Forced abortions, beatings, and sleep deprivation: The FBI on Scientology’s Sea Org

[From drone footage of Int Base, a lake workers were routinely forced to jump into]

Yesterday, we heard from several of the former Scientologists who spoke to the FBI for its 2009/2010 human trafficking investigation of the Church of Scientology. The probe was stopped in 2010 without charges being filed, but now, some seven years later, the FBI has released a 300-page file of documents describing the investigation to Melissa Cronin of RadarOnline.

Continue reading Forced abortions, beatings, and sleep deprivation: The FBI on Scientology’s Sea Org

Scientology fires again at Clearwater aquarium and calls county commissioner ‘shameful’

[Monique Yingling is now angling for both Winter the Dolphin and Commissioner Janet Long]

After picking a fight with a dolphin, the Church of Scientology has called for a county board’s cooperation by calling that board “shameful.”

Continue reading Scientology fires again at Clearwater aquarium and calls county commissioner ‘shameful’

Notorious Tennessee Scientology facility shut down when patients found held against their will

[One of the bucolic cabins of the Woodbury facility]

We’ve written several articles about a highly questionable mental-health facility that was run by Scientologists in rural Tennessee, and now, the local newspaper in Cannon County there reports that operator Marc Vallieres was charged with two felony counts of facilitation of kidnapping after patients were found being held there against their will. The Cannon Courier also reports that the sheriff has announced that the facilities have been shut down.

Continue reading Notorious Tennessee Scientology facility shut down when patients found held against their will

Confirmation of the 2009 FBI trafficking probe of Scientology that the church denied

Melissa Cronin over at RadarOnline dropped a bomb this morning that she let us in on recently: The FBI had complied with her request for documents related to its 2009/2010 human trafficking investigation of the Church of Scientology.

Continue reading Confirmation of the 2009 FBI trafficking probe of Scientology that the church denied

Judge Whittemore puts his foot down: Scientology, cough up those phone numbers!

It didn’t take Tampa federal Judge James Whittemore very long to issue a new order after Scientology essentially thumbed its nose at his previous one, and wow, does he appear steamed.

Continue reading Judge Whittemore puts his foot down: Scientology, cough up those phone numbers!

Renovations for Scientology’s planned Mexico City ‘Advanced Org’ halted by local pols

[Scientology’s rendering of the finished Advanced Org project.]

Rod Keller has been keeping a close eye on Scientology’s attempted expansion in Mexico, and he has a surprising report for us today…

Continue reading Renovations for Scientology’s planned Mexico City ‘Advanced Org’ halted by local pols

Professor Hugh Urban takes us to task for our review of his Scientology OT 8 investigation

[Professor Hugh B. Urban of the Ohio State University]

On Friday, we expressed our disappointment with Ohio State University professor Hugh Urban’s newest paper, this time about Scientology’s original OT 8 material, which we have also written about. We titled the piece “With Scientology at war in Clearwater, religious studies types still seeking its warm & fuzzy side.” Hugh asked to send a response to our critical review, and we’re glad to present it today, along with our own answer.

Continue reading Professor Hugh Urban takes us to task for our review of his Scientology OT 8 investigation

Scientology leader David Miscavige turns 57 today — what’s your birthday greeting?

On April 30, 1960, David Miscavige and his twin sister Denise were born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Today they turn 57, and we thought you’d want to wish the Church of Scientology’s ecclesiastical grand poobah a happy birthday.

Continue reading Scientology leader David Miscavige turns 57 today — what’s your birthday greeting?

As former Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca awaits sentencing, Scientology sticks by its man

More than a year ago, we wrote a story about former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, who at that time was seeking a plea deal that would have sentenced him to only six months of incarceration.

Continue reading As former Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca awaits sentencing, Scientology sticks by its man

Garcias answer: Was Scientology not paying attention to an angry federal judge?

[Attorney Ted Babbitt and his client, Luis Garcia]

On Thursday, we told you about Scientology’s surprising response to a federal judge who has lost all patience.

Continue reading Garcias answer: Was Scientology not paying attention to an angry federal judge?

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