Newspaper Article

Yacht suit rocks congregation
By Bill Alnor
Delaware County Daily Times July 20, 1986

CONCORD - In late December 1984 through January 1985, the Rev. Frederick Drummond, pastor of the Church of Our Saviour, went to Florida to "pray for the Lord's leading" for his church in the new year

Said one former member who recently left the church: "When he came back he told us he locked himself in a hotel room praying and fasting for us for days. He said he didn't want to come back unless he was absolutely sure of the Lord's leading for the church."

While the Daily Times has not been able to determine the amount of time Drummond spent praying during the trip, court documents reveal that Drummond spent some time in the Fort Lauderdale area meditating over which expensive oceangoing yacht he wanted to buy.

According to a court document the controversial pastor was apparently enchanted by a $810,000 yacht called the "El Presidente," which was given the name after President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Harry Truman occasionally used the vessel to hold top secret meetings aboard her. Numerous heads of state and large corporation heads have been guests aboard the "El Presidente."

When numerous former members were asked if Drummond ever told them he was in Florida on a yacht-buying trip, all of them said they weren't. A number of former members who have left the controversial church, in the past eight months were surprised -- and angry -- when told about a lawsuit filed against Drummond in connection with the $810,000 yacht.

Tape recordings of worship services during that same time period reveal that assistant pastors who took over the pulpit told the congregation that they weren't sure when Drummond would come back to lead them. Drummond didn't feel right about coming back yet, they said. He had to stay in Florida to pray for the Lord's leading, they told the people.

In a recent interview, Drummond denied there had been a lawsuit filed against him concerning a yacht. Later the Daily Times called Drummond's residence and left a message that the newspaper had a copy of the lawsuit and was seeking his response.

Drummond did not return the phone call.

The suit, which was filed on Aug. 5, 1985 in Chester County Court by Gerald Slakoff, a marine surveyor and consultant from Ft. Lauderdale, alleges that Drummond and his wife Lorraine, were in Florida in "late December 1984 and early January 1985" considering purchasing the lavish, 96-foot yacht.

Slakoff alleged in the suit that Drummond hired him to examine the boat and report to him concerning the soundness of his purchase. Slakoff alleged that after he completed the report Drummond ignored numerous attempts to pay his bill of $1,125 plus interest.

Because the work performed by Slakoff "saved Defendants from making a horrible financial mistake and perhaps even resulted in saving Defendants and their guests' lives," the suit demands "judgment in excess of $20,000 exclusive of interest and costs."

Accompanying the lawsuit was a copy of Slakoffs 25-page report on the yacht which contained numerous photographs of the vessel. The report notes the yacht contained three color televisions (two Sony Trinitrons), a clothes washer and dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator-freezer, various pieces of stereo equipment, and numerous other luxury items.

According to a brochure advertising the "El Preidente," the yacht was used in the filming of the movie "Rough Cut" with Burt Reynolds, David Niven and Leslie Ann Downs and for "Harry and Son" starring Paul Newman and Robby Benson.

Filed with the suit is Drummond's answer to Slakoffs allegations. Drummond denied "that any money is due because of the failure of the plaintiff to perform." Drummond also charged Slakoffs "opinion and appraisal were unreliable since he changed his mind on the value and sea-worthiness of the vessel without justification."

(In a telephone interview Slakoff said the suit was settled when Drummond recently paid him in full.)

Drummond's attorney defending the suit was John T. Tolbert of Chester. Tolbert, who has also served as the attorney for the church until leaving about seven months ago, has refused comment on the suit. Tolbert and his wife, Beverly, have recently denounced Drummond as a "master deceiver" and said they were "brainwashed" while members of the church.

But Tolbert did say that Drummond loved yachts.