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Press in the News

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March 26, 2000 Records Outline Scientology Case The records came in unrelenting batches. Medical studies, scientific research, sworn testimony and more - thousands of pages from the Church of Scientology that Medical Examiner Joan Wood considered over five months before changing her ruling in the 1995 death of Lisa McPherson. Lisa McPherson, Press
January 10, 2000 The Price of Tech: Is There a Ceiling In Sight for Firms On the Cutting Edge? 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. Bryan Zwan, Clearwater, Press, WISE
December 10, 1999 Scientologists Are Refused Charitable Status The Church of Scientology failed in its attempt to become a registered charity because the organisation was not of "public benefit". The Charity Commission rejected the application for charity status after detailed consideration and despite taking a "broad and flexible" view of the law. "The commissioners concluded that the core activities of scientologists - auditing and training - were private in nature and in the benefit they delivered." London, Press, Scientology and Society
December 8, 1999 When Can A Church Be Accused Of A Crime? Lisa McPherson, 36, was a Scientologist who died after being under the church's care in Clearwater in 1995. The state has filed charges of abuse and practicing unlicensed medicine against the church's Flag Service Organization, or simply "Flag." McPherson died that Dec. 5 after 17 days at the church's Fort Harrison Hotel under the supervision of Scientologists. The state says she died of a pulmonary embolism, with dehydration and immobility as contributing factors. The state says her final days featured raving delusions and forced medication. Clearwater, crimes, Lisa McPherson, Press
December 4, 1999 Clinic To Pay Ex-Workers In Bias Case An Arlington veterinary clinic has agreed to end a federal job discrimination lawsuit by splitting a $150,000 settlement among six former employees who said that their advancement was linked to participation in Church of Scientology training sessions. The former employees of the clinic in the 5800 block of West Interstate 20 said that they were pressured to participate in employee training programs developed by the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises. Press, Scientology in the Workplace, WISE
November 25, 1999 Scientology Foe Seeks Protection An outspoken foe of the Church of Scientology is striking back after being hit with an injunction barring him from going near the church's property and members. Minton contends in court papers filed Wednesday that he is the one who needs the protection of an injunction against Scientologists. Minton's attorney, Denis de Vlaming, said an Oct. 31 incident in which his client was charged with misdemeanor battery was the culmination of numerous confrontations over the years. Bob Minton, Clearwater, lawsuits, Press
November 24, 1999 Scientology Prompts Review Of Death Case In an unusual step, Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner Joan Wood has agreed to reconsider her conclusions in the 1995 death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson. The medical examiner's findings are key elements in two court cases against Scientology. Three years after McPherson's death, the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office charged the church's Clearwater operation with two criminal counts: abuse of a disabled adult and practicing medicine without a license. The church also faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by McPherson's family. crimes, Lisa McPherson, Press
November 16, 1999 Scientology Leader Jailed For Fraud Xavier Delamare, a former regional Scientology leader in south-east France, was given a further 18-month suspended sentence by the Marseille court while four other members accused of fraud, violence and illegally practising medicine were given suspended sentences of six months to a year. The verdict marked the end of a decade-long investigation into the group's activities in Marseille and Nice. Church officials were accused by former members of selling bogus "purification" treatments costing between pounds 1,200 and pounds 15,000 but consisting mainly of sessions in the sauna, jogging and vitamin pills. fraud, Marseilles, Press
November 15, 1999 Reuters: French ex-Scientology leader guilty of fraud A French court sentenced a former regional leader of the Church of Scientology to jail for fraud in connection with courses offered by the organisation. crimes, France, Marseilles, Press
November 11, 1999 Board To Soften Drug Resolution Members of the State Board of Education indicated they would soften a resolution about the use of psychiatric drugs by schoolchildren. Mental-health advocates appeared before the board Wednesday to counter a presentation last month by people who claim use of psychotropic drugs causes school violence. Mental-health advocates see the latest developments as a new phase in a long-standing assault on psychiatry with strong ties to the Church of Scientology. Denver, obstructing psychiatry, 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