Risen From the Ashes

After 10 years in prison, William and Marika Runnells were paroled in 2000, when they were first eligible, according to authorities.

The couple returned to Virginia Beach, where they had friends, one of whom loaned them a house, Marika Runnells said. In June 2001, William Runnells said, he was near death when he received a life-saving liver transplant at the Medical College of Virginia. The operation was paid for by Medicare.

After his recovery and with the financial backing of several friends, the Runnellses opened a hypnosis clinic in Virginia Beach called Phoenix Longevity Center, the same name as one of the Dallas clinics, and the precursor to Phoenix Method One.

Both William and Marika Runnells say they are trying to help others suffering from the problems that wrecked their lives by offering the hypnosis treatment that cured William Runnells.

Phoenix Reborn

Last year, the couple moved from Virginia Beach to Northern Virginia.

"We just felt it was a better location for us," Marika Runnells said.

The waiting room at the company's Tysons Corner headquarters, located in a new high-rise overlooking the Beltway, exudes a soothing ambience with its indirect low lighting, gurgling waterfall machine, soporific music and bland nature prints. Visitors are routinely offered bottles of spring water.

Hypnosis sessions take place in five small offices. William Runnells' therapy office is tidy and spare. Both it and his much larger and more lavish quarters in Phoenix's business office around the corner contain black-and-white photographs of Albert Einstein. An Einstein poster bearing the inscription "Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge" dominates the business office lobby. "His mind fascinates me," Runnells said.

Both of his offices contain framed degrees and certificates from Buxton University, the American Institute of Hypnotherapy and the American Board of Hypnotherapy.

Marika Runnells occupies a spacious corner office, its shades drawn. Two Eames-style black leather armchairs face each other. Next to them is a bookcase containing popular volumes about diet, relaxation and wellness.

Inside the business office, three telephone coordinators field calls from prospective clients. They spend anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours per call answering questions, according to director of programs for Phoenix, Dimitrious L. Deanes.

While many of the approximately 70 people who seek its services each week live in the Washington suburbs, Phoenix officials say, clients come from as far away as Texas and Colorado. Among them are surgeons, airline pilots and CIA and FBI agents, according to William Runnells.

While at least half of the company's clients enroll for treatment of alcohol abuse, Phoenix officials say, its half dozen or so hypnotherapists also treat drug addiction, eating disorders, obesity, smoking and phobias, for fees ranging from $1,995 to $9,995.

Clients are required to pay in advance for a package of sessions -- usually three to eight -- and can return for unlimited reinforcement treatments at no extra charge.

"The vast majority of our patients quit drinking after that very first session," said Marika Runnells. "The entire experience is different from other programs because it is very pleasant, very positive."

Her husband attributes its success in part to its steep cost. "Once you pay the fee," he said, "you cooperate."

Follow the Money

When he sentenced them to prison in January 1991, Judge Clarke ordered William and Marika Runnells to pay a total of $1 million in restitution -- an amount reduced because of what the court called their "apparent lack of assets."

Court records show that as of March 11, they have a paid a total of $15,747.

Several times in the past decade, court records show, they have tried unsuccessfully to persuade the court to reduce or eliminate the restitution debt on the ground that they can't afford to pay it. Their most recent request to the government, which is pending, was made last month, according to their longtime lawyer Brydges.

The couple last week also hired attorney Nina Ginsberg to help negotiate a restitution agreement, said Ginsberg, who has a large practice in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.