The Menlo Park fraud scandal involving the Jehovah's Witnesses revolves around allegations of financial misconduct and congregation control. In 2010, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York reportedly seized control of millions of dollars in real estate assets belonging to the Menlo Park Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in California. This was allegedly done by removing the body of elders and dispersing the congregation. Further claims suggest that money invested by the congregation was taken from their bank accounts by Watchtower representatives. Those who objected were allegedly threatened with disfellowshipping, and some were later expelled from the congregation. The scandal led to a RICO Enterprise civil lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase Bank and others, with accusations of corruption, collusion, banking fraud, and money laundering. Legal battles followed, including Cobb v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, where plaintiffs sought to expose financial irregularities linked to the congregation’s assets. The case involved multiple defendants, including bank officials, lawyers, and congregation members, but federal claims were ultimately dismissed.