclivities, their own behavior cannot stand up under scrutiny.
While holding himself up as a wonderful example to new recruits, a dedicated family man of high scruples, Rich Von was convicted in 1996 of sexual misconduct. The charge was reduced from a charge of Sodomy, 1st Degree.
In the early morning hours of March 4, 1996, following a meeting at which he was one of the trainers talking to Equinox representatives about the necessity for trusting their leaders implicitly, Von sodomized a new, starry-eyed, 25-year old recruit, according to court records filed in Kenton County, Kentucky.
The woman testified to the police that afterwards she was raped by another trainer, Ray Pearson.
After having a couple of drinks, a group of trainers and representatives, including the victim's sponsor, were invited to Von's room. Gradually, as it became later, people started leaving in ones and twos while the victim became very ill. While Von sodomized her, she was vomiting over the side of the bed.
According to the woman, Pearson had "picked her out" earlier during the training session, and he and Von had planned the attacks.
The woman, a young mother, was subsequently treated at the local hospital. Von was arrested and charged; Pearson had flown out before the arresting officers arrived.
A spokesman for the victim stated that before the search warrant was executed at approximately 1:00 PM, an accomplice of Von's broke through the police "DO NOT CROSS" line and destroyed all of the evidence in the hotel room by cleaning up the vomitus, stripping the bed and removing the linens, towels, and other relevant items.
In October, 1996, Von pleaded guilty to a scaled-down charge of sexual misconduct, and a minimal sentence was imposed.
