Separation agreement between Linda Shelton & 3ABN

This document was originally published by Linda Shelton on her personal website (started in June 2004). It is presently published on the Save3ABN website by the accusers of 3ABN.

The contract was as follows:

Separation Agreement Between

Three Angels Broadcasting Network, Inc.

and

Linda Shelton

Three Angels Broadcasting Network, Inc. ("Three Angels") and Linda Shelton ("Mrs. Shelton"), hereby agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Three Angels agrees to pay Linda Shelton, within seven days of the signing of this document by both parties, the sum of $45,000. Three Angels agrees to transfer to Linda the rights, including the masters, to the five musical CD projects that she has had a primary role in (two solo projects and three duet projects with Danny and Linda) and the eight musical songs on video from the I Think About Grace album.

2. Three Angels agrees to pay Linda Shelton, within seven days of the signing of this agreement by both parties, a further sum of $45,000.

3. Three Angels also agrees to pay Linda Shelton $75,000 for each of the years 2005 and 2006. This money will be paid out in 24 equal installments ($6,250.00) beginning the first Monday of January, 2005, and continuing to be paid on the first Monday of each month for the next 23 months, ending with the payment on the first Monday of December 2006. These payments shall continue to be made only insofar as Mrs. Shelton complies with the conditions specified below.

4. All the above payment amounts represent gross severance pay and settlement figures, and the actual amount given to Mrs. Shelton will be reduced by the amount that employers are required to withhold by law for state and federal income taxes and other mandatory withholdings.

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5. Linda Shelton agrees that, in consideration for the $90,000 which she will receive in seven days from the time that both parties sign this agreement, she will not bring any lawsuit, legal action, or other claim against Three Angels Broadcasting Network, any of its officers or directors, or any of its employees, in any court, forum, tribunal or proceeding for damages, whether compensatory or punitive, compensation, or other relief.

6. Linda Shelton agrees that, in consideration for the $90,000 and for the monthly payments that will commence in January 2005, that she will not make public statements critical of Three Angels, the board of directors, or any of its officers or employees. Public statements include those made on the air, whether via radio or television, in print, whether in newspapers, magazines, books or other printed sources, or circulated on the internet in the form of e-mail or web-postings, or made at churches or other public meeting sites. She also agrees that she will not make statements in private for her friends, agents, or third parties to attribute to her in a public manner as described above. If her friends, agents or other third parties make public statements critical of Three Angels, Mrs. Shelton shall immediately, upon notification by Three Angels, cooperate with Three Angels and request in writing and by telephone, if reasonably possible, that public statements made by third parties discontinue. If she does not so cooperate, any such public statements by third parties will be considered to be those of Mrs. Shelton, will be viewed as violation of this section, and will result in the termination of the payments to her described in Section 3.

7. Any dispute that arises out of this contract or the relationship between Mrs. Shelton and Three Angels or any of its officers and directors, whether during the period of payment to Mrs. Shelton or afterwards, concerning its terms, application, or whether its standards have been met by the parties, shall be reso1ved through Christian arbitration, and shall not be taken up in

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any court system, whether judicial or administrative. Both parties hereby waive any legal recourse and agree that they will submit to binding arbitration, with no appeal, by a panel of three Seventh-day Adventist Christians. This panel will be chosen in the following manner: Each side shall choose one Adventist Elder or Pastor in the North American Division. Those two persons shall then choose one other person that they can mutually agree on to chair the panel to arbitrate the dispute. The panel will hear testimony from both sides, consider any necessary evidence, and render a written decision that will be binding on the parties, with no further appeal allowed.

8. Nothing in the above shall prevent Mrs. Shelton from seeking a fair and equitable split of her marital property, which shall not include any property owned by Three Angels Broadcasting Network, in or out of court, in any separation or divorce proceeding. Any moneys received by Mrs. Shelton under this agreement shall be considered her separate and personal property, and not marital property.

Letter regarding the leave of absence prior to L. Shelton's dismissal from 3ABN

This email and letter were apparently furnished by Linda Shelton and published on the Save 3ABN website and also on BSDA and several other internet forums.

From: Walt Thompson
To: [Alyssa]
Subject: Letter for Linda
Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 21:43:07 -0500

Dear Linda,
This is a copy of the letter that has been sent by FEDEX to you. While you may not understand now, someday you will realize that we are truly desirous of returning you to your home and ministry because we care about you. I plan to go to 3ABN tomorrow and will be available to talk with you if you have questions needing clarification.

Walt

[FEDEX Letter]
May, 4, 2004

Walter Thompson MD
Chairman of 3ABN Board of Directors
- address removed -

Linda Shelton
Three Angel's Broadcasting Network
PO Box 220
West Frankfort, IL 62896

Dear Linda,


A committee representing the 3ABN board of directors has been selected and has met for the purpose of evaluating the present problem at 3ABN relating to your relationship to Danny and to the ministry of 3ABN - and seeking a resolution acceptable to all parties involved. This letter is intended to represent the will of the board.


Let me begin by expressing our gratitude to you for the part you have played at 3ABN for the past nearly twenty years. You have been an important part of the ministry from the beginning – a fact appreciated by us all. Accordingly, this letter is not written with the intent to destroy your home or your part in the ministry, but rather to rehabilitate and restore.


In accordance with this intent, we are offering the following proposal to you. We believe it has the potential of accomplishing the desired objectives, i.e., to save both your home and a place for you in this ministry. It would do so without making the details of this matter known to the full board or others.


Nor is this letter expressing an opinion regarding the nature of your relationship with Dr. Abrahamson. Whether or not this relationship has been immoral or not is not the issue of this document. The facts are that the relationship and your refusal to discontinue it in spite of repeated requests by Danny and our requests, has damaged both your family and 3ABN – a reality we must deal with in wisdom, love and compassion – but deal with, we must.


We are offering you a 30 day leave of absence with pay and full benefits - to begin at the time of receipt of this letter. During this time the following conditions must be met.


You will be relieved of all duties at 3ABN and will not appear at 3ABN other than to obtain items from your immediate office upon personal request from me. You will arrange to leave Southern Illinois at 3ABN expense for the duration. Both you and 3ABN need time to cool off.


You will agree in writing to cease all communication with Dr. Abrahamson, whether direct or indirect, whether by e-mail, telephone, letter or any other, or through Johann or any other third party. We are designating a period of 30 days, but with the intent this must be a life-long decision.


During this time you will not discuss the issues related to your relationship with 3ABN with anyone other than your immediate family, your professional counselors or representatives or members of the board of directors.


Since this time is recommended as a time for reflection and serious rehabilitation we are requesting that you arrange to receive professional help relating to the issues at hand. We are recommending Ron and Nancy Rocky to you. They have agreed to open their home to you and to give you personal help in dealing with the issues at the center of the present problems. It will be private and protected from the public eye such that neither your image nor reputation ought be damaged. Should you choose different professional help, it must be acceptable to this committee.


At the end of 30 days we will reassess the situation and make further recommendations as indicated.


The issues in this proposal are not negotiable. Should they be unacceptable to you – we hope sincerely they will be acceptable – we will proceed promptly with further investigation of the facts regarding the matter at hand. In that case we will need a list of witnesses you would like us to hear. We will offer Danny the same opportunity. Once we have had opportunity to hear the evidence, we will be in a better position to make recommendations to the full board based upon that evidence. Based on the facts we already know, however, we think pursuing such a course would make any future role for you at 3ABN unlikely.


That is why, Linda, we are pleading with you to accept this proposal for healing and restoration. This is God's ministry. He has chosen you to be a part of it. We want you to continue to be a part of it. But in order for that to happen really important things must change.


Sincerely,
Walter Thompson MD
Chairman of the Board of Directors, 3ABN Committee members include Nicholas P. Miller, Bill Hulsey and Kay Kuzma (by invitation)

Your signature here will confirm your agreement with this proposal. Please sign and return copy within 24 hours of receipt of this letter.