[hide] [menu]
     |
|
|
FOLLOW ME ON     |
 Jonny Jacobsen Scientology’s lawyers argued today in France’s highest court that they did not get a fair trial on appeal, because when the defendants walked out of the proceedings half-way through, the appeal court did not stop proceedings to get them new lawyers.  Take off, Clark! Er, hoser! And now, it’s all falling apart so fast we can hardly keep up.
Last week, Claire, you introduced us to Scientology’s “security checks” — tough interrogations that all Scientologists eventually experience on their way up the “Bridge to Total Freedom.” Next on our way up the Bridge is Expanded Grade 3, which seems less menacing, but still carries some pretty steep prices. CLAIRE: Well, after this and Grade 4 we’re on to Dianetics and the state of Clear… THE BUNKER: In that case, where’s our checkbook! Continue reading Making the Grade: Scientology Prepares Us for the Future  AS SEEN ON TV: The title image for Bryan Seymour’s report on Today Tonight We coordinated with Seymour to investigate the story of Manuela Oliveira, a woman who had been a rising dancer building a solid television choreography career, working on such shows as The Voice, and The X Factor, and for such stars as Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Paula Abdul. Three years ago, Manuela moved to Los Angeles from Australia with her boyfriend and fellow choreographer, Yannus Sufandi, as the two followed their dreams of breaking into Hollywood. Two years later, their dreams were disrupted and Manuela had abandoned her relationship with Yannus. To her family’s utter surprise, she had given up everything to join the Church of Scientology’s strict inner corps, the Sea Organization. Continue reading SCIENTOLOGY’S PRIVATE DANCER: A Story of Seduction, Intervention, and Betrayal
When we see or hear his words, it tends to be in speeches that he gives to other Scientologists at church events. We also suspect that he often writes some of the public pronouncements that Scientology puts out under the name of its international spokeswoman, Karin Pouw. But words for public consumption under Miscavige’s own signature are very rare, and tend only to occur in court declarations. As far as we can tell, the last one he made was in 1999. And that’s why we think it’s a pretty big deal that this week, Miscavige submitted a declaration in the lawsuit filed August 16 by Monique Rathbun, a lawsuit which alleges that Miscavige and Scientology have orchestrated a four-year harassment campaign against her simply because she is married to Mark “Marty” Rathbun, who was once Miscavige’s top lieutenant before he became an outspoken critic of the church. Continue reading Scientology Leader David Miscavige Files Declaration in Texas Lawsuit  Trementina Base’s “Vault House,” a prop that covers up the vault entrance itself. THE BUNKER: Jon, new photography of the Trementina Base in New Mexico has people talking about Scientology’s vaults again. The underground vaults are built and operated by a church entity known as the Church of Spiritual Technology, or CST. Shelly Miscavige’s mysterious existence — probably at CST’s HQ in the mountains above LA — also has the press talking about CST.
The interview was a transcript of a 1968 BBC radio show which featured the young Gaiman, who had been kicked out of a school because of his family’s affiliation with Scientology. A year later, the church included the transcript in a political pamphlet because Scientology was under attack in Parliament, and the young Neil made such a fine example of a budding member of the organization. At the time, we hoped someone at the BBC could track down the original audio of Neil’s interview, and we asked again in June, when Neil’s new book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, was published. And now, someone at the BBC has found the audio! Continue reading BBC Tracks Down Audio of 7-Year-Old Scientologist Neil Gaiman
Back in 2007, the Village Voice, where we worked, was one of several publications to write stories about Scientology spending millions to buy some properties on 125th Street, saying that it would open a new community center in “a couple of years.” Yesterday, the “Exclusive” news in the Daily News was that a chapel and cafe are still a year away from opening (or so church spokespeople claim), and the community center is even farther from completion. That’s news? Continue reading What the Daily News Left Out of its Story on Scientology in Harlem Advertisement
We’re starting in Michigan, where we revealed recently that Per Wickstrom, who runs a number of Scientology-style drug rehab centers, has filed suit against the Pennfield Township (near Battle Creek) because it has repeatedly turned down his requests to expand one of his facilities, called “A Forever Recovery.” The Township removed the case to federal court and filed a motion to dismiss it. And now, Wickstrom is battling back: by whining. Continue reading Scientology Legal Roundup: Per Wickstrom’s Fine Whine, And More!
Monique is married to Mark “Marty” Rathbun, who was once the second-highest ranking executive in the church until his defection in 2004. Since 2009, he’s operated a blog critical of Scientology leader David Miscavige, and as a result, the Rathbuns have been the subject of years of surveillance and intimidation by the church, much of it documented at this website. Continue reading Monique Rathbun vs. Scientology: Temporary Injunction Hearing Set for Sept 12 |
|
Copyright © 2025 Tony Ortega | All Rights Reserved | Site Design SP | RSS Feed | Contact Powered by WordPress & Atahualpa . |
|
