Updated: 6:30 p.m. EDT
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — A lawyer representing a New Jersey nonprofit that offers so-called “gay conversion” therapy called several men suing the group “flat-out liars” during closing arguments of a civil trial Wednesday, while their attorney characterized the group as “amateurs using scalpels” on the minds of young gay men.
Jurors heard closing arguments Wednesday and were to receive instructions from the judge Thursday morning before beginning deliberations.
The lawsuit filed in 2012 accuses Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing of violating New Jersey’s consumer fraud laws by promising to turn gays into heterosexuals. To prevail, the plaintiffs need to convince a jury that JONAH, as it is called, engaged in unconscionable practices or made false promises or misrepresentations.
The trial began earlier this month and has featured testimony from the men about JONAH’s methods, which they said included using a tennis racket to beat a pillow that was meant to represent one man’s mother and engaging in role play that included a locker room scene where gay slurs were used.
The original four plaintiffs, three from Orthodox Jewish families and the fourth a Mormon, allege JONAH exploited them with false promises as they struggled with their same-sex attractions in strict religious environments where they were expected to marry women and have children.
In his summation, attorney James Bromley said JONAH’s sales pitch included telling prospective clients that it had a two-thirds success rate. JONAH co-founder Arthur Goldberg testified during the trial that the group kept no records but instead relied on anecdotal evidence from JONAH-affiliated counselors.
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“All in a process designed and run by amateurs,” Bromley said.
