Scientology Lies

January 11, 1996: Unveiling a new study of cults, French lawmakers called for a crackdown Wednesday to prevent further cult-related financides. France now has 173 groups it considers cults, and cult members here have increased by at least 50% in the past dozen years to an estimated 300,000 people, lawmaker Jacques Guyard said at a news conference. Guyard, who wrote the report, said it was "difficult to say" how many lives were in danger. But with a dozen doomsday groups in France, he said, "it's important to watch out, especially for groups with children."

January 10, 2000: Dr. Zwan helped develop its core technology, but he never got it to turn a consistent profit. In its early years, the company also became known in the marketplace for its founder's association with Scientology. Then, less than a year after Digital Lightwave went public in early 1997, a new chief financial officer concluded that some revenue numbers were overstated and insisted on revising them downward. The stock tanked, the company settled a shareholder lawsuit, and a year ago, Dr. Zwan stepped aside.

January 9, 2008: Will Smith has joined the ranks of Hollywood power players actively recruiting for the Church of Scientology. Big stars traditionally distribute "wrap presents" to crew members after completing a film. His recent gift after wrapping next summer's comedy "Hancock" was a card good for a personality test at your local Scientology center.

January 9, 2004: A German woman, Vivien Krogmann Lutz, 23, sued her Scientologist parents for, amongst other things, sending her to Saint Hill and destroying her health. She received 35,000 Euros (RM167,000).

January 8, 1983: Mary Sue Hubbard, whose husband founded the Church of Scientology, was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison for her role in directing a conspiracy to steal U.S. Government documents about the church. U.S. District Judge Norma Holloway Johnson also fined the wife of L. Ron Hubbard $10,000 after telling her she had committed "not only a serious but a heinous offence." The judge said she could not accept Mrs. Hubbard's contention that she had violated the law because she believed the federal Government was harassing the church. "Your crime cannot be excused for perceived harassment," the judge said. "I must consider how your crime has affected your fellow citizens." Ten others who were previously convicted for their roles in the church conspiracy have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to six years.

January 7, 2007: Devotees of the Church of Scientology have gained access to thousands of British children through a charity that visits schools to lecture on the dangers of drugs. A Sunday Times investigation has found that Marlborough College is one of more than 500 schools across Britain where the charity has taught. Critics of the charity, Narconon, say it is a front to promote the teaching of Scientology - the controversial "religion" founded by L Ron Hubbard, the science fiction writer. Schools contacted last week said they knew nothing about the charity's links with Scientology.

January 7, 1998: In the closing days of 1997, the controversial Church of Scientology finally paid the Internal Revenue Service $12.5 million as part of a 1993 settlement. (The sect is also embroiled in a dispute with the German government over its religious and tax status.) Such caution is not unique to the Church of Scientology. In the past 20 years, the IRS has investigated and challenged the tax-exempt status of both the Unification Church, led by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, and a Protestant group led by the Rev. James and Tammy Faye Bakker; in both instances, the churches were fined for tax violations.

Take action against Scientology's abuses - write government and tax officials, picket, and use letters to the editor, fliers, and web links to raise awareness.

January 5, 2001: More than $1.2 million bilked from investors has been recovered by federal officials and will be returned to the fraud victims. A U.S. Customs Service investigation resulted in a court order this week directing the Church of Scientology to return $1.2 million donated by Dennel Finance. The church returned the funds to a receiver and has not been accused of any wrongdoing, authorities said.