Allegations Against Greg Baer and the Impact on His Followers

Kim felt a profound hunger for fatherly affection. She became an intern for Baer, cherishing the time spent in his embrace. Seeking to overcome her fears, she asked Baer for guidance. He suggested removing her top, but he refrained from inappropriate contact. Kim described the experience as parental and precious, but now recognizes it as classic grooming behavior.

Another incident occurred when Baer took Kim to a pool house. At his direction, she undressed. He lay beside her, massaging her back and holding her breasts. Kim didn’t feel free to refuse, fearing rejection. Her perspective shifted when a call from her daughter Penelope disrupted what she now describes as a cult mindset.

Kim later discovered similar stories from other women, including Inge Jechart. Inge, a Real Love follower since 2005, sought Baer’s support during a challenging period in her life. Overcome with emotion when first held by Baer, she found solace. This positive experience led her to frequent retreats at Baer’s home.

We hold our own children when they’re naked to make them feel safe.—Inge Jechart

In 2017, at Baer’s direction, Inge undressed during two separate incidents. Baer’s actions, including fondling her breasts, felt wrong, prompting her to protest. After receiving a stern response, she remained silent to protect the community.

Kim and Inge never anticipated Baer’s involvement with younger women like Veena and Penelope. This realization was particularly distressing for Kim, who was shocked by the possibility.

The Backlash

In February 2019, Kim confronted Baer via email, accusing him of wrongdoing and demanding he cease naked holding practices. Her emails, reviewed by NBC News, condemned his actions as hurtful and traumatic.

Other women echoed her sentiments, including one from the U.K. urging Baer to shut down Real Love. Baer responded defiantly, denying the accusations and claiming that many were healing through his methods.

The aftermath of these revelations involved contact with the police in Rome. Authorities found insufficient evidence for a sexual abuse case, and no charges were filed. The women also reported Baer to their local Mormon churches, and the church initiated proceedings that could lead to excommunication.

The Legal and Personal Aftermath

Veena and Penelope pursued legal action against Baer, resulting in settlements of $12,000 each. By this time, Veena distanced herself from Real Love, separated from her husband, and left the church. She pursued a degree in psychology from Columbia University, seeking answers about her past experiences.

Veena eventually wrote about her time with Real Love in a memoir, using pseudonyms for Baer and the group. Published under the title The True Happiness Company, the book aims to help others understand the subtle changes leading to profound impacts.

In her book, Veena reflected:

The physical violation is not what unravels me. It’s the emotional and mental manipulation that altered the course of my life, friendships, and career paths.

Veena hopes her account serves as a warning about the risks of undue influence from charismatic leaders.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out by calling or texting 988, or visit 988lifeline.org or SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.