Liana Shanti Watch: An Investigative Record
An independent investigative record documenting the activities of Liane Wilson, who operates as Liana Shanti — a convicted felon who markets herself as a psychic, spiritual teacher, and nutritionist. This site compiles court records, expert testimony, survivor accounts, and media reporting.
The jury said NO.
Court Record — U.S. District Court, Hawaii — April 2023
“In light of the allegations before the Court and the Defendant’s history of committing fraud, the Government recommends that the Defendant be required to notify others that visit social media accounts or websites she controls of her true identity and criminal history.”
— Judge Oki Mollway · Case No. 1:19-cr-00105-SOM-1
Civil Docket
- Entry #281 in Life Mastery Network LLC v. Haygarth, 1:25-cv-00297by Free Law Project on October 12, 2026 at 7:00 am
MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 278 MOTION Counterclaimants' Motion for Equitable Relief Regarding Defamatory Statements […]
Criminal Docket
- Entry #146 in United States v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105by Free Law Project on June 20, 2025 at 7:00 am
Order on Motion for Early Termination of Probation
Who Is Liana Shanti?
Liane Wilson operates as Liana Shanti, marketing herself as a psychic, spiritual teacher, mentor, and certified nutritionist based in Princeville, Hawaii. In 2019 she was charged with federal bankruptcy fraud and subsequently convicted.
Cult-recovery experts and former followers have described coercive-control tactics, financial harm, and psychological harm within her programs. This site is a reference resource for those investigating or recovering from her influence.
Key Facts
- Legal name: Liane Wilson
- Federal conviction: Bankruptcy fraud
- Case: 1:19-cr-00105-SOM-1
- Court: U.S. District Court, Hawaii
- Programs: Spiritual coaching, nutrition, retreats
Expert Assessment
It’s got all the hallmarks of a cult group, in my opinion. You’ve got this one person who is the end-all-be-all, who offers this all-inclusive belief system where the ends justify the means.
Dr. Janja Lalich, Ph.D.
Lalich Center for Cults and Coercion · The Daily Beast, March 2023
Liana Shanti fits the definition of an authoritarian destructive cult.
Steve Hassan, Ph.D.
BITE Model for Authoritarian Control · The Daily Beast, March 2023
In my opinion, the woman behind the Liana Shanti alias is ruthlessly operating an influence game taking advantage of vulnerable people online, not unlike hundreds of other dangerous and deceptive cults I have encountered in the past five decades.
Joseph Szimhart, cult intervention consultant
US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, PageID.634 · Source letter (PDF)
…she carelessly destroys family relationships for monetary gain under the guise of helping her clients.
Joseph Szimhart, cult intervention consultant
US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, PageID.634 · Source letter (PDF)
Documented Pattern: Federal Court Filings
Two filings in United States v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105-SOM, document a recurring pattern.
Doc. 87 (April 20, 2023) — Probation review. Twenty-three family impact statements filed in consolidated form. At least three describe the same fact pattern: Canadian mothers, all paying students of Liana Shanti, taking children across the U.S. border without joint-custodian consent in December 2021, consistently fleeing to Florida — which one letter cites Liana describing as a “safe state.” Cases referenced include Hague Convention child abduction proceedings and required international legal action to secure children’s return to Canada. Docket entry #87 on CourtListener
Doc. 132 (April 18, 2024) — Post-probation-review. A former eight-year paying member submits a sworn Statement of Facts to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Probation Office, alleging that Liana Shanti committed perjury during her own probation-review proceedings — testifying under oath that she had “no paid groups” and that “ZERO PEOPLE HAVE PRIVATE ACCESS TO ME,” while receipts attached as evidence show $69/month subscription billing through 2024 and documentation of years of private one-on-one sessions. The filing also alleges ongoing violations of probation terms. View Doc. 132 (PDF) · Docket entry #132 on CourtListener.
Linked source documents: Doc. 84-2 (A.B., 8-year former member) · Doc. 84-3 (A.K., 3-year former member)
Survivor Testimony
She puts so much fear into everyone in the community saying she’s the only way out and if you don’t follow her guidance your soul is basically doomed.
Former follower (J.M.)
She would “confirm” memories of sexual abuse and trauma her followers believed to experience as children. These “memories” would surface during the meditation segments in Liana Shanti’s programs.
The Daily Beast
Lemurian Sisterhood investigation, April 25, 2023
This is like mourning the death of a child that is not dead.
A. & J. F., parents
US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, PageID.541 · Source letter (PDF)
Liane Shanti is some sort of a guru, who manipulates and brainwashes people in their weakest times.
N. A., mother of E.P., Belgium
US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, PageID.631 · Source letter (PDF)
I have developed hypertension, atrial fibrillation and terrible anxiety because of the way Liana Wilson Shanti has destroyed my family and hijacked my daughter.
G. D.L., retired nurse, grandmother of four
US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, PageID.633 · Source letter (PDF)
I have come to learn that the way my daughter was extracted from our relationship was a very classic example of cult leader isolation tactics that have been used for many decades by many leaders to separate people from their money.
W. P., mother
US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, PageID.636 · Source letter (PDF)
Liane Wilson had first-hand knowledge of the abductions.
Father (sworn statement)
US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, Letter 9, PageID.608 · Source letter (PDF)
I am personally aware of no fewer than six women who relocated themselves and their families from Canada to the United States.
A.B., 8-year former member
Life Mastery Network LLC v Haygarth, 1:25-cv-00297 · Doc. 84-2 ¶34
She told me that I was also abused by other family members when I had no independent memory of such.
A.K., 3-year former member
Life Mastery Network LLC v Haygarth, 1:25-cv-00297 · Doc. 84-3 ¶7
Featured Media
Watch the full Sensibly Speaking Podcast with Chris Shelton (M.A., Coercive Control) and Cult Vault Host Kasey — a two-hour investigation deconstructing every aspect of the Liane Wilson / Liana Shanti enterprise. Watch now →
April 25, 2023 · The Daily Beast: "Federal Judge Grills Liana Shanti in Court" — Jennings Brown
Latest Updates
- THE INSTASCAMMER: The Cult Vault’s 11-Part Series on Liana ShantiThe Cult Vault’s eleven-part audio documentary on Liana Shanti, released 31 August 2026 — where to listen and the full episode list.
- Jury Rejects Liana Shanti’s Defamation Claims, Awards $40.1 Million on CounterclaimsOn 13 August 2026 a federal jury in Honolulu rejected every claim Liane Wilson (Liana Shanti) brought and found for all three counterclaimants, with awards totalling $40.1 million.
- July 10 Ruling: Court Excludes Liana Shanti’s Death-Threat and Stalking EvidenceOn 10 July 2026 the court excluded Liane Wilson’s death-threat evidence as a sanction for failing to preserve it, and excluded her stalking allegations without opposition.