Christian Assemblies International: Former members detail abuse handed out by CAI leader Scott Williams
Four Corners By Caro Meldrum-Hanna
Updated 28 Jul 2014, 6:46pm

Sorry, this video has expired
VIDEO: Whistleblowers turn on CAI founder Pastor Scott Williams (pictured) (ABC News)
PHOTO: Former members say Scott Williams preached that women and children were to be beaten if they misbehaved. (ABC News)
MAP: Coffs Harbour 2450
A four-year investigation by the ABC has uncovered shocking claims of abuse and torment in relation to NSW-based registered charity and religious group Christian Assemblies International (CAI).

Four Corners has revealed that self-styled religious guru Pastor Scott Williams was using his warped brand of evangelical Pentecostalism to run a clandestine homosexual sex ring while allegedly misusing vast amounts of member donations for personal use.

Courageous former members broke their silence and told of their torment living inside the group, which they said is not a Christian church but a horrendous cult run by one man.

The ex-members have remained in the shadows until now out of fear and shame. They detailed shocking acts of abuse ranging from spiritual abuse, financial abuse, verbal and physical abuse, and the sexual abuse of adult men.

They said bizarre sexual rituals were carried out in secret by Williams, who described himself as "The Anointed One" with the Lord's authorisation to sidestep biblical commands against homosexuality and sexually train his male members into submission and obedience.

Four Corners approached Williams, whose full name is Anthony Scott Williams, and senior people in the church. All declined requests for interviews and refused to answer the program's questions.

He made himself rich. He has groomed people, particularly men and boys ... for his own pleasure. The Pentecostal church which he represents is just ... a facade which he has built to build his own kingdom.
Former member Gunther Frantz
The CAI is one of more than 60,000 registered charities in Australia and Four Corners can reveal it has been investigated by multiple authorities around the world.

But until now, the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) had no idea of the systemic abuse and allegations of corruption regarding the CAI, despite other authorities in Australia being alerted and informed of possibly illegal acts several years ago.

ACNC head Susan Pascoe has pledged to take immediate action.

"This is clearly one that we've been alerted to by the media, and in that instance we would certainly be investigating," she said.

"If there was evidence that this was not acting in a charitable way or causing serious harm, then the charity can be deregistered."

It is a pledge that should strike fear into the current leadership of the CAI, of which Williams is still a director.