I have known about Helbrans for years, been following the case closely and know a number of people who lived in Monsey when Helbrans lived there. I also know Canadians who know people who were attracted to him more recently. They all say that he is a VERY troubling person who does VERY troubling things. He does marry off 14 year old girls. He does attracted people who might not be emotionally balanced. The people who left have VERY negative things to say about Helbrans and his ways.
I don’t know if every claim the Fifth Estate (Canadain TV) made is true but the gist of what I have heard from people who knows his “followers” is consistent with the negative coverage.
I want to point out the early on in the Ami article they write that the only thing that Lev Tahor has been accused of is being a cult. They tuck in that comment that it is something all frum people could be accused of. Two points.
1) He has been accused of A LOT more than that.
2) If Ami does not understand why frum people in general are not a cult we have think long and hard about why we read their paper. (and BTW Ami is the one who think the “burka women” are a cult).