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The Church of Scientology embarked on a citywide publicity campaign in the wake of five days of public hearings on the sect by the Clearwater City Commission.
Four days were set aside for Scientology to present its side of the story. After the hearings began, church spokesman Hugh Wilhere said no decision had been reached as to whether the organization would participate.
In a story of international intrigue, a former senior executive of the Church of Scientology testified about a worldwide sect network involving infiltrations, conspiracies and smuggling.
Clearwater city commissioners received a warning and some advice as witnesses gave final testimony against the Church of Scientology during public hearings on the sect's activities.
Clearwater's public hearings on the Church of Scientology is just a case of sect founder L. Ron Hubbard getting a dose of his own medicine, according to one interested spectator.
A 17-year veteran of the Church of Scientology told Clearwater city commissioners Thursday that she lived through "horror" while staying at the former Fort Harrison Hotel.
In sect documents released by federal court order in 1976, Paulette Cooper emerged as perhaps Scientology's most hated enemy because of her damaging writings about the sect and its activities. According to the documents, she was the target of "Operation Freakout," a plan to get her "incarcerated in a mental institution or jail, or at least hit her so hard that she drops her attacks."
Testimony began in the much-awaited and much-publicized hearings that city officials said could result in two ordinances aimed at curbing Scientology solicitation and alleged fraudulent activities. City commissioners and officials were cautious throughout the hearings, careful to stick to the business side of the church and not delve into religious aspects.