Date: 7 Feb 1999.
Location: BUSM Singapore
Table of Contents
(A) Do we have Neanderthal genes?
Xian Sheng mentioned the discovery of a Neanderthal fossil, noting it was estimated to be several million years old — though he could not recall the precise age reported in the documentary.
He approached this from the perspective of DNA: when researchers first encountered the Neanderthal fossil, they thought it was the remains of an individual who had died recently — but it turned out the individual had died a very long time ago.
The individual was found in a glacier, which had helped preserve the remains; when the glacier melted and fractured, the body was dislodged and fell onto the surface below — leading to its discovery.
From the individual’s DNA, researchers attempted to identify living relatives. They were successful: over a hundred volunteers came forward to the university. After testing their DNA, the team traced a direct genetic link to one person — a descendant residing in the UK.
This means the person shares the same direct genetic lineage as the ancient individual. His ancestral line was traced back approximately 3.5 million years — the oldest documented genealogical root for any living person — and he immediately gained celebrity status.
Xian Sheng recalled having watched the documentary on either the National Geographic or the Discovery Channel.
Xian Sheng said that in the past, he would watch either CNN, Bloomberg, or CNBC every morning after waking up. After work, he would stay up late to watch either National Geographic or Discovery — there were so many documentaries to catch up on. That was where he encountered all these fascinating stories.
Today, he is the first person able to trace his ancestry back several million years. He became an instant celebrity — people would take videos of him while explaining his lineage. They asked how he felt to be the only person in the world able to identify the oldest documented genealogical root for any living person.
Unfortunately, Xian Sheng said he did not pay attention to the name of the person. He was more interested in the fact that this person had succeeded in tracing his ancestry back to such an ancient source.
(B) Will Baitiangong followers wrongfully accuse others?
Xian Sheng spoke about the wrongful imprisonment of an innocent man, Anthony Porter, who spent sixteen years in jail. He was unsure whether he had read the report that morning or the previous morning — he woke at 6:00 am to pray, then sat down to read the newspaper, where he came across the story.
He was released immediately. A follower confirmed that the newspaper was that day’s edition. The incident occurred in the US.
Xian Sheng explained the Medill Justice Project at Northwestern University — a programme that conducts investigative journalism into post-conviction cases, particularly those involving potential wrongful convictions.
Porter had spent sixteen years on death row in Illinois for the 1982 murders of two teenagers, Marilyn Green and Jerry Hillard. In 1998, he came within 48 hours of execution by lethal injection, according to the newspaper. Fortunately, he was not executed.
This outcome was due to the efforts of Professor David Protess, who led a group of journalism students in reinvestigating the case. They gathered evidence that led to his exoneration.
He was wrongfully imprisoned for sixteen years. What could be done in such a case? According to reports, the police had coerced him into confessing and pressured him to take the blame.
Xian Sheng said he does not understand such human behaviour. The officer involved is a professing Christian. He then asked whether our Baitiangong followers would ever act in a similar manner — and sincerely hoped they would not, for it is morally wrong.
A person who professes any religion — whether Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, or another faith — must never act in such a way as to wrongfully imprison an innocent person on death row for sixteen years, leaving them to await execution.
Fortunately, he was not executed — otherwise, he would have died an innocent man. Thanks to Professor Protess’s efforts in reopening and re-examining the case, the court granted his immediate release.
Xian Sheng asked how many followers had read about the case. Four raised their hands. He said it is very important to read the newspaper, and urged those who had not yet done so to go home and look up this news.
It is fortunate that people like Professor David Protess exist in the university’s journalism department — individuals who take a genuine interest in investigating such cases. He asked for the name of the university, and a follower mistakenly replied that it was Yale University.
(C) Some details regarding Anthony Porter’s case.
Xian Sheng read in the newspaper that the wrongfully accused man was Anthony Porter, aged 42. He mentally calculated that, having spent 16 years in prison, Porter must have been arrested at the age of 26 — and reiterated this point for emphasis.1
Northwestern University — where Professor David Protess re-examined criminal cases — is located in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb immediately north of Chicago.
The man who later confessed to the murders, Alstory Simon, was living in Milwaukee in 1999 when Professor David Protess and investigators and students from the Medill Innocence Project located him. Their work led to evidence that Anthony Porter did not commit the murders.
(D) Do not keep silent when it comes to your rights.
Xian Sheng finds it troubling — and deeply perplexing — that Dr Munawar and Sukma Darmawan could be coerced into confessing to sodomy.
Thinking about their case gave Xian Sheng endless headaches, as it also reminded him of his own court case. He could not understand why Sukma and Munawar would plead guilty to the sodomy charges.
They stated the police coerced them into confessing to sodomy. Yet today they declared they were never sodomised by Anwar. A doctor even came forward to swear in court that they had never been sodomised by anyone before.
Xian Sheng questioned how a doctor could possibly determine whether someone had been sodomised. When someone suggested that physical examination might reveal evidence, he pressed further: could such an examination remain reliable after so much time had passed?
The central question remained: Were they sodomised — or not? Why would the police have pressured them into confessing — leading to a six-month prison sentence on that very basis — and then, upon release, have them vehemently deny it had ever happened?
Firstly, Xian Sheng would like to ask them: Why did they allow themselves to be coerced by the police? After all, the charge was sodomy — something they could have kept denying. Yet they first confessed — and later retracted. To Xian Sheng, this reversal is deeply troubling.
According to Brother Chew Pit King, a Singapore newspaper reported that both men were reportedly denied access to the lawyers they had appointed. Instead, they were represented in court by lawyers said to have been assigned to them by the authorities — and it was these lawyers who entered “Guilty” pleas on behalf of Sukma and Munawar. Xian Sheng explained this to the rest of the followers in Cantonese.
Why would the court act in this manner? There was considerable confusion surrounding this case. Even the judicial handling of the Anwar cases is regarded as confusing.
Xian Sheng would like to address the core of the issue — the basic tenets. Concerning all the people involved in this case — from those in the courtroom to the police and everyone else connected to it — he wishes to know: Do they pray to the CREATOR? This, he says, is the root of the problem: whether or not they pray to the CREATOR.
If a person prays to the CREATOR, they should pray until they fear nothing except the CREATOR — and they should think good, see good, hear good, speak good, and do good.
Since most of those involved are Muslims, how sincerely — or to what extent — do they pray to the CREATOR?
If we examine Syariah law, a conviction for sodomy or rape under Islamic jurisprudence requires exceptionally stringent conditions: the accuser must produce four credible, upright Muslim male witnesses who directly observed the specific act of penetration. Without this, the case would not be upheld in Syariah courts.
Xian Sheng’s point of view differs from others. He does not care who was involved. The important point is whether these people truly pray to the CREATOR.
A person who prays to the CREATOR would not allow such things to happen in the first place. A person who prays to the CREATOR has no such excuses.
Although the reason given — that court-assigned lawyers entered guilty pleas on behalf of both men — may be valid, Xian Sheng stated that whenever the two men appeared in court, they ought to have kept shouting to make their innocence known to the judge, rather than remaining silent and allowing the court-assigned lawyers to plead guilty for them.
(E) Dying for the right cause is not an issue for Baitiangong.
Xian Sheng acknowledged that the followers of Baitiangong have faults and are in the wrong at times.
Xian Sheng himself was implicated in wrongdoing in the past.
However, if we did not commit them, we must never admit to guilt.
Xian Sheng asked the followers whether they knew that he had been held for questioning over three accusations:
Cheating RM300,000 from followers.
Controlling women to carry out his bidding — though he admitted he was uncertain how he could do it.
Instigating followers to intimidate and assault former followers who had rejected Baitiangong.
Xian Sheng said he believed the brothers and sisters in Singapore were well aware that he had consistently stated: if anyone chose not to pray to the CREATOR, he would thank them. He put the question to them — and they affirmed it.
Based on these principles, how could he possibly beat someone who chose to leave Baitiangong? The authorities are attempting to compel Xian Sheng to admit to wrongdoings that he clearly would never commit.
Throughout the inquiry, he repeatedly stated that he had not committed any of the acts he was accused of. Standing before the Chairman of the inquiry, he pointed his finger toward the assembled police officers and said: “Take heed, all of you — you will die one day, and after death, you will regret what you have done.” Then, turning to the Chairman, he added: “And you, Chairman — you, too, must take heed. You, too, will die one day.”
He told the Chairman to look closely at him and asked, “Do I appear to be the sort of person who would control these women, instruct followers to assault those who cease praying, or defraud them of RM300,000?” He then asked the Chairman, “Where is that RM300,000 now?”
He then snapped his briefcase shut, strode toward the door, slammed it open with his briefcase, and walked out of the judge’s chambers.
Xian Sheng’s lawyer rushed to his side and implored him to apologise to the Chairman. Xian Sheng shot back, “Why should I apologise to him?” The lawyer warned: “Your life rests in the Chairman’s hands.” Xian Sheng laughed aloud — “My life in the Chairman’s hands?” adding, “That is a hilarious statement.”
The Chairman’s name is Zaki bin Tun Mohamed Azmi. Xian Sheng made clear that he was utterly indifferent to who he was and rebuked him directly. Xian Sheng also warned the Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tun Dato’ Seri Mohamed Eusoff Chin to take heed, for he would come to know the truth after he passed away.
Xian Sheng warned Eusoff Chin that Zaki Azmi was a pathological liar. And now, Zaki Azmi has become a judge — a pathological liar elevated to the bench. Xian Sheng reiterated that he had told Eusoff Chin, “You will know that Zaki Azmi is a pathological liar when you have passed away.” He assured the brothers and sisters in Singapore that what he had recounted was a true account.
Xian Sheng felt a powerful impulse to slap Zaki Azmi — so he quickly walked out. Had he done so, he could not imagine what might have ensued. Yet at worst, he reckoned, it would have led only to imprisonment.
Zaki Azmi complained to Eusoff Chin that he was displeased that Xian Sheng left the Judge’s chambers. He added: “Had Zaki Azmi dared to stop me — I would have struck him aside, and he would have been sent flying.”
The entire commotion took place inside the Judge’s Chamber. Those outside — including Brother KC Wong — could clearly hear Xian Sheng shouting at Zaki Azmi, and all lawyers were stunned.
Returning to Anwar’s sodomy case, Xian Sheng said he did not understand why Sukma and Munawar did not shout while they were in court — yet, as soon as they stepped outside, they cried out to the gathered press that they had been forced to confess. He questioned why they failed to shout when inside the courtroom.
What is there for a person who prays to the CREATOR to fear? At worst, the police may shoot them dead — and even that is nothing.
(F) The Malay gang leaders are friends of Xian Sheng.
Last Monday, Xian Sheng received an invitation from a Malay Dato’ to attend a wedding function at his residence. Xian Sheng arranged for two Malay friends — Dr Zainal and Muhammad Nor — to accompany him. Brother Ah Kian drove the car, with Brother Onn Soon seated on the passenger seat.
They were driving very slowly and stopped when the car ahead came to a halt. A motorcycle, ridden by a Malay student, collided with them from behind. Brother Ah Kian was speaking to the student, but by the time Xian Sheng alighted, the student had already left the scene.
One day, a Malay man phoned Xian Sheng at his home and asked if he was Mr Chew. Xian Sheng was surprised that the Malay man had obtained his private home number. Xian Sheng acknowledged that he was and asked the reason for the call.
He reminded Xian Sheng of the accident in which a Malay student had collided with his car. Xian Sheng immediately asked whose fault it was. The Malay man insisted on speaking first, and Xian Sheng allowed him to proceed.
The Malay man told Xian Sheng he was attempting to resolve the matter amicably. He added that the student belonged to a gang. Xian Sheng was amused to hear that the Malay student had a gang backing him. Xian Sheng allowed him to continue and finally asked whether he had concluded his argument.
When it was Xian Sheng’s turn to speak, he asked the man, “When will your gang come to chop me to death?” He added that he had long wished to die — and was eagerly awaiting someone to chop him to death. The followers laughed upon hearing this.
Xian Sheng then asked the Malay man whether he believed his intimidation would cause Xian Sheng to tremble with fear. He went on to say that he had formerly served as an army reservist and had handled all manner of firearms. Finally, he asked the man what he imagined his intimidation could possibly achieve against him.
Xian Sheng asked what he was attempting to achieve — and whether he even knew who was at fault. The Malay man replied that his driver, Brother Ah Kian, had given the student RM5. It appeared that Brother Ah Kian had handed the student RM5 to cover medical expenses — thereby implying that Xian Sheng was at fault. Xian Sheng countered that no medical expenses were necessary, as the student had sustained no injury. When a follower remarked that the student had suffered a head-on collision, Xian Sheng retorted that it was nothing more than a gentle bump to his rear bumper.
When the Malay man repeated his gang threat, Xian Sheng asked him whether he knew that Taman Melawati also had its own gangs. He told the Malay man to seek out Pak Yusof and inquire who Chew was there, adding, “After all, you were so adept at locating my home telephone number.”
Xian Sheng then gave the Malay man another name — Shamsuddin, who is also another gang leader at Taman Melawati — and told him to seek him out as well, to inquire who Chew was there.
Xian Sheng finally asked the Malay man for his name, and when he intended to visit, together with the student. The Malay man obviously sounded shaken by Xian Sheng’s response, and promptly shifted his stance, denying that he had ever sought to threaten or intimidate.
The Malay man adopted a conciliatory tone, explaining that he was merely acting as a mediator between Xian Sheng and the student, and wished to arrange a meeting so that Xian Sheng might offer the student some compensation for medical expenses. Xian Sheng replied that if this was a demand for money, he would never yield to it — but if it were a request, he could consider it, and would send his driver to speak with them. Xian Sheng said he would leave it to his driver to decide whether to offer compensation, for Xian Sheng would not compel his driver to do anything against his will.
Xian Sheng told the man that he was always available. If the Malay man was capable of contacting him, then he ought also to be capable of coming forward to meet Xian Sheng in person. He ended the conversation by saying he would await the man’s call to arrange a face-to-face meeting.
Ever since that day, not a single phone call arrived — right up until Xian Sheng departed for Singapore.
Xian Sheng clarified the events surrounding the accident for the followers once more.
Xian Sheng explained that some — indeed, most — people who do not pray to the CREATOR would likely agree to pay compensation under such circumstances. When a follower raised the question of who was at fault, Xian Sheng replied that this was not a matter of right or wrong, but one of fear.
(G) Realisation of Self
Xian Sheng reminded the followers that we pray to the CREATOR — or, for Chinese followers, to TIAN GONG. In all dealings — regardless of skin colour, be it Malay, Caucasian, or Indian — we rely on facts and sound reasoning. We must understand and uphold this stance because we pray to the CREATOR.
Xian Sheng then asked the followers which Baitiangong principles apply to the lesson above. He acknowledged that the first principle is rooted in the Second Spiritual Guideline: Fear Nothing except the CREATOR.
The second principle pertains to Realisation of Self from the Five Realisations teaching — the second in sequence, following Realisation of Consciousness.
This lesson, therefore, compels us to examine ourselves: as a Baitiangong follower, do we truly embody the Second Spiritual Guideline — fear nothing, not even death?
(H) No one alive could ever intimidate Xian Sheng.
Xian Sheng’s immediate reply to the Malay man—who had attempted to threaten him—was: “I, too, have longed for death and wished to see who would dare chop me to death. How many gang members do you have, and when can they arrive?” That was Xian Sheng’s first response to the threat.
Xian Sheng questioned what gang a student could possibly belong to while still studying in school. (The Malay man had clearly attempted to intimidate Xian Sheng by claiming the student was affiliated with a gang that would threaten him with bodily harm.)
Xian Sheng noted that he had earlier omitted mentioning the Malay man’s claim to be a supporter of Anwar. He clarified that the voice on the phone belonged to an adult Malay man, not the student.
Xian Sheng told the Malay man to ask Anwar’s wife, Wan Azizah, who Chew Choon Ming was, explaining that since Anwar was in prison, the Malay man could not ask him directly and therefore should ask his wife instead.
Xian Sheng added that when he knew Anwar, the Malay man was nowhere to be found. Was the Malay man implying that Anwar’s supporters endorse student gangsters?
That Malay man was clearly delusional, believing he could intimidate Xian Sheng with such tactics. Xian Sheng reiterated that it was absurd for him to make the call. After all, even the government had failed to intimidate Xian Sheng.
(I) Nature turns against the police.
The Malay man can wait indefinitely — if he believes he can intimidate Xian Sheng, he is mistaken; even the government could not do so.
Xian Sheng recalled the incident in which he swung his elbow at Datuk Kudus (likely referring to Datuk Abdul Kudus Alias who held the rank of Commissioner of Police (CP) and serving as Director of Internal Security and Public Order in Bukit Aman) who interrupted him while he was praying, though, unfortunately, the blow did not land; had it done so, Datuk Kudus might well have been sent flying.
The incident occurred at the Salak South meditation ground, where Datuk Kudus attempted to pull Xian Sheng upright while he was praying.
The commotion caused a group of followers to rush to Xian Sheng’s side. The FRU immediately surrounded the meditation ground, while some officers advanced inside. In response, Xian Sheng raised his fist toward them.
Xian Sheng was deeply dissatisfied with their rudeness in attempting to pull him upright while he was in prayer. They could simply have waited until he had finished praying and risen of his own accord before questioning him. The police conduct was wholly unreasonable.
Xian Sheng stated that because the police attempted to frame and persecute him, they now find themselves in a disgraceful state. Having moved against him first, the police have now lost the public’s trust. Xian Sheng reiterated that the police’s current standing is in shambles.
(J) Baitiangong people must be courteous and courageous.
Xian Sheng stressed that self-realisation is essential. He explained that human beings must conduct themselves with courtesy.
We must be courteous, but not to the extent of being bullied. We must possess courtesy coupled with courage as part of self-realisation.
Today, while Xian Sheng was chatting with some brothers and sisters outside, Brother Tan told him that he and Brother Raymond had invested RM20,000 in a business venture but had yet to receive a single cent in return.
Xian Sheng recalled that Mr Koh’s restaurant had been rented out to another party, with the top floor converted into a karaoke venue. He asked Brother Tan An Bin to confirm this, as he worked as the manager at Gaia Restaurant, located near Mr Koh’s shoplot.
Xian Sheng asked Brother Tan An Bin whether Mr Koh would be able to repay the money owed to Brother Tan and Brother Raymond after renting out his shop lot. Brother Tan An Bin replied that it was certainly possible — if Mr Koh chose to do so. He explained that, according to another investor who was on friendly terms with him, the latter had initially invested over RM70,000, and was supposed to receive RM7,000 in returns, but this was later reduced to RM3,000.
Xian Sheng said that since Mr Koh had taken in over RM70,000 yet remained unable to repay their investment, he concluded that Mr Koh had no intention of ever doing so. Mr Koh was unafraid of the consequences — precisely because, in his view, they could not take any action against him.
Xian Sheng instructed Brother Raymond to lodge a police report at the Singapore police station. Although a sister remarked that there was no paperwork as clear evidence, Xian Sheng insisted they proceed with the report first.
He told them he disliked the situation, as it revealed a complete lack of self-realisation.
Brother Chew Pit King explained that, in cases of alleged cheating, the police will invariably ask for the location where the monetary transaction occurred and direct the complainant to file the report at the nearest police station.
Xian Sheng asked the two brothers where the transaction had taken place. They replied that it was in Kuala Lumpur. He instructed them to lodge reports both in Singapore and in Kuala Lumpur.
There are many issues Xian Sheng can tolerate, but this situation angered him so deeply that he lost his appetite at lunch. What particularly aggrieved him was Brother Tan slapping his hands in frustration over the financial loss, while Mr Koh, having rented out every floor of his shop lot, still refused to repay them.
Brother Raymond explained that Mr Koh had promised to repay their investment once he had the funds. Xian Sheng countered that Mr Koh had already received over RM70,000.
Brother Chang Yoong Wah said they are using the premises as a karaoke centre and brothel. Brother Tan An Binn confirmed that there are over 20 Indonesian women working there. He added that it worked out pretty well—Xian Sheng interrupted Brother Tan An Bin over his comment that their business worked out pretty well—and told Brother Tan An Bin to work there starting tomorrow. Brother Tan An Bin immediately finished his sentence, stating it worked out pretty well because they frequented Gaia for meals. Xian Sheng was still unhappy with how Brother Tan An Bin seemed to endorse the brothel and told him to quit Gaia and go manage their prostitutes, and to leave the Baitiangong Universal Spiritual Movement.
Xian Sheng said that while prostitution is wrong, he was not concerned about that. His concern was that within the Baitiangong Universal Spiritual Movement, the followers did not know how to take action against someone like Mr Koh, who owed them money. Brother Tan complained throughout their lunch and for much of the journey back to Singapore Holy Hall, which gave him a headache. Xian Sheng reiterated whether they had the courage to deal with the problem rather than only complaining about it. He said they should gather at his house and loudly demand the return of their money.
Although it is clear that they are running a brothel—as the women are obviously prostitutes and are disguising the operation as a karaoke lounge—the Malaysian authorities, namely the police and the local council, appear to support such people. Xian Sheng knows this because, when we previously applied for a karaoke licence, the local council stated that no new karaoke licences would be approved. Yet, these people are currently operating a karaoke lounge there. Xian Sheng is unsure whether they have obtained a licence from the local council, but it is evident that there is a karaoke operating as a front for a prostitution den. Nevertheless, the corruption of the government is also not what concerns him.
(K) Can we accept prostitutes or sex workers into Baitiangong?
Xian Sheng stated that regardless of whether an individual operates a brothel or works as a prostitute, he is able to accept them into Baitiangong.
The reasoning Xian Sheng provided, citing an earlier case, was that he welcomed a woman into Baitiangong because she had ceased working as a prostitute after finding a man to provide for her.
After the man abandoned her, she apologised to Xian Sheng and informed him that she had to return to prostitution to earn a living.
Xian Sheng advised her that returning to prostitution was unnecessary since alternative employment could always be found. He even offered her a position as a housemaid. However, she replied that she was unable to perform manual labour, as she had become accustomed to her former lifestyle.
When Xian Sheng perceived that her mind was made up, he told her that the choice was her own responsibility. However, he warned that upon her death, her soul would go to a plane where she would be forced to serve as a prostitute without end. Whatever Xian Sheng said, it shall come to pass.
From that point on, she stopped praying to the CREATOR. When a sister remarked that the woman perhaps failed to grasp the gravity of Xian Sheng’s words, Xian Sheng retorted that she understood his meaning perfectly. He had explicitly stated to her that, following her death, she would have no further need for trousers, as her legs would be perpetually spread open.
(L) The suffering of a prostitute in hell is horrific.
Xian Sheng inquired if the followers were familiar with an obscure folklore concerning “吕洞宾“. According to the folklore, nuns would bind their feet to prevent a phallic object from entering their private parts during the night. This object was purportedly the penis of “吕洞宾“, which would detach itself and roam while he slept. He noted that this was an ancient tale from folklore.
As the followers seemed unfamiliar with the story, Xian Sheng confirmed that he had personally heard of this folklore in the past.
Returning to a serious tone, Xian Sheng explained that although a woman might gain material benefits from being a prostitute during her lifetime, upon her death, her punishment would involve her legs being forced wide apart while a long phallic object penetrates her incessantly. Despite the resulting bleeding and the tearing, the thrusting action would never cease. Xian Sheng then asked the followers how they would describe the pain.
He stated that he had witnessed this personally and asked the followers if they recalled his previous account of touring Hell. There, he saw a woman with her legs forced wide apart as a long phallic object, detached from any body, penetrated her private parts continuously. She remained immobilised, able only to cry out in extreme agony. Despite the bleeding and the tearing of her flesh, the thrusting motion was relentless.
Xian Sheng called upon the female followers to describe the agony that the woman experienced. He emphasised the point regarding the eternal suffering a prostitute would endure in hell as a consequence of choosing an easy life in this world.
He reiterated that he had personally witnessed such torture during his tour of hell. He recalled that he had previously shared with the followers the account of his journey through hell. He repeated that the woman was wearing no trousers, while the long object thrust in and out of her incessantly as she screamed without pause.
Xian Sheng sought their perspectives on the agony an individual would be forced to undergo in hell. It is for this reason that he rejects prostitution in every form.
He said that if anyone were to suggest using prostitution to expand his business, he would reject their proposal. He explained that it would be simple to increase the revenue of his pub business, known as Gaia at Alam Jaya, if he chose to convert the three upper storeys into short-stay hotels for sex work and hire women to accompany the customers. Customers would go up to the rooms above if they were attracted to the women and then return to continue their drinks afterwards.
- The newspaper was misinformed. In reality, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, Porter was 44 years old when exonerated in 1999 — having been imprisoned in 1983 at the age of 27, and spending 17 years on death row. He was officially pardoned by Illinois Governor George H. Ryan on the grounds of innocence and in 2000, received compensation of $145,875.29 from the Illinois Court of Claims. Porter passed away in July 2021 at the age of 66.