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Press in the News

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December 24, 1997 Scientologists Get To Question Critics' Backer The Church of Scientology won the right Tuesday to question the man who has been financing its critics. Scientology's lawyers say they want to know who Minton has financed and why because his motivations and those of potential witnesses could be an issue if the case goes to trial. Moody agreed, but warned the church its questions of Minton must be relevant to the McPherson case. Bob Minton, lawsuits, Lisa McPherson, Press
December 23, 1997 Scientology Sponsored Suit Against Opponent Scientology has blasted Robert S. Minton Jr. for donating more than $1.25-million to its critics, calling his actions "nefarious" and underhanded. The church contends he is illegally interfering with lawsuits involving Scientology. But earlier this decade, Scientology officials themselves backed several lawsuits against one of the church's own adversaries, the Cult Awareness Network. Bob Minton, lawsuits, Press
December 9, 1997 The Prosecutor's Duty By their own admission, law enforcement authorities did not investigate the suspicious deaths of members of the Church of Scientology as thoroughly as they might have. They have an opportunity to correct that mistake as they wind up the investigation of the death of Lisa McPherson, a 36-year-old woman who died two years ago after spending 17 days at Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater. A disturbing pattern now has been established of apparently healthy Scientologists who die suddenly after arriving in Clearwater for training or counseling. An investigation by the Times' Lucy Morgan found at least eight Scientology members, including McPherson, have died under circumstances that are not easily explained. Clearwater, Lisa McPherson, Press, Scientology and Society
December 9, 1997 Scientology's Attacks Rile Clearwater Leaders City leaders Monday said the Church of Scientology's angry protests of the Police Department over the weekend badly damaged Scientology's image in Clearwater and set back the church's efforts to become part of the city's mainstream. The church continued to blast police Chief Sid Klein on Monday with another in a series of public letters accusing him of "orchestrating harassment" against the church and its members. City officials responded in strong terms to the church's allegations. "You can't attack the chief of police without some repercussions," Roberto said. Clearwater, Press, Scientology and Society
December 7, 1997 Scientologists Attack Police Chief In Letter The Church of Scientology's campaign against Clearwater Police Chief Sid Klein calls him "reactionary" and bigoted and blames him for "a two-decade pattern of discrimination" against the church. Scientology officials insisted that they should not be accused of stirring up controversy. 3,000 to 4,000 Scientologists held candles and demonstrated in front of police headquarters, many of them angrily chanting, "Sid Klein, what's your crime?" Clearwater, Press, Scientology and Society
December 7, 1997 For Some Scientologists, Pilgrimage Has Been Fatal Since 1980, at least eight members of the Church of Scientology have died in Clearwater under circumstances that leave their friends, families and in some cases law enforcement authorities looking for their own answers. The most prominent of these cases is Lisa McPherson, a 36-year-old woman who died Dec. 5, 1995. After 17 days at Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel, she was finally taken to a hospital by church staff where she was pronounced dead soon after her arrival. Police and prosecutors are wrapping up an investigation that could result in criminal charges. Clearwater, deaths, Lisa McPherson, Press
December 7, 1997 Church Says "Nothing Mysterious" About Deaths The Church of Scientology vehemently protested any attempt by law enforcement officials or the news media to draw conclusions from deaths of church members in Pinellas County. deaths, Press
December 2, 1997 The Hypocrisy of Scientology After Scientology's heavy-handed effort to close down a public sidewalk, it is the protesters who should feel like second-class citizens. What is outrageous is the Church of Scientology's hypocrisy. When it suits them, Scientologists claim to be the persecuted minority trying to exert their constitutional rights. In this case, it suits them to deprive other citizens their free speech. Roberto should not let the Church of Scientology bully him. Clearwater police are fully capable of allowing the demonstration and maintaining the peace. Clearwater, Press
December 1, 1997 Scientologists Ask City To Block Picketing Saying it fears violence from a group of protesters, the Church of Scientology is asking city officials to close the sidewalks in front of its downtown headquarters this week. Police Chief Sid Klein rejected the request and has offered to seek a compromise, but the church is appealing Klein's decision to City Manager Mike Roberto. The protesters, meanwhile, say they are the ones who should be fearful. They cited the tactics of an estimated 200 Scientologists who surrounded and taunted them at a similar event in March. Clearwater, Lisa McPherson, Press
December 1, 1997 New York Times: Scientology Faces Glare of Scrutiny After Florida Parishioner's Death After Scientologist Lisa McPherson was kept under 24-hour watch at Scientology headquarters, she died in their custody. Her family sued the church on behalf of her estate, claiming McPherson was held. Lisa McPherson, Press

Press in the News

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May 12, 2006 Polish Scientologists Ordered to Remove Tents When Scientology erected tents in Warsaw's city center to attract new members, city officials ordered them taken down. Press
September 30, 1996 Patrice Vic Trial Begins - Scientology Executive Charged with Manslaughter Trial begins in the death of Patrice Vic. Scientology executive Jean-Jacques Mazier is charged with manslaughter, and 22 other Scientologists also face charges. crimes, deaths, France, Patrice Vic, Press