Leah Remini lawsuit will get a new judge after David Miscavige challenge

Judge Randolph Hammock clearly didn’t want to give up handling Leah Remini’s lawsuit after he had spent so much time producing a 37-page ruling for it.

But after initially resisting being removed from the case, Judge Hammock ultimately acknowledged that Scientology leader David Miscavige could, according to court rules, remove him with a “peremptory” challenge — meaning Miscavige’s assertion that he believed the judge was prejudiced against him required no evidence or argument.

Leah filed her lawsuit on August 2, alleging that she’s been subjected to years of smears, intimidation, and interference in her business dealings by an army of volunteers directed by the Church of Scientology to defame and harass her. Leah herself filed a peremptory challenge and had the initial judge removed from the case. A second recused herself. And so that’s how Judge Randolph Hammock ended up with the lawsuit in his court.

Scientology tried to gut the case with four special motions to strike. And Judge Hammock did grant some of what Scientology was asking for, removing numerous paragraphs from Leah’s claims of defamation. But he kept in eight of her nine causes of action, including her allegations of harassment and tortious interference.

Scientology was clearly unhappy with the ruling. Miscavige filed his challenge to send Judge Hammock packing, and Scientology attorney William Forman filed a notice of appeal.

On April 2, Judge Hammock responded to Miscavige’s challenge with a minute order asking both sides to submit responses to five questions he had about whether Miscavige could, at this point in the case, remove him so easily.

Miscavige responded with a 15-page brief written by his personal attorney Jeffrey Riffer arguing that the challenge was timely and followed the court’s rules. Two other defendants — Church of Scientology International and the Religious Technology Center — had little to say in their responses except to take issue with Judge Hammock referring to Miscavige as RTC’s “CEO,” which is what Leah called him in order to describe the level of control he has over the organization. They pointed out that Miscavige is the Chairman of the Board of directors, not CEO.

Leah’s own legal team indicated that they had nothing more to add about the matter.

The same day, yesterday, that those responses came in, Judge Hammock issued a two-page minute order, saying that he would be leaving the case.

So at this point, Leah Remini’s lawsuit has no new judge, and no dates on its calendar. Her request for an April 18 hearing to consider allowing in her proposed new additional allegations to the lawsuit was moved to May 9, but now will have to wait for a new judge to schedule it. We look forward to learning something about who that is when that name is announced by the court.

And meanwhile, the lawsuit will be held up anyway as Scientology appeals Judge Hammock’s ruling on the special motions to strike.

While it’s easy to get frustrated by the delays that Scientology always finds a way to throw against litigation, Leah has lost nothing and her lawsuit remains strong. And that’s why Scientology is fighting it so hard.

 
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Technology Cocktail

“The only ‘schools’ of psychology taught or followed in the West were Russian and East German. The primary school was that of Ivan Petrovitch Pavlov (1849—1936) a veterinarian. Every school child and university student was required to study Pavlov in one disguise or another. The burden of Pavlov’s work is that man is an animal and only works through ‘conditioning’… Czarist Russia, the entire Balkans, Poland, Germany and many more Eastern European countries have already perished trying to use the work of Pavlov, Wundt and others. The entire West, having “bought” the same governing ideas, is now in turmoil and is perishing in its turn. Dianetics refuses to be a revolutionary activity. It does not have to be. All it has as a mission is to get itself applied.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969

 
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones

 
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Source Code

“Under this particular zone in Scientology right now, we have, oddly enough, culminated — and this is hard to believe, because it is such a wildly embracive figure — we have culminated in anything that was desirable in the fields of religion, mysticism, spiritualism, or mental sciences. Anything desirable in those particular fields have been discovered and culminated in the field of Scientology right now. That’s why I say it’s rather hard to believe, but you look at it, that’s true. So we do have valuable subject materials. Now, that job is complete. And so, number one of these, course management, as far as we’re concerned, on a Scientology course, that is complete. We’re even throwing away material now which would have been enough to have made a complete science and revolutionized middle Europe, you know, two hundred years ago.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 10, 1959

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“WOG WORLD: If you were puzzled about my ‘now in the WOG world’ jokes in yesterdays OOD — that was the way certain people were 3rd partying us. Making a horrible false impression between us and elsewhere. ‘Now in the Wog world — ” Or how great the beach is compared to the ship. At least we’re trying to get it to survive and that’s more than you can say for the ‘Wog World’.” — The Commodore, April 10, 1969

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“So this is what’s really going on in regards to the virus event. To fully understand it you need to understand that a cult basically runs planet Earth. Top evil dudes are in it. They are in communication with what you could call the dark side of the force, or the devil basically. Or evil gods is exactly what they are. These evil gods direct them telepathically (put ideas in their heads). These ideas involve encouraging them to turn Earth into some type of futuristic electronic 1984 sci fi movie. So right now we are being changed as a society into a new world that is a police state electronic 1984. To change the world into this new world it requires them to do fake pandemics. Otherwise without these events it would take way, way longer. So they create fake pandemics and fake school shootings in order to have excuses to bring in new changes…As L Ron Hubbard said ‘doing something is better than doing nothing.’ Therefore we fight, we resist, and we do not go into any lockdowns. Are you going to let this cult (called Illuminati, by the way) abuse the economy?”

 
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Past is Prologue

1998: Michail Brzitwa reported that German TV aired a segment on Gabe Cazares, who led a German delegation through Clearwater, Florida. “There was a five minute report on how former Clearwater Mayor Gabe Cazares perceives the ongoing occupation of downtown Clearwater by the ‘Church of Scientology’. Mr. Cazares lead the reporters through parts of Clearwater where scientologists purchased very many premises through the last 20 years. The TV team and Mr. Cazares were followed closely all the time by scientology official Brian Anderson who, when asked, said he wanted to know everything that’s being said. Mr. Cazares mentioned the scientology secret service, the ‘Office of Special Affairs’, OSA. Then a short interview with attorney Ken Dandar and (I think) Dell Liebreich about the ongoing lawsuit against scientology concerning this suspicious incident.”

 
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Random Howdy

“I wear shorts and combat boots to the beach. Who am I kidding, I never go to the beach even though I live right near it. It’s full of gangbangers, junkies, alkies and crackheads.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Found guilty on two counts on May 31, remanded to custody. Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sep 7.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing May 17, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

 
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SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. 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 a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Former Scientology private eye wants to haul us into court in rape lawsuit
[TWO years ago] Mark Bunker reminds us that there are actually Scientology physicians out there
[THREE years ago] Recent Scientology defector: ‘I did the Purif with SNL’s Chloe Fineman’
[FOUR years ago] Eleventh Circuit will hear oral arguments in key Scientology ‘religious arbitration’ case
[FIVE years ago] LEAKED: Scientology’s secret playbook for world domination!
[SIX years ago] Before Scientology was a ‘church,’ L. Ron Hubbard said religion controlled people with lies
[SEVEN years ago] Why Scientology’s Erika Christensen can play a Christian convert on the big screen
[EIGHT years ago] Spider-Man goes drug-free for Scientology, and more in our weekly social media review!
[NINE years ago] L. Ron Hubbard’s Navy record: Chris Owen critiques the ‘Business Insider’ story
[TEN years ago] Is a Scientology front group among those fighting a European effort against ‘sects’?
[ELEVEN years ago] Brit Writer’s 27 Years in Scientology is Suddenly News in France — Our Man in Paris Explains Why

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 10, 2024 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

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, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), 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, 15 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

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

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

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone