lawsuits

lawsuits in the News

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October 29, 2004 Subway-Tology! MTA Poster Full Of Plugs For Religion A poster being sold to mark the 100th anniversary of the subway has an underground message - and it has nothing to do with trains. The poster, which depicts a crowded Times Square subway station, contains what seems like an endless number of plugs for the controversial Church of Scientology. The poster also showcases at least half a dozen Web sites with connections to Scientology. lawsuits, Montreal, Press, Scientology and Society
April 10, 2004 Jewish Couple Sue IRS, Seek To Deduct Cost Of Children's Religious Education In their lawsuit, Michael and Marla Sklar of Los Angeles contend the IRS erred by disallowing their tax deduction claim when the agency permits Scientologists to write off the cost of spiritual counseling and instruction on that religion's tenets. "You have a particular sect that's being favored by the state based on religion," said Michael Sklar, an accountant. The case "will have enormous ramifications whatever the ruling is. I didn't do this for the $3,000 that's at stake." lawsuits, Press, taxes, United States
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 13, 2002 Woman Critical of Church's 'Manipulative' Techniques A woman who is suing the Church of Scientology told the High Court yesterday she did not criticise Scientologists in general but took issue with the techniques devised by the church's founder and used in the pursuit of its activities. Ms Mary Johnston said the church was engaged in a personal and vindictive campaign against her. Her issue was with the coercive and manipulative techniques devised by the founder of the church, L Ron Hubbard, and used in pursuit of its activities. Ms Johnston said Hubbard had written that anyone who was antagonistic to Scientology could be tricked, sued, lied to, cheated or destroyed. Dublin, lawsuits
December 12, 2002 Church of Scientology 'Coercive' A woman who is suing the Church of Scientology for damages told the High Court yesterday she was distressed to recall that a man became unconscious while she was giving him an "auditing" session. She described the church as "coercive" and "destructive". She has sued the church and three of its members for damages alleging personal injury, breach of constitutional rights. Dublin, lawsuits
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 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