We’ve been talking to Florida attorney Richard Celler about the religious discrimination lawsuit he filed on behalf of a man name David Bunting who is suing a Tampa medical services CEO, Vick Tipnes, for allegedly forcing Scientology courses on him, and firing him when Bunting refused. We told Celler how much Tipnes reminded us of another colorful businessman, motivational speaker Grant Cardone, who is also a Scientologist and is someone Tipnes cites as a mentor.
What a coincidence, Celler told us. He had clients who were also making religious discrimination claims against Cardone.
Celler sent us copies of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints he’s made on behalf of three clients who submitted discrimination claims after being fired by Cardone’s Miami Beach business.
Donald Bradley was fired on June 10, 2015. Pedro Orozco on January 4 of this year. And Michelle Ceglarek four days later. All three worked for Cardone’s Miami Beach business, at 300 71st St, and each of them has filed claims that they were let go because they refused to submit to Scientology training.
“They are sneaky. They call it the L. Ron Hubbard training, but go out of their way not to use the term ‘Scientology’,” Celler tells us. “We all know what it really is though.”
In Bunting’s case, Celler prepared a lengthy report that he submitted to the EEOC, and attorney Hunter Chamberlin responded with a lengthy counterargument on behalf of Vick Tipnes. The EEOC then gave Bunting permission to sue.
Celler tells us that he hasn’t submitted lengthy reports for the former Cardone employees yet, and he hasn’t seen any responses from Cardone.
We called Cardone Training Technologies yesterday and spoke to a helpful employee who put us through to someone he said could help us. We left a detailed message with that person, but haven’t yet received a response. When we do, we’ll let you know.
Grant Cardone is a very familiar name to Scientology watchers. He first came to our attention when he starred in a short-lived National Geographic Channel series, Turnaround King. Former Scientology executive Marty Rathbun told us that Cardone had also done some dirty work on behalf of church leader David Miscavige, sliming well known acting coach Milton Katselas, who had begun to pull away from Scientology.
Since then, Cardone has provided us years of entertainment as one of Scientology’s more colorful characters. We’ll leave it up to our commenters to nominate their favorite Cardone moments.
But is he forcing Scientology on his employees? We’d love to get his side of the story. Hey, Grant, give us a call. We left our number with your helper Katie.
EEOC Claims
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Posted by Tony Ortega on August 12, 2016 at 07:00
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Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield
