January 19, 2007: Second Chance is one of the country's most unusual alternatives to the nation's prison systems, founded by Scientologist and former real-estate developer Rick Pendery. Even before it opened its doors to inmates last September, Second Chance and its unconventional methods had ignited a controversy in New Mexico's legal community. Judge Lang says he is "highly suspicious" of the program. "If it is connected to Scientology, just say so," he says. Second Chance officials and a spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology say there are no ties.

January 12, 2007: The Labour Party received thousands of pounds from an offshoot of Scientology, the Evening Standard reveals today. The decision to accept money from a charity linked to the controversial cult was taken at the highest level by members of the National Executive Committee. They allowed the charity, the Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), to take a stall at the party's annual conference in Manchester.

June 25, 2006: The St. Petersburg Times publishes "The Unperson," a story about disconnection and Suppressive Persons in Scientology.

February 23, 2006: Rolling Stone publishes "Inside Scientology: Unlocking the complex code of America's most mysterious religion", discussing auditing, Scientology's secrets, and disconnection.

December 21, 2005: The US Tax Court rules against Michael and Maria Sklar, who were seeking the right to deduct the cost of their children's religious education, a right that the IRS grants only to Scientologists.

October 2, 2005: The New York Post reports that Scientology auditor and course supervisor Gabriel Williams repeatedly raped a 16-year-old Scientologist who had been ordered to live with Williams while she worked at Scientology's Mountain View org.