“The death of a Dallas follower continues to haunt the Church of Scientology with questions of malpractice and abuse…
…In the second installment of a three-part series on Scientology, new light has been shed on the death of Lisa McPherson, who worked for a company owned by fellow Scientologists. Marty Rathbun, a “defector” (former member) who was a part of the inner circle, told reporters Thomas Tobin and Joe Childs that her death was a debacle from the very beginning. ”
“Contacted by the St. Petersburg Times, Rathbun agreed to tell the story of his years in Scientology and what led to his leaving. The Times interviewed him at his home in Texas, and he came to Clearwater to revisit some of the scenes he described.
Seeking to corroborate Rathbun’s story, the newspaper contacted others who were in Scientology during the same period and have left the church: Mike Rinder, one of Rathbun’s closest associates for two decades; Tom De Vocht, who Rathbun named as key to his decision to leave; and later, Amy Scobee.”
“The leader of the Church of Scientology struck his subordinates numerous times and set an example for physical violence among the tightly controlled religion’s management team, four former high-ranking executives told a newspaper for a story published Sunday.
The executives who have since left the organization told The St. Petersburg Times that they witnessed David Miscavige, chairman of the board that oversees the church, hit staff members dozens of times.”
“Wednesday marked the last day of a three-week trial in Paris in which the Church of Scientology stood accused of fraud.
If found guilty, the church could be forced to shut down in France, though appeals could let the case continue for years.
Closing arguments were made Wednesday, two days after the prosecution asked for a dissolution of both the church and its Paris bookstore, and fines of 2 million euros ($2.8 million).
A verdict is expected in September. ”
“A French prosecutor on Monday recommended a Paris court should dissolve the Church of Scientology‘s French branch when it rules on charges of fraud against the organization.”
“The case centres on a complaint made in 1998 by a woman who said she was enrolled into Scientology after members approached her in the street and persuaded her to do a personality test. In the following months, she paid more than 21,000 euros ($34,000 Cdn) for books, “purification packs” of vitamins, sauna sessions and an “e-meter” to measure her spiritual progress, she said.
Other people also complained. Five original plaintiffs — three of whom withdrew after reaching a financial settlement with the Church of Scientology — said they spent vast sums on similar tests and cures.”
“On Monday, May 25th, a case against Scientology and high ranking Scientologists begins in France. The charges are related to fraud and illegally practicing as pharmacists. Speaking to More4News on the UK Channel 4, a Scientology spokesperson says that the judge is biased before the case has begun, which indicates that the Church of Scientology does not seem optimistic about the outcome. The stakes may be high because Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard previously have been convicted of fraud and privacy violations in France. Repeat convictions might lead to an outright ban against the organization in question.”
“Two years ago a Belgian prosecutor recommended that the U.S.-based Church of Scientology stand trial for fraud and extortion, following a 10-year investigation that concluded the group should be labeled a criminal organization…
“Two years ago a Belgian prosecutor recommended that the U.S.-based Church of Scientology stand trial for fraud and extortion, following a 10-year investigation that concluded the group should be labeled a criminal organization.
A Belgian court was to decide today whether the Church of Scientology will be prosecuted. However, the debate was postponed indefinitely when lawyers for accused filed nine requests for additional research.
A judge will evaluate each request to decide whether they are necessary. If he rejects the requests, Scientology’s lawyers can file an appeal.”
Not just happening in Riverside CA anymore:
“A protest at the Church of Scientology in Nashville led to pushing, shoving, an arrest and the whole thing was caught on tape.The tape, protesters said, proves they were assaulted and bullied by security guards for no reason.
A Middle Tennessee State University student doesn’t want his name revealed after what happened on April 25 at Nashville’s new Church of Scientology on Eighth Avenue. The man is in a group called Anonymous that protests Church of Scientology The tape, protesters said, proves they were assaulted and bullied by security guards for no reason. ”
Reading Tea Leaves by Randy Wilson 