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.
U.S. District Court · Honolulu · August 13, 2026
She brought the case.
The jury said NO.
The jury said NO.
After a two-week federal trial, a unanimous jury found for the defendants. Here is the record of the day, and how the courtroom got there.
2 weeksFederal jury trial
UnanimousJury verdict
8Jurors, polled
New here? The full record, from her conviction to the jury verdict, is laid out step by step on one page.
Start hereWhat the courts found
Three federal court records, in order.
Criminal case · 1:19-cr-00105
Convicted of bankruptcy fraud
Charged in 2019, Liane Wilson, who operates as Liana Shanti, pleaded guilty to concealing bankruptcy assets and, in December 2021, was sentenced to five years of probation.
The conviction, in the court’s own words →May 2026 · Civil case
Defamation per se
A federal judge ruled that one of her statements about a defendant, that the defendant had abandoned her child, was defamation per se.
Read the ruling (ECF 92) →August 13, 2026 · Civil case
The jury said no
After a two-week trial, a unanimous jury rejected the case she brought and awarded the people she sued $40.1 million.
The verdict →Swipe for more →
“…the reason for the risk notification condition is because of the — my duty also to protect the public. And I have that concern when I have in front of me somebody with a fraud conviction and at least some allegations that she is defrauding people.”
“…she is conducting a business and getting money from people, a considerable amount, on the basis of what she’s telling them and what she’s selling them. So I have that concern.”
Sworn testimony
Two former members, eight years and three years inside her community, filed declarations under penalty of perjury in March 2026.
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“In her community, Ms. Wilson clearly positioned herself as the primary authority within the group and exercised control through narrative management, public and private shaming, and the promotion of fear or reputational harm toward individuals who questioned her or left the community.”
“I paid Liane Wilson a total of $111,110 (made in two payments, one in November 2023 and the second in February 2024) in connection with her high-ticket business mentorship in November, including a Fast Track consultation and annual mentorship program.”
“I witnessed instances in which students who had not previously identified themselves as abuse survivors began to report supposed memories of abuse only after participating in Ms. Wilson's community and teachings.”
The pattern
The same things appear again and again, in sworn declarations, in a signed statement to the court and in the letters families sent to the judge.
Cut off from family
Members were told the people closest to them were dangerous, and praised when they went no-contact.
“Based on my firsthand experience within Ms. Wilson's community, she repeatedly encouraged members to "disconnect" from people in their lives whom she characterized as being "tethered to darkness."”
More from the record
Abuse “memories” confirmed in psychic readings
Former members describe abuse accounts that first appeared inside the group, and were then “confirmed” by her.
“Ms. Wilson regularly conducted "psychic" question-and-answer sessions, both within closed community spaces and publicly on Instagram, during which she affirmed or confirmed abuse narratives for students.”
More from the record
- “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.” — J.S., former member · letter to the court · source
- “This is due to Liana Shanti acting as a supposed psychologist to dredge up "repressed" memories in our daughter.” — K. & M. L., grandparents · letter to the court · source
Pressure to leave Canada
Mothers were told Canada was “dark” and that time to leave was running out.
“Remaining in Canada was framed as choosing a life sentence of darkness, stagnation, or harm.”
More from the record
- “I observed her repeatedly state to the community that remaining in certain "dark" states or countries placed these women and their children in danger, which instilled fear and urgency among mothers in the community.” — A.K., 3-year former member · sworn · source
Control and money
She set herself up as the authority on every decision, and the costs kept rising.
“[S]he repeatedly framed herself as the necessary authority for decision-making and discouraged independent judgment, resulting in increased dependence rather than empowerment.”
More from the record
- “Pretty soon, all our decisions had to be confirmed by Liana Shanti because she was the ultimate authority.” — J.S., former member · letter to the court · source
- “Liana Shanti had created a radicalized echo chamber where her words became gospel.” — J.S., former member · letter to the court · source
- “I paid for one-on-one sessions 1-3 times per month for almost 2 years with Liana Shanti specifically to receive guidance on matters of personal and spiritual healing with specific focus on my personal relationships, childhood abuse, and healing.” — J.M., 8-year paying member · signed statement · source
Punished for leaving
People who questioned her or left were removed, then targeted in public.
“I directly observed that individuals who raised concerns, questioned Ms. Wilson's conduct, or attempted to complain were promptly removed from the community.”
More from the record
- “Her attacks include publicizing personal information, outright lies, heinous accusations and are also endangering the life of a dear friend and her child.” — J.M., 8-year paying member · signed statement · source
- “She has proven that nobody, not even peoples children are off limits.” — S.G., targeted online · letter to the court · source
- “Liane Wilson is an online con-artist and emotional terrorist who acts with premeditated malicious intent to harm others for her own gain.” — Father, Ontario · letter to the court · source
Her own words
Instagram story · filed as a court exhibit
“I have very strong reason to believe that some of you who are currently in court proceedings, as well as your children, are in immediate danger of kidnapping.”
“Do not tell ANYONE your whereabouts and instruct your children to do the same”
Liana Shanti, @lianashanti Instagram story, reproduced in US v. Wilson, 1:19-cr-00105 · Doc. 87, PageID.624–625 · More of her posts, documented →
Families
From the letters parents, spouses and grandparents sent to Judge Mollway in April 2023.
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“This is like mourning the death of a child that is not dead.”
“All I kept repeating in my mind was that these words were not his. This is not my son. This is not who I raised.”
“I have lost a year and a half with my children that we will never get back. There is a hole in me where my kids used to be.”
“We have lost a daughter because of Liana Shanti who advises her followers to cut off all contact with family and friends.”
“I have developed hypertension, atrial fibrillation and terrible anxiety because of the way Liana Wilson Shanti has destroyed my family and hijacked my daughter.”
“She is not a shaman. She is a charlatan.”
Expert assessment
Cult-recovery specialists who reviewed her programs.
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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.
Liana Shanti fits the definition of an authoritarian destructive cult.
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.
…she carelessly destroys family relationships for monetary gain under the guise of helping her clients.
Source documents
Every quote on this page comes from one of these.
- SwornECF 84-2 · Declaration of A.B.8-year former member · filed March 27, 2026 · civil case 1:25-cv-00297
- SwornECF 84-3 · Declaration of A.K.3-year former member · filed March 27, 2026 · civil case 1:25-cv-00297
- Court orderECF 92 · Order on summary judgmentMay 2026 · civil case 1:25-cv-00297
- Court recordJury verdictAugust 13, 2026 · civil case 1:25-cv-00297
- SignedDoc. 132 · J.M.’s Statement of Facts8-year paying member · filed April 18, 2024 · criminal case 1:19-cr-00105
- LettersDoc. 87 · Letters to Judge MollwayApril 2023 · criminal case 1:19-cr-00105
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.
If you or someone you love is involved, you are not alone. Former members and families have found their way out, and there is help.
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