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Q&A with Mike Rinder: Understanding the sudden changes at Scientology’s LA complex

ALSO, SEE BELOW: Jonny Jacobsen gives us a full report on the European Court of Human Rights decision regarding Scientology in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Mike Rinder was once Scientology’s top spokesman and oversaw the organization’s legal affairs. He left Scientology in 2007 after being held for about a year in its notorious internal prison for executives, []

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Scientology’s drug rehab network hit with lawsuit number 22 by attorney Ryan Hamilton

Las Vegas attorney Ryan Hamilton has filed another federal fraud lawsuit against Scientology’s drug rehab network, Narconon. That brings to 22 the suits he’s filed against Narconon facilities in Colorado, California, and Nevada.

This time, the plaintiffs are Ricky and Jana Martin and their son Wes, who live in Texas. According to the complaint, on July []

Does a judge’s order in the Garcia fraud lawsuit suggest trouble for Scientology?

We’re still waiting for a major decision from Federal District Judge James D. Whittemore in Tampa that will determine if Scientology can dodge a fraud lawsuit by insisting its former members have to submit all grievances to its internal arbitration system rather than litigate in a civil court.

But in the meantime, Scientology asked, and Whittemore []

Jon Atack takes his presentation — ‘Scientology: The Cult of Greed’ — to Russia

Jon Atack is the author of A Piece of Blue Sky, one of the very best books on L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. He has a new edition of the book for sale, and for more than a year on Saturdays he helped us sift through the legends, myths, and contested facts about Scientology that []

Celebrating two years in the Bunker: Jonny Jacobsen on Russia, and Sunday Funnies!

Two years ago today, we switched on the circuits here in our underground bunker. The cats have been especially needy this week, anticipating our anniversary, and we made sure and stocked up on kibble and booze for today’s celebration.

For those of you who have been with us since the start — and many of you []

Ryan Hamilton files lawsuit number 21 against Scientology’s drug rehab network

Las Vegas attorney Ryan Hamilton continues to add to his total of breach of contract and fraud lawsuits against Narconon, Scientology’s drug rehab network. Hamilton has now filed 21 lawsuits against Narconon facilities in Colorado, California, and Nevada, and all but one of them in federal court.

The latest suit involves the Koslow family of New []

Scientology prepares for its big party in England, Maureen Bolstad on the Purification Rundown

Scientology’s big fall shindig, the October gala for the International Association of Scientologists, is making its triumphant return to England, and we have a couple of fun images for you to help you get excited for the big party.

Last year, you’ll remember that Scientology leader David Miscavige had a wild hair and shipped the big []

What the Boston Globe left out of its story on Scientology yesterday

Will this vision of the Alexandra ever come true?

There have been numerous press reports about the sad state of affairs for the Church of Scientology in the fair city of Boston.

Like other cities in what Scientology considers the “East US Continent” (Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia), Boston’s pursuit of an “Ideal Org” has been mired []

Rathbun v. Scientology: Another appeals court hearing, this time with everything on the line

Monique Rathbun

UPDATED with an account of today’s hearing, below

Monique Rathbun and the Church of Scientology are back in court today for a hearing before the Texas Third Court of Appeals.

In July, the same court overturned a lower court order that would have allowed Monique to depose Scientology leader David Miscavige in her harassment []

NARCONON DENIED: Damaging Oklahoma report on Scientology rehab facility will be turned over

Today, Pittsburg County District Judge Jim D. Bland (pictured, right) agreed that the families suing Scientology’s flagship drug rehab facility, Narconon Arrowhead, should be given copies of a controversial state report that recommended the rehab center be shut down.

The report came to light when, last month, two lawsuits were filed by a former Oklahoma state []