Buddhist Nun Files Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking and Labor Exploitation by Prominent California Temple Leaders ORANGE COUNTY, Calif.
Today, Dhillon Law Group, Inc., along with co-counsel Tiger TTF Lawyers, filed a sweeping civil lawsuit on behalf of Huong Chau, a Buddhist nun, against prominent Vietnamese Buddhist religious leaders and affiliated organizations. The suit, filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, alleges that Ms. Chau was enticed to the United States with promises of religious opportunity and sponsorship, only to be forced into grueling secular labor for as little as $300 to $400 per month, deprived of rest breaks, subjected to substandard living conditions and repeatedly sexually assaulted by Defendant Xuan Ngoc Ho. When she attempted to report the abuse, the defendants allegedly retaliated by restricting her movements, threatening her, and expelling her from the temples.
The defendants are Xuan Ngoc Ho (also known as Thich Vien Huy), Tang Ho (also known as Thich Vien Ly), Dieu Ngu Buddhist Temple, Dieu Phap Buddhist Temple and the International Buddhist Cultural Heritage Foundation, among others.
“What happened to Ms. Chau is both morally reprehensible and blatantly illegal,” said John-Paul S. Deol, Partner at Dhillon Law Group. “The defendants abused their positions of religious authority to commit egregious acts of sexual violence while stripping her of her dignity, her labor rights and her safety.”
“This case is about abuse of power and harassment. We stand firm to protect the victim,” said Tiger Hoang Tu, Chief Legal Counsel at Tiger TTF Lawyers, APLC.
“This case is about control and exploitation, sexual, emotional and economic, carried out under the guise of religious leadership,” said Michael Fleming, Senior Counsel at Dhillon Law Group. “We intend to hold every individual and institution accountable for the profound harm they have caused.”
“Ms. Chau endured sexual violence, relentless harassment and exploitation at the hands of those who should have protected her,” said Brandon Q. Tran, Senior Counsel at Dhillon Law Group. “We will use every legal tool available to deliver justice for Ms. Chau.”
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, violations of California’s Ralph Act and Gender Violence Act, human trafficking, wage theft and other claims.
Ms. Chau is represented by John-Paul S. Deol, Michael Fleming and Brandon Q. Tran of Dhillon Law Group, Inc., and Tiger Hoang Huy Tu of Tiger TTF Lawyers, APLC.