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November 23, 1985 Scientologists Win Major Court Victory Over Defectors, Documents In a major victory for the Church of Scientology, a federal judge said Friday she will bar breakaway Scientology groups from using confidential church teachings that appear to have been stolen. U.S. District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer said she will issue a preliminary injunction until a trial can be held on a lawsuit brought by the Church of Scientology against defectors who have established rival churches and counseling centers. The Church of Scientology contends the teachings are protected by federal trade secrets law. lawsuits, Press
November 19, 1985 $12,000 Spent On Scientology Course: Suit A Montreal stockbroker who claims he was brainwashed last year by members of the Church of Scientology testified yesterday that he paid $12,000 to the sect for personality courses. Gilles Lanthier told the court that he began having doubts about the sect when he was told to abandon his wife and seek further Scientology instruction in Toronto. lawsuits, Montreal, Press
November 17, 1985 Church Says Interplanetary Tyrant Exists Publication of secret documents that blame the world's troubles on an interplanetary tyrant named Xemu has held the Church of Scientology up to public ridicule. Church leaders vow to prevent further release of secret scriptures in ongoing courtroom battles with opponents the leaders say are attacking the Scientology religion. According to the tracts, Xemu, fighting galactic overpopulation, ordered humans and beings from other planets captured and placed in several large volcanoes. Heber Jentzsch, Larry Wollersheim, lawsuits, Los Angeles, Press, Xenu
November 11, 1985 U.S. Judge Refuses to Block Use of 'Sacred Scriptures' of Scientology U.S. District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer has refused to block the use of "sacred scriptures" the Church of Scientology alleges were stolen from a Denmark church by former members two years ago. Pfaelzer, who had issued a temporary restraining order, said that although she believes that the documents were stolen, church attorneys failed to properly trace their trail from Denmark to the United States. Pfaelzer said she also is reluctant to interfere because the material is key evidence in a $25-million Los Angeles Superior Court fraud case filed against the church by former member Larry Wollersheim. Larry Wollersheim, lawsuits, Los Angeles, Press
November 8, 1985 Scientologist objections to 2nd judge overruled Los Angeles Times: Scientologist objections to 2nd judge overruled lawsuits
November 8, 1985 Scientologist Objections to 2nd Judge Overruled Over their objections, lawyers representing the Church of Scientology in a civil case brought by a former member were ordered Thursday to appear for trial before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Swearinger. Swearinger was the second judge to whom they objected having the case reassigned for trial Thursday after unsuccessfully moving for a continuance or a change of venue on grounds of pretrial publicity. crimes, lawsuits, Los Angeles, Press
November 6, 1985 Court Seals Off Scientology Secrets Detroit Free Press: Court Seals Off Scientology Secrets lawsuits
November 6, 1985 Court Seals Scientology's Secrets Detroit Free Press: Court Seals Scientology's Secrets lawsuits
November 6, 1985 Secrets Of Scientology Revealed In Court Case San Jose Mercury News: Secrets Of Scientology Revealed In Court Case lawsuits
October 8, 1985 Suit Against Scientology Founder Protested Boston Globe: Suit Against Scientology Founder Protested lawsuits