Press

Press in the News

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November 28, 1996 Church Accused of Fraud and False Finances Roger paid pounds 3,100 for more auditing and courses on credit cards and took out a building society loan for pounds 500. When Roger complained that the auditing was still not tackling his homosexuality, they suggested he undertake "life repair" - intensive auditing - for pounds 1,300. By 1993, the difficulties were getting on top of him, and the only way out seemed to be to join the Scientologists' elite corps, the Sea Org, where he undertook the "billion year contract" whereby he committed himself to Scientology for several reincarnations. Press
November 23, 1996 French Scientologist Sentenced After Church Member's Suicide The founder and former head of the Church of Scientology in Lyons was convicted of fraud and involuntary homicide today in the death of a church member who committed suicide after going heavily into debt to pay the sect for counseling sessions. A French tribunal sentenced the defendant, Jean-Jacques Mazier, to serve 18 months in prison, with an additional 18 months suspended, and fined him $100,000. The eight-day trial, in the first week of October, also examined charges of fraud, attempted fraud or aiding and abetting fraud against 22 other church officials or supporters involved in its activities in France. crimes, France, Patrice Vic, Press
November 18, 1996 With New Zeal, France Screens Religious Sects French police estimate that there are some 250 sects in France, representing 160,000 members and 100,000 sympathizers. The government's criteria for what it calls a sect include: mental destabilization; exorbitant financial demands; a break with job, family, or friends; dangers to health; indoctrination of children; antisocial discourse; disturbing public order; troubles with the law; embezzlement; infiltration of government. France, Press, Scientology and Society
November 3, 1996 Residents and Church Members Oppose ADAMH's Levy Request May, a Clintonville resident and Scientologist, said the opposition is not an "official activity" of the church. But graphs and information on fliers are identical to those found in a publication paid for by the Church of Scientology. "Some of this literature says psychiatry is the source of violence, racism and the Holocaust," Cass said. obstructing psychiatry, Press
October 30, 1996 Bavaria Asks Disclosure of Scientology Ties The southern state of Bavaria said today that it would require all state employees to fill out a questionnaire detailing any tie to the Church of Scientology. The state chancellery said all applicants for state jobs, including teachers and police officers, would not be hired if they refused. Those already employed would face disciniplary measures if they declined. The move is part of a long-running effort by German authorities to stifle the influence here of the Scientologists. German authorites have charged that the group is a profit-making scheme and have denied it the tax breaks normally given churches and charities. Germany, Press, Scientology and Society
October 27, 1996 Herald Tribune Staffers Protest Scientology Ad Members of the International Herald Tribune staff bought space in their own newspaper Saturday to protest a prospective advertising campaign by the Church of Scientology and say it did not reflect the daily's values. Buffalo, Press, Scientology and Society
October 18, 1996 Scientology Ad 'Insults Jews' Germany's Jewish community accused the Church of Scientology of insulting this country and victims of the Nazis in an advertisement in The New York Times. Germany, Press, Scientology and Society
October 8, 1996 Cult Watchers Await Verdict French campaigners against cults are hoping for legislation against "mental manipulation" if the country's scientology leader is found guilty today of the involuntary manslaughter of a follower who died after jumping from a 12th floor window. After a 10-day trial, a court in Lyon will decide whether Jean-Jacques Mazier had a role in the 31-year-old disciple's suicide in 1988. It will also rule on fraud charges against 23 other leading members of the organisation. crimes, France, Patrice Vic, Press
June 29, 1996 Los Angeles Times: Cult Fighters' Future in Doubt Plagued by numerous lawsuits from religious groups and fighting a $1.1-million judgment against it, the Cult Awareness Network filed for bankruptcy. Kendrick Moxon, Los Angeles, CA, Press
April 18, 1996 Scientology Told to Pay Fees in Copyright Suit Saying that the Church of Scientology has been playing "fast and loose with the judicial system," a federal appeals court has ordered the religious organization to pay nearly $3 million in attorneys fees to a former member it sued after he formed his own splinter group. harassment, lawsuits, 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