Investigators from multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS, US Postal Service, and Labor Department, raided a California home associated with Pastor Robert Shinn, the figure behind a controversial talent agency linked to allegations of exploitation. The operation occurred in Tujunga, Los Angeles, where several individuals were taken into custody. While it remains unclear whether the 87-year-old Shinn was among those apprehended, the investigation centers on claims that his agency, 7M Films, misled aspiring dancers with promises of TikTok fame, exploiting their ambitions for financial and physical gain.
Shinn’s background reveals a complex history; he established the Shekinah Church in 1994, which initially served Korean Americans in Southern California. Recently, the church gained notoriety through its portrayal in Netflix’s documentary series “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.” In addition to his church, Shinn oversees several related enterprises, including Shinn Entertainment Corp. and Glory Bag Records. His influence extends deeply into the lives of young dancers, whom he allegedly manipulated into abandoning their families and engaging in exploitative labor practices. Reports indicate instances of sexual assault and coercion within the ranks of his purported ministry.
Federal warrants executed during the raid reflected serious allegations against Shinn and his organizations, including sex trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion, and fraud related to COVID-19 relief efforts. Former members of the Shekinah Church have revealed that they were pressured to recruit others for Shinn’s talent agency while adhering to a doctrine that encouraged sacrificing time and resources to fulfill the church’s mission of ‘saving souls.’ Shinn has denied any formal connection between the church and his talent agency, asserting that these allegations are unfounded.
Shinn, estimated to have a net worth of around $15 million, has a family history tied to his controversial status. His daughter, Kloë Shinn, gained her own fame as a singer-songwriter and notably defected from the church in 2022, alongside her husband Daniel Joseph. Kloë’s music has been featured in popular reality shows, and she has collaborated on projects associated with her father. This familial dynamic highlights the personal stakes involved in the allegations surrounding Shinn and his enterprises.
In 2022, several former dancers and ex-members of Shekinah Church took legal action against Shinn, citing exploitation and multiple violations of labor laws. This case is ongoing and reflects broader concerns about the treatment and rights of individuals within organizations resembling cults. Previous lawsuits against Shinn, including one from Lydia Chung in 2009, emphasized accusations of coercive control; Chung alleged that she was manipulated into relinquishing $3.8 million in assets. Although this case did not deliver a favorable outcome for her, another suit in 2011 by Jung Hee Lee resulted in a ruling that favored the former church member, highlighting Shinn’s troublesome legal history.
Curiously, Shinn has retaliated against allegations by filing a defamation suit against former members who labeled his organization as a cult. This defensive posture raises questions about the inner workings of his various enterprises and the psychological grip he may have maintained over his followers. The broad spectrum of allegations—from financial exploitation to physical abuse—paints a troubling picture of Shinn’s influence in the realm of aspiring performers and religious followers alike. The ongoing federal investigation underscores the urgency of addressing such claims, with broader implications for both the entertainment industry and vulnerable communities often targeted by manipulative figures.
