The last time we checked on Laura DeCrescenzo’s forced-abortion lawsuit against Scientology, we learned that Judge Ronald Sohigian (who handed Laura such a decisive victory in October) had decided to retire. The case was assigned to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rafael A. Ongkeko, but Scientology filed a peremptory challenge, which automatically was granted.
So now, the case has been assigned to Judge Robert L. Hess.
Some preliminary reading suggests to us that Hess has a cantankerous reputation, but then Sohigian was legendary for being a grouch, and he was won over by Laura’s voluminous evidence.
Hess made some news when he said some unfortunate things and then stepped down from handling a lawsuit brought against Miley Cyrus. (Hess was replaced by Sohigian, who later dismissed that lawsuit.)
What does that mean for Laura DeCrescenzo and Scientology? Who knows. What we do know is that Hess has a lot of homework to catch up on. Hey, Judge, start here!
Here’s the court order that assigns Judge Hess.
Narconon answers
We’ve been telling you about federal fraud lawsuits filed by Las Vegas attorney Ryan Hamilton against Scientology’s drug rehab centers. The first was filed on behalf of David, Stacy, and Jack Welch against Narconon Fresh Start in Nevada. The second was filed by Cathy and Michael Tarr also against the Nevada facility. And the third and fourth suits were filed against a San Diego County center by Angelo Amato and by Christy and Branden Chavez.
We now have Narconon’s answer to the first lawsuit, brought by the Welch family. Attorneys S. Brent Vogel and Alayne M. Opie of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP of Las Vegas filed the brief document, which generally supplies pro forma denials to the plaintiffs’ complaint.
The lawyers ask that the lawsuit be dismissed and their fees awarded.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 25, 2014 at 07:00
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