When Luis and Rocio Garcia sued in 2013, Scientology answered with a motion to force them into religious arbitration. When Monique Rathbun sued later the same year, Scientology answered with an anti-SLAPP motion.
Now, against Valerie Haney, Scientology is doing both.
At a hearing on January 30, we’ll find out if Scientology’s attempt to force Valerie into religious arbitration will succeed like it did against the Garcias. And now we have the motion that Scientology filed asking that on February 13 the court also consider the church’s anti-SLAPP arguments.
As in the Monique Rathbun case, we’ll explain why it’s so cynical and outrageous that the Church of Scientology (in this case its nominally controlling entity the Religious Technology Center) is attempting to knock down a lawsuit with an anti-SLAPP statute.
Anti-SLAPP statutes were created in the first place in part because of the Church of Scientology and its long history of bullying litigation.
Anti-SLAPP is a law intended to prevent well-heeled bullies from silencing individuals by filing lawsuits to shut them up, a type of litigation that is known as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote about filing what came to be known as SLAPP suits, saying at one point in 1955 that…
The purpose of the suit is to harass and discourage rather than win. The law can be used very easily to harass, and enough harassment on somebody who is simply on the thin edge anyway, well knowing that he is not authorized, will generally be sufficient to cause professional decease. If possible, of course, ruin him utterly.
It is because of bullies like Scientology, who have abused the US court system for decades, that anti-SLAPP statutes were developed around the country.
But Scientology has no shame. And in this case it is coming into court saying that it has to be protected from a big bad bully, Valerie Haney, claiming that her lawsuit was filed simply to curb Scientology’s free speech rights.
It would be laughable if it weren’t so nefarious.
Actually, Haney filed her lawsuit last summer because she worked as an indentured servant in Scientology’s Sea Org for more than 20 years, enduring countless degradations, and then after serving as Scientology leader David Miscavige’s personal steward was then unable to leave secretive Int Base in California because she knew too much about his private life. She ultimately had to escape by hiding in the trunk of a car. Since coming forward about her story on Leah Remini’s television show, she’s been subjected to a fierce and frightening campaign of “Fair Game” surveillance and harassment by the church, including smears about her sex life on websites operated by the church.
In its anti-SLAPP motion, Scientology argues that Valerie knew what she was in for when she signed up for the Sea Org, and that her post-employment surveillance and online smears are simply examples of the church’s protected free speech that Valerie is trying to curb with her lawsuit.
We shit you not. That’s what they’re arguing. Valerie’s lawsuit should be dismissed, they say, because it would harm Scientology’s free speech rights to stalk and slander her all they want.
We have the document for you, and we’re looking forward to your thoughts on it.
Some quotes from it:
Plaintiff aired on the show statements about her working conditions and reasons for departing the Sea Org that were entirely at odds with the truth as reflected by the statements she made in her exit interview. In response to Plaintiff’s false statements, CSI (not RTC) revealed that the televised attacks on Plaintiff’s former religion were recent paid-for fabrications. The CSI response was based upon Plaintiff’s own admissions and the findings of a CSI Justice proceeding, which documented that Plaintiff was dismissed from staff because she failed to comply with the high and exacting ethical standards of the Sea Org. This speech is protected.
Translation: Because we wouldn’t let Valerie leave until she signed a document pretending that she was happy with her Sea Org experience, everything she has said since then about what she actually endured are “false statements” and “paid-for fabrications.” So the church’s subsequent sliming of her online is protected free speech.
The First Amended Complaint alleges the offending statements were posted on the internet, and provides the urls to the public websites containing the allegedly offending information. CSI’s speech — concerning Plaintiff and her participation on a national cable television show and the truth of Plaintiff’s statements on that show regarding the Scientology religion — is plainly protected under the anti-SLAPP statute.
Translation: Because Valerie went on Leah Remini’s show and embarrassed Dave, we can say whatever we want to about her online and there’s nothing she can do about it.
“Defendants” allegedly “followed, surveilled, harassed and stalked” her including by following her vehicle and photographing and filming her. Based on these allegations, Plaintiff alleges that “Defendants” stalked her by placing her “under online surveillance” and “follow[ing] [her] online and likely in person”….Pre-litigation surveillance and investigation is protected pre-litigation petitioning activity under the First Amendment.
Translation: We can follow and spy on that bitch all we want because we can claim that someday we’ll maybe sue her ass.
And there’s so much more. It’s truly a vile document…
Haney v. Scientology: RTC a… by Tony Ortega on Scribd
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Ireland’s high court overturns objection to Narconon clinic
Well, this certainly isn’t the result that locals in Meath County were hoping for. This morning, Ireland’s high court overturned a decision by An Bord Pleanala, the national planning board, which had held up a Scientology drug rehab, saying that it didn’t have the proper permission to build out its facility.
The court found that An Bord Pleanala couldn’t stop the Meath County Council’s previous decision that the clinic didn’t need zoning permission, because it was being built in a former nursing home and therefore was similarly purposed.
It just doesn’t seem to matter that there are decades of court records demonstrating that Narconon is a deceptive and dangerous operation that applies Scientology training to drug addicts, and has resulted in numerous deaths.
Chalk up another one to Scientology’s high-priced lawyers.
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Marking 34 years after L. Ron Hubbard’s galactic soul ejection
Thirty-four years ago today, on January 24, 1986, the Great Thetan, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, slipped the bonds of this mortal coil and went on to colonize Target Two for Scientology.
On the occasion of Hubbard’s death, we offer the suggestion that you read the obituary written by one of his non-Scientology friends, science fiction fan extraordinaire (and Hubbard’s former literary agent) Forrest Ackerman. One of our readers dug this article up for us back in 2016, and it’s still worth a read on Hubbard’s death day.
Here’s one choice paragraph that the Church of Scientology would not like for you to read…
One memorable night LRH came to the LASFS (Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society) and hypnotized just about everybody in the club except me and my wife. One fan, with cupped hands, came to me and showed me the little kangaroo hopping about which Ron had induced in his mind. Arthur Jean Cox’s brother Bill was given a post-hypnotic suggestion: when Ron would casually rub his nose, Bill would instantly fall asleep. A cluster of fans had surrounded Ron when his nose actually itched; he scratched and fortunately I was directly behind Bill because he slumped dead to the world backward into my arms.
Hubbard, master hypnotist and unsurpassed bullshitter, 34 years gone.
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Bonus items from our tipsters
Who wouldn’t want to spend 15 hours with Tom Cummins?
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“A psychiatrist tells you that people aren’t really insane, because insane people could snap out of it if they wanted to, and this, therefore, is their reason for punishing people who are insane. See, their logic just goes haywire halfway through. They almost have an answer and then they miss it. Almost touch it, miss it. Once in a blue moon some psychotic will — well, this is not even a technique — but some psychotic will suddenly get sane on this statement made to him: ‘You don’t have to be insane, you know.’ You know, he all of a sudden gets sane. It’s quite amusing. Much more often, psychotics turn sane on this one: ‘Come up to present time, please.’ They do and they say, ‘Hello!’ They’re not insane anymore; just pull them out of an engram.” — L. Ron Hubbard, January 24, 1957
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“I spent 40 years in Scientology. Only 9 months ago did I begin to understand who I was really. So, one would have to, without difficulty, be able to step in and out of theta/mind. The construct recedes so it’s different from exteriorization. There’s no written technology to do it so one would simply have to intend if one is interested. Yet, one does not have to be at effect: In your soul cause/effect is no longer applicable. A soul, little by little can be strengthened and theta/mind does not disappear. It remains with you until physical death.”
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“If you believe that the Church of Scientology is a criminal organization, that makes David Miscavige the most successful crime boss in the world.”
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Start making your plans…
Head over to the convention website and meet us in St. Louis!
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Scientology’s celebrities, ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and more!
We’ve been building landing pages about David Miscavige’s favorite playthings, including celebrities and ‘Ideal Orgs,’ and we’re hoping you’ll join in and help us gather as much information as we can about them. Head on over and help us with links and photos and comments.
Scientology’s celebrities, from A to Z! Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Scientology’s ‘Ideal Orgs,’ from one end of the planet to the other! Help us build up pages about each these worldwide locations!
Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society!
Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in our weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Thirty-three years later, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is still surfing the galaxy
[TWO years ago] The Battle of Portland: How Scientology turned a nightmare court verdict into a major victory
[THREE years ago] Another Leah, inspired by her namesake, comes forward with a harrowing Scientology escape
[FOUR years ago] On the 30th anniversary of L. Ron Hubbard’s galaxial soul ejection, an obit by an old friend
[FIVE years ago] First time in full: 1997 interview of Barbara Klowden, L. Ron Hubbard’s PR agent and lover
[SIX years ago] Scientology wins damages from French court, but it’s not the victory they were hoping for
[SEVEN years ago] L. Ron Hubbard: Still Surfing the Galaxy in 2013
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 1,827 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 2,331 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 1,851 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 871 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 762 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,069 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 1,937 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 2,711 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 3,485 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 2,831 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 11,397 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 7,316 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 3,484 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,065 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 3,326 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 2,364 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,077 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 1,602 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,129 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 5,692 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 2,832 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,152 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,008 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,127 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 1,482 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 5,785 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 1,891 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 2,293 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,165 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 1,748 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,243 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 2,497 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 13,606 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on January 24, 2020 at 07:00
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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2018 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2018), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | 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 | Shelly Miscavige, 14 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 | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
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Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
