Press

Press in the News

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January 18, 2003 Lawsuit Grinds To Another Delay After six years, it finally appeared the wrongful death suit against the Church of Scientology was headed for trial, but a clearly frustrated judge postponed the highly publicized case once again, probably for at least several months. Schaeffer granted the delay so the church could appeal her earlier ruling that Ken Dandar should not be disqualified as attorney for the estate of Lisa McPherson, the church member who died in 1995 after 17 days in the care of Scientologists in Clearwater. Clearwater, crimes, lawsuits, Lisa McPherson, Press
December 11, 2002 Church Pressure Not Raised On Talk Show A woman who is suing the Church of Scientology has been cross-examined at length in the High Court about why she had not spoken about the alleged pressure put on her by the church when interviewed on RT's Late Late Show in February 1995. Ms Johnston is suing the church and three of its members for damages for personal injuries, breach of constitutional rights and conspiracy. Dublin, lawsuits, Press
December 10, 2002 Controversial Church Sued A Dublin woman who claims she was brainwashed by the Church of Scientology has begun a High Court legal action for damages. She is now suing the organization because of the experiences and pressures she claims she suffered while a member and because of threats and intimidation she claims to have suffered when she tried to leave. She is also claiming a breach of her constitutional rights, defamation and conspiracy by the church. Dublin, lawsuits, Press
December 8, 2002 Scientologists Bid To Recruit Students Cult members posing as health workers have been targeting students at University College Dublin in a membership drive. The controversial Church of Scientology has been using anti-drug pamphlets in a bid to open contact with thousands of potential members. The leaflets, delivered to the students' union of University College Dublin, all have contact numbers for cult members printed on them. A Scientology spokesman admitted the pamphlets had two aims - firstly, to stop drug usage and secondly to promote Scientology. Dublin, Press, Scientology and Society
December 6, 2002 Church Pressed Woman To Sell Shop, Court Told A woman who is suing the Church of Scientology has told the High Court she had been encouraged to sell her business to pay for courses which would advance her within the organisation and which would cost about (pounds) 9,200 sterling. As a result of her involvement with the church, she became withdrawn from her family and friends. She tried to recruit people into scientology but was unsuccessful in most cases. She had many rows with her boyfriend in which she "screamed, shouted, ranted and raved". Her short-term memory started to be affected. Dublin, lawsuits, Press
December 5, 2002 Scientology Case Woman Tells Of Abortion Confession A woman who is suing the Church of Scientology told the High Court yesterday she became very distressed during a church "auditing session" in 1992 and had recounted an event that nobody else knew about her, that she had been pregnant and had had an abortion. What really disturbed her was that, far from feeling relieved at the end of the session, she actually felt anxious and concerned. Dublin, lawsuits, Press
December 4, 2002 Court Told Woman Suffered Personality Change A woman suffered a personality change after she was sucked into the grasp of the Church of Scientology and subjected to mind-control techniques, the High Court was told yesterday. Ms Mary Johnson has sued the church for damages. Among courses Ms Johnson reluctantly signed up for was a "purification rundown", the court heard. The starting point for entry to the church was a personality test which was "not a proper psychological test". Dublin, lawsuits, Press, Purification Rundown
November 30, 2002 The Myth Of 'Good Drugs' and 'Bad Drugs' Scientologist Luke Catton writes, "All drugs are essentially poisons; the degree they are taken determines the effect. Most drugs simply mask the pain and discomfort for which they are taken and don't actually 'cure' anything." Press
November 21, 2002 Prison Drug Program To Be Studied About 100 female legislators from the United States will visit the state prison in Ensenada today to see firsthand the results of a program for drug-addicted inmates. The state began the program, called Segunda Oportunidad, or Second Opportunity, seven years ago, based on the Church of Scientology's prisoner rehabilitation program, called Narconon. It is based on the philosophies of the late L. Ron Hubbard. Narconon, Press
November 16, 2002 Ruling Puts 'No Win, No Fee' Cases In Doubt Master James Flynn yesterday ruled that two bills for costs before him in a legal action against the Church of Scientology (COS) and others should be taxed at "nil" as the defendants (who had been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay costs) could, he held, have no greater liability than the person who sued them. The ruling could have serious implications for the legal profession. Ms Johnston had claimed she had suffered a distinct personality change after being subjected to what she alleged were COS mind control techniques. She sued COS and three named persons for damages. Ireland, lawsuits, Press

Press in the News

Date Titlesort icon Blurb Tags
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