One of the most well-known instances of a fraudulent Order that caused significant damage to the reputation of the legitimate Russian Sovereign Order of St. John was the creation of the "Ordre Souverain de Saint Jean de Jèrusalem Chevaliers de Malte" by Mr Louis Scerri Montaldo. At the time, Mr Montaldo held the position of Grand Prior of Malta within the real Russian Order of St John. However, in 1994, he was expelled from the said Order due to his misconduct, which included acts of fraud and embezzlement. Specifically, Scerri Montaldo had engaged in the misappropriation of passage fees and funds, especially from unofficial investiture ceremonies that he had personally organized in Malta without obtaining the necessary authorization from the Order or informing his superiors. It was estimated that his fraudulent activities resulted in money amounting to thousands being stolen from the Order. In short, he stole funds intended to assist the sick and the poor.

Following his expulsion, Montaldo managed to deceive some knights who were unaware of his past actions, and he established his own fake Order. His primary motivation was to enrich himself financially. In an attempt to lend credibility to his newly-formed group, Montaldo at first falsely claimed that Enrico Costantino III de Vigo Aleramico Lascaris was the Grand Master of his fabricated Order. According to information available on Wikipedia, de Vigo Aleramico Lascaris was an Italian individual known for his eccentricity, pretentiousness, and fraudulent behaviour. He seemed to have a criminal background, having been convicted of various offenses such as theft, fraud, slander, and non-payment of child support. In an effort to elevate his status, de Vigo Aleramico Lascaris created a fictitious genealogy that connected him to the Byzantine emperors of the Palaiologos dynasty. He further embellished his claimed lineage by asserting descent from the kings of Serbia, the kings of Jerusalem, the kings of the Two Sicilies, and even the Roman emperor Nero (AD. 54–68). Later in life, he established his own fake Order, the Order of the Cross of Constantinople. A German court eventually found him guilty of selling counterfeit knighthoods and declared him a forger.

It is important to note that Mr de Vigo Aleramico Lascaris never had any involvement or affiliation with the genuine Russian Sovereign Order of St. John. There are no existing documents, records, or photographs confirming his membership in either the authentic Order or the fabricated Scerri Montaldo group. It is likely that he was completely unaware of his alleged appointment as Grand Master and/or he may have been deceived by Scerri Montaldo himself.

Montaldo's attempts to gain credibility for his fake Order ultimately failed. In a desperate move to legitimize his group, he travelled to Sicily and approached Roberto Paterno, the former Grand Master of the authentic Russian Order of St. John. Paterno, resigned from his position and left the Order in December 1992, he was well aware of Scerri Montaldo's dishonest actions and distanced himself from him. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said his son, Thorbjon Paterno, who was enticed by the allure of grandeur and easy money. Unlike his father, Thorbjon Paterno was not a knight or a member of the genuine Order. His first encounter with the world of knighthood and Orders came through his association with the Scerri Montaldo group. He quickly realized that he could easily profit by serving as Montaldo's Royal Protector and by selling knighthoods and noble titles to the group members.

Montaldo and Thorbjon Paterno initially joined forces and worked together for a short period of time. They were able to collaborate effectively, sharing ideas and strategies to pursue their mutual objectives. However, they became greedy and as they began to generate revenue from their ventures, disagreements arose between them, leading to a major rift in their relationship. The dispute over revenue distribution escalated to such an extent that both Montaldo and Thorbjon Paterno were compelled to sever ties with one another.

In 2001 in an effort to mend the broken relationship between the two factions, they sought the help of the Don Roberto Paterno (Thorbjorn’s father) and convinced him to act as Grand Master Pro tempore, hoping that he could act as a mediator and bring about reconciliation. This peace was fleeting and lasted only until 2003. This split resulted in them mutually expelling each other from their joint fake Order The animosity between them had grown so strong that they no longer saw eye to eye on any matters and collaboration became impossible. Following their separation, Montaldo made a definitive move and declared himself the sole leader and Grand Master of their previous joint endeavour. He asserted his dominance and claimed complete authority over the enterprise they had built together. Meanwhile, Thorbjon Paterno together with some loyal followers who decided to take his side during this challenging time formed their own faction and created a new fake Order, sometime between the years 2004 and 2005. Thorbjon Paterno became the Grand Master and face of this newly established faction. As a result, they separately embarked on their individual paths, striving to further their own agendas for personal gain.

The Self-styled Order of Scerri Montaldo and its derivatives have maintained the same clothing and insignia as the legitimate Russian Order of St. John, making them indistinguishable from the original. Consequently, at times their illicit actions fell upon the true Russian Order, without its members being aware of it. Furthermore, Scerri Montaldo has sparked controversies and scandals in various countries, including Romania. Initially, King Michael of Romania, who provided his Royal protection to the legitimate Russian Order of St. John, feared that the issues related to Scerri Montaldo could damage his reputation and that of the true Russian Order. It required significant effort to persuade public opinion that Scerri Montaldo had no affiliation with the legitimate Russian Order or its protector, King Michael of Romania. This effort was aimed to clarify the clear distinction between the two entities. This was done in order to preserve the integrity of the Authentic Russian Order of St. John and its reputation.

Scerri Montaldo and his group have never contributed even a cent to support those in need, nor have they ever offered assistance to the most vulnerable in any way. 

Acts of expulsion documents.

Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem

Office of the Grand Master

PGM/94-41

Toronto, 23 August, 1994

HE Count Joseph Frendo Cumbo, BGCSJ

52, Kingswood Drive

Courtice, Ontario

L 1E 1Z3

Dear Brother Joseph,

Further to our several conversations during the last few weeks, and further to consultations I have had with some other senior members of the Order, I have now reached a decision that Louis Scerri Montaldo must be expelled from the Order, and to this effect am communicating with our Attorney HE Chev. Dr. Joseph Clementi, asking him to prepare a formal Act of Expulsion.

We cannot allow his activities aimed at destroying the Order to continue. If he persists in his campaign against the Order, he will have to do it as a private person outside the Order.

Yours in St John

Prince Grand Master

Chev. Dr. George Korey- Krezeczowski

Count and Baron de Tour Serrabone[1]

DECREE

WHEREAS the time allowed for you to cure the breach (es) as cited in the Decree under date of the eleventh day of February 1994 including the time of tolerance extended to you have expired;

WHEREAS the said breach(es) and Default(s) have not been cured

HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT

(1)  You are relieved of the Office of Grand Prior of Malta

(2)  You are relieved as Deputy Chancellor of the International Order;

(3)  You are relieved as a Member of the Supreme Council

THE SAID DECREE is FINAL

DURUN EST LEX NON DISTINGUIT

AND I HAVE SIGNED

THIS TWENTY SECOND DAY of June 1994

Attorney General

Dr Josie Di Clementi OSJ

CC. Grand Master Korey -Krezeczowski

    Chancellor J. F. Cumbo [2]

ACT OF EXPULSION

As a result of your continued conduct unbecoming a KNIGHT OF THE SOVEREIGN ORDER OF SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS, KNIGHTS OF MALTA

The act of expulsion is effected, executed and peremptorily decreed as follows:

BY ORDER OF THE GRAND MASTER, HH G. KOREY-KREZECZOWSKI AND HIS COUNCIL

EFFECTIVE THIS DAY, AUGUST 24TH 1994, ANNO DOMINI, you LOUIS SCERRI MONTALDO are hereby expelled from the SOVEREIGN ORDER OF SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM – KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS KNIGHTS OF MALTA (DRUMMED OUT) of all your PRIVILEGES and RIGHTS in concert therewith and therein as a KNIGHT OF THE SOVEREIGN ORDER OF SAINT JOHN OF JERUSALEM – KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS KNIGHTS OF MALTA

AFFIXED MY SIGNATURE AND SEAL HEREUNDER

THIS TWENTY- FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST 1994

Attorney General of the Sovereign Order of Saint John

of Jerusalem Knights Hospitallers Knights of Malta

Dr Josie Di Clementi OSJ

CC. Grand Master Korey -Krezeczowski

    Chancellor J. F. Cumbo [3]

Original acts of expulsion

On the 11th June 2010, Chev. Adrian Busietta and Dr Josie Pace signed an Affidavit which detailed the events surrounding the expulsion of Mr. Scerri Montaldo. This affidavit confirms the issuance of an expulsion decree to Mr. Scerri Montaldo on 24th August 1994, by the late Grand Master, Count the Chevalier Korey-Krezeczowski, and the late Grand Chancellor, Count the Chevalier Joseph Frendo-Cumbo. The decree was also endorsed by the Attorney-General of the Order in Canada, Dr. Chevalier Joseph di Clementi GCSJ. The Affidavit serves as a confirmation of these facts and sheds light on the circumstances that led to Mr. Scerri Montaldo's expulsion from the Order. The expulsion of Mr. Scerri Montaldo was a result of various reasons, including deemed disloyalty to the Order's Magisterium, long-term neglect of duties according to his rank and title, as well as other serious acts and omissions that were known or considered at the time

#

To whom it may concern 

                                                                                                             26.9.94

I Chev J. Frendo Cumbo GCSJ do solemnly Swear on my honour that, Contray to the statements Made by Mr Scerri Montaldo that I have resigned. I am still The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem , Knights of Malta and that i have never resigned, nor do I intend to do so in the furture.

Mr Montaldo's statements are lies designed to distort the truth, to confuse and to deceive the members and those who will listen to him.

The Order is in very good shape to-day, for Mr Montaldo to state different is dishonest, nothing is gained by false statements.

His constant ambition for power is hurting the name of the Order in Malta and embarrassing our members.

Reason for my letter of declaration is to make it quite clear that I did not resign, my wish is to serve for as long as the Order needs my services, when my task is complete I will retire, but NEVER RESIGN, resignations are a sign of weakness.

The Grand Priory of Malta have suffered because of Mr Montaldo inefficiency and radical behaviour, his expulsion from the Order is for many other offences, now he is trying to start an Order of his own, using the name of our Order    for his own gain.

Malta nowhas a new Grand Prior, Chev. Baron Adrian Busietta GCSJ, he is good leader, honest, hard working and loyal, our members are to respect and obey him, any member who is still follows behind Mr Montaldo is wasting his time, and risking expulsion.  Mr Montaldo does not belong to the Order. Investitures held by him are void, and passage fees collected by him is money waisted, it is not sent to headquarters, new members and not registered at the chancellery, therefore these members are not recognised as members. They just joined a private group run by Mr Montaldo.

Hoping that the above information will clearsome of the uncertainties creaated by lies.

Best fraternal wishes to you all. God Bless.

J Frendo Cumbo

Grand Chancellor

[1] Ref: PGM/94-41 OSJ archives Castello dei baroni Wardija Malta

[2] OSJ archives Castello dei Baroni Wardija Malta

[3] Ibid