GURU'S HELPERS DEFEND PURCHASE OF BOAT, 56 CARS

Los Angeles Times (1886-Current File); Jun 24, 1974; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Los Angeles Times (1881 - 1985) pg. 2

GURU'S HELPERS DEFEND PURCHASE OF BOAT, 56 CARS

DENVER (UPI)-Officials of Divine Light Mission say there is nothing illegal about using their religious tax-exempt status to buy beach umbrellas, a boat and 56 cars, including a Rolls Royce, for their 16-year-old guru.

All purchasing activities are in accordance with state and federal laws," said Cliff Bowden, a spokesman for the Denver-based mission which claims more than 60,000 followers for the guru Maharaj Ji in the United States.

Officials at the Colorado Sales Tax Division and the Denver sales tax office think otherwise and have begun field audits on the mission's use of the tax exemption.