Scientology is putting Ideal Orgs in every country where it operates — except one

 
Rod Keller keeps an eye on the Ideal Org racket David Miscavige is running, and he notices something very interesting…

There are no Ideal Orgs in France. At over 67 million in population, it is the largest country in the world with a Scientology org, but no Ideal Orgs. If Scientology is planning to open Ideal Orgs around the world, France is a significant hole they should plug. Ireland at less than 5 million has an Ideal Org, why not France?

France has five non-ideal orgs in Paris, Angers, Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon, and Nice. Sources tell us the Paris Celebrity Center has closed. One would think Paris would be the obvious choice to go ideal like the other capital cities London, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, and Moscow. The current building is on a narrow street in the 12th arrondissement and it might be hard to find a suitable building to renovate as an ideal org. With enough money it should be possible.

Former Scientologist Mike Rinder doesn’t think they are even working on it. “I suspect there will never be an Ideal Org in France,” he says. “I do not think Miscavige believes it is worth investing anything in France as he fears the buildings could be confiscated. It is interesting to note that the IAS has funded most of the Ideal Orgs in Europe as ‘strategic cities’ — Brussels, Moscow, Rome, London, etc. The ability to push this program and get people to come up with tens of millions is virtually impossible outside the US.”

The history of Scientology in France is rocky, but no more so than in Spain, Germany, or Russia, which all have Ideal Orgs. In 1996 Jean-Jacques Mazier of the Lyon Org was convicted of fraud and involuntary homicide and sentenced to eighteen months following the death of a Patrice Vik who committed suicide after going deeply into debt to pay for Scientology auditing sessions. Fourteen others were convicted of fraud as well.

In 2008 Scientology weathered an investigation when Norwegian student Kaja Bordevich Ballo committed suicide in Nice after taking a Scientology personality test. Scientologists lied to officials by telling them that the test wasn’t even created by them. The test, called the Oxford Capacity Analysis, was created by L. Ron Hubbard and has no connection to Oxford University.

In 2008 a judge ruled that Scientologists at the Paris Celebrity Center should be tried for fraud and “illegally practicing as pharmacists.” The trial was never held. In 2009 seven Scientologists were found guilty of fraud and fined €600,000. The law that would allow the government to dissolve Scientology completely was temporarily suspended at the time, but it has since been restored. Scientology dodged a bullet then, but we think the flaw that prevents the opening of an Ideal Org in France goes back further than 2009.

France committed an offense against Scientology that no other country on the planet has. In 1978 L. Ron Hubbard and three other Scientologists were convicted of fraud for claiming to be able to cure illness. That claim is at the heart of Scientology’s “Book One” — 1950’s Dianetics — in which Hubbard claims to have healed himself of war injuries and with the procedures in the book you can too. “Handling one’s physical condition” continues to be promoted by Scientology today.

In 1978 Hubbard was already in hiding after the Snow White raids the previous year. He spent time in Gilman Hot Springs and La Quinta, but he didn’t travel to France to stand trial. He was convicted in absentia and sentenced to four years in jail and a 30,000 franc fine.

Over the years prosecutors in a number of countries conducted criminal investigations of Hubbard but only France ever convicted him. It’s an incident Scientology would like to erase from history. One of the their main complaints against Lawrence Wright’s 2013 book Going Clear was mentioning the French conviction.

And so we agree with Mike Rinder that France will never have an Ideal Org. Miscavige fears the property being seized, and the law that would allow officials to do that has been restored since the 2009 fraud case. But perhaps there is also the insult to L. Ron Hubbard by the French that lingers in his mind. It’s one thing to charge members of Scientology and quite another to bring the law to bear on its founder. It’s quite possibly unforgivable.

 
— Rod Keller

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

Yes, this is an actual tweet, put out last night by LAPD Rampart Division Captain Alfonso Lopez, essentially endorsing Scientology’s fake grassroots group, the STAND League, that the church uses to smear Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, and yes, your proprietor, on a daily basis.

What an example of Scientology “safepointing” at its best.

 
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HowdyCon 2019 in Los Angeles

This year’s HowdyCon is in Los Angeles. People tend to come in starting on Thursday, and that evening we will have a casual get-together at a watering hole. We have something in mind, but for now we’re not giving out information about it.

Friday night we will be having an event in a theater (like we did on Saturday night last year in Chicago). There will not be a charge to attend this event, but if you want to attend, you need to RSVP with your proprietor at tonyo94 AT gmail.

On Saturday, we are joining forces with Janis Gillham Grady, who is having a reunion in honor of the late Bill Franks. Originally, we thought this event might take place in Riverside, but instead it’s in the Los Angeles area. If you wish to attend the reunion, you will need to RSVP with Janis (janisgrady AT gmail), and there will be a small contribution she’s asking for in order to help cover her costs.

HOTEL: Janis tells us she’s worked out a deal with Hampton Inn and Suites, at 7501 North Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, (818) 768-1106. We have a $159 nightly rate for June 19 to 22.

 
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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] A Scientologist is running for lieutenant governor in Nevada — and it’s who you probably suspect
[TWO years ago] Jonny Jacobsen: The tweets about Scientology that got a comedian in hot water
[THREE years ago] Reason Rally 2016 in Washington DC: The Underground Bunker wants to see you there!
[FOUR years ago] Can you help French prosecutors find these witnesses to the death of a Scientologist?
[FIVE years ago] Paris elects its first female mayor — and you have to see her record on Scientology!
[SIX years ago] Easter Sunday Funnies — Also: Our SMERSH Madness Championship!

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on March 31, 2019 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, 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 | 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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