After more failures, Valeska Paris asks court to summons Scientology leader David Miscavige

[Dave at the Flag Building]

The Australians suing Scientology for labor trafficking have had more failures attempting to serve the lawsuit on David Miscavige, and so now they’re asking the court itself to serve the Scientology leader in care of Florida’s Secretary of State.

Continue reading After more failures, Valeska Paris asks court to summons Scientology leader David Miscavige

After 9-year appeal, Scientology wins tax exemption in the Netherlands

[David Miscavige at the Amsterdam Ideal Org opening in 2017]

In 2013, Scientology won a major victory in the Netherlands when an appeals court overturned the verdict of a lower court and awarded the organization church status in that country. At the time, journalist Jonny Jacobsen helped us understand the situation, and Karin Spaink, the Dutch journalist who had legendary court fights with Scientology in the 1990s, put things in perspective.

Continue reading After 9-year appeal, Scientology wins tax exemption in the Netherlands

The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see, Episode 4: Katrina Reyes

[Katrina and her mother, before Scientology tore them apart]

In 2016, the A&E Network had filmed and edited an eight-episode series about Scientology that has never aired.

Continue reading The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see, Episode 4: Katrina Reyes

Freezone news: LRH 2.0 indicted by grand jury, new center opens in Buenos Aires

[Would you buy a (new and improved) Bridge from this man?]

When we got an Anderson County, Tennessee law enforcement official on the phone last November to tell him we were inquiring about someone in his jail, we explained that although the inmate appeared as “Lafayette Ronald Hubbard” in his records, we also knew the prisoner as a California ex-con named Justin Craig.

Continue reading Freezone news: LRH 2.0 indicted by grand jury, new center opens in Buenos Aires

October showdowns: After years of delays, Scientology-related trials are looming

[Rizza Islam and Danny Masterson: Trials and tribulations]

Way back in 2015, we told you that a Compton, California family had been charged with Medi-Cal fraud for sending the state insurance program fake reports of treatment from a jackleg Scientology “Narconon” rehab working out of the notorious World Literacy Crusade.

Continue reading October showdowns: After years of delays, Scientology-related trials are looming

Valerie Haney names Tom Cruise for arbitrator (and Shelly Miscavige if Tom is busy)

[Valerie Haney and Tom Cruise]

Scientology’s “International Justice Chief,” a Sea Org official named Mike Ellis, informed Valerie Haney last week that her choice of arbitrator, actress Elisabeth Moss, has declined to serve. So now, Valerie has mailed in her new nomination.

Continue reading Valerie Haney names Tom Cruise for arbitrator (and Shelly Miscavige if Tom is busy)

PODCAST: Examining Scientology’s new marketing juggernaut, a ‘Wider Bridge’

[Jefferson Hawkins: Dave is flailing]

Recently, Scientology has been advertising a big advance they are referring to as a ‘wider Bridge,’ which was to be announced last week. Well, it turns out that it’s just David Miscavige’s way to get Scientologists excited that local orgs are dropping some Covid protocols and starting up things like the Purification Rundown.

Continue reading PODCAST: Examining Scientology’s new marketing juggernaut, a ‘Wider Bridge’

Andreas Heldal-Lund, who stared down Scientology, now faces his own mortality

Several weeks ago, our old friend Andreas Heldal-Lund messaged us with some unpleasant news. A tumor in his brain turns out to be a particularly aggressive form of cancer. He has been told he has another year or two, depending on how treatments go.

Continue reading Andreas Heldal-Lund, who stared down Scientology, now faces his own mortality

Here are Scientology’s new motions to force arbitration in the Valeska Paris case

Once again, Scientology has filed its motions asking a federal court in Tampa to derail a major new labor trafficking lawsuit against the church by forcing it into Scientology’s own brand of “religious arbitration.”

Continue reading Here are Scientology’s new motions to force arbitration in the Valeska Paris case

The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see, Episode 3: Carol Nyburg

[Carol, when she was the friendly face at Flag]