Scientology On Trial: French Court Will Try Top Members For Fraud

PARIS — The Church of Scientology and seven of its top members are to stand trial in Paris on fraud charges after an investigation into allegations by a former member that the church swindled her out of more than $28,000.

French judicial officials said Monday that the church _ considered a sect in France _ and the seven members are to face charges of "fraud in an organized group" and "illegally acting as a pharmacy." They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. A trial date has not yet been set.

The Paris prosecutor's office had recommended the charges be dropped.

The charges stemmed from a 1998 complaint by a woman who joined the church after she was recruited at a subway station. The woman, 33 at the time, invested thousands of mostly borrowed euros in Scientology courses and so-called purification packs containing vitamins and other pills.

The woman's lawyer, Olivier Morice, hailed the decision to hold a trial as "courageous," saying the case will strengthen France's fight against sects.

France has had a contentious relationship with the Church of Scientology. In 2002, a French court fined the Paris regional branch of the church for a data protection violation but acquitted it of attempted fraud and false advertising charges.

Established in 1945 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the Los Angeles-based Church of Scientology teaches that technology can expand the mind and help solve problems. It claims 10 million members around the world, including celebrity devotees Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

Comments

[victoria]

Here are many interviews of people who left the COS.

http://alley.ethercat.com/door/index.html

[danoj]

Scientology is a cult. The more you pay the more your helped = Cult.

[edgraham]

According to definition, all churches are cults.

This is great. All churches should be sued for fraud, or at least taxed. The beliefs of Scientology are really delusional, but then again, "heal me, Jesus" is also a fairy tale.

All of the most harmful things I was taught as a youth, were in church - - the rest came from school and my parents.

Ed Graham.

[A Watcher]

And which definition would you be referring to, prey tell? Care to back this up? I think you'll find the definitions vary.

Never mind. I found them! For church
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church

And for cult!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

Note the differences, then get back to me.

[martinchill]

"tom.... come on out of the closet, tom. you're not fooling anybody."

[RaisingAwareness]

Scientology spiritual technology has helped me in numerous ways. It's got a million different applications and I use it and apply it whenever I need to and decide to. I've continued to use it over the years because it works very well for me and I gladly pay for classes and services as I get tremendous benefit from it and donate in order to support my Church. I've also helped dozens of individuals with it who were more than happy that I did. My experience is the same experience that most Scientologists have with the tech.

If this French judge thinks that he is going to stop people from reading these books and using it in their daily lives then he's nuts. My suggestion to anyone who thinks they know what Scientology is all about and yet is still very hostile toward it, I say read a book, take a class or get some auditing. If it doesn't work you then discontinue using it. No one is twisting your arm to continue reading books or taking courses. As for me and other Scientologists, don't slander, harass or threaten us or our families because we decide to use it. We can make decisions for ourselves and don't need your approval or for that matter, this judges approval, to practice our religion of choice.

So how long before the Neo-Nazi's come out of the woodwork to attack? I give it about 2 minutes.

[A Watcher]

Raising Awareness- Then perhaps you can explain why the COS is being brought up on charges for fraud in Belgium as well. Or why the COS was shut down in Greece and under investigation in Israel and Austraila. Maybe explain why Jenna Hill, your 'esteemed leaders' niece, has left your organization. Why not visit exscientologykids.com and find out for yourself.

You clearly have nothing new to say that hasn't been said by OSA before. Do you honestly think that, with the THOUSANDS of testimonies of ex-members, victims statements, numerous court documents, eye witness testimonies, taped confessions and video's of assault, that anyone, with an ounce of critical thinking and common sense, who can use a computer and Google is going to BELIEVE you? When you have presented NO EVIDENCE OF PROOF. All you have is an 'It's rubbish because I say so, we're being persecuted BAWWW!'

I hope you were never on the Freewinds. If you were, you might want to see this. http://news.asbestos.com/2008/09/03/mesothelioma-a-concern-for-workers-who-completed-repairs-on-scientology-cruise-ship/

To make matters worse, your 'church's management KNEW ABOUT IT. Blue asbestos is no joke. it can go undetected for years before finally being discovered. After that, it's too late. Go to a doctor and get tested. TODAY.

I

[A Watcher]

RaisingAwareness-Then perhaps you could explain why your 'church' is being investigated for fraud in Belgium as well. Maybe explain why the COS was shut down in Greece, or how it is now being investigated in Israel and Australia. Why did Jenna Hill, niece of your leader David Miscavige, flee the COS with her husband Dallas? How can you explain Astra Woodcraft's accusation that she was told that she would be declared an SP if she didn't abort her unborn child? Why not ask them? Exscientologykids.com is the site to go for those who were born, grew up, and escaped your 'church's' clutches. What do you have to say about the accusations of abuse, the RPF, false imprisonment, denial of health care and a decent education?

What about this letter from Susan Lentsch to Karin Pouw, demanding to see her daughter after being denied the visits she had been promised? http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Blog?blog=41935&oid=889887

I hope you weren't on the Freewinds. Lawrence Woodcraft has stated, in an affidavit that the ship is serious contaminated with blue asbestos. As if that wasn't enough, it would seem some innocent workers from the Netherlands were unknowingly exposed to the deadly carconegin. http://news.asbestos.com/2008/09/03/mesothelioma-a-concern-for-workers-who-completed-repairs-on-scientology-cruise-ship/

[Tequilatarian]

Oh Hai OSA!

[EquinsuOcha]

I'll give you credit, you're one of the better plants that Scientology employs to spread misinformation, but there's a few issues with your post that deserve more discussion.

1. Bringing up a pointless anecdotal references that have nothing to do with the subject of the story.
2. A misdirection argument about being persecuted, even though the sect itself is not on trial, but the actions of the individuals in charge are.
3. Recruitment speech while neglecting to mention that being audited, buying the book or taking a course actually cost a great deal of money, and operates much like a pyramid scam.
4. Failing to mention that even if you do chose to discontinue your interest in the cult, that you will be harassed and persecuted by the very same people who attempted to recruit you (Google "fair game")
5. Again with the self persecution and feigned indignation
6. Ending with a Godwin's Law gives it a nice touch and really brings it all home.

Now, if you want to continue the conversation, I'll gladly debate you on the merits of your statements in regards to the pending litigation. But somehow I doubt you will.

[70sFez]

Great post! Articulate, succinct.

[Mort]

I always thought that churches were supposed minister freely to members. Charging huge fees for classes required to make them "whole" sounds like a business, not a religion. Did Jesus ever charge his disciples to teach or heal them? No, but he did have something to say about people that preach for money. He gave his many gifts, including his life, willingly because of great love. Always for the benefit of his followers and for the glory of God. Never for profit or gain of any kind. And he taught us to walk in his shoes and do the things he did.

[Swerinjer]

All religions are frauds. Scientology is the same scam as christianity or judaism.

[A Watcher]

Except that, if you ever decide to leave Christianity or Judaism, you won't get slapped with a freeloader bill, receive harassing mail and phone calls, be declared an 'SP' (suppressive person), and if you ever decide to go public with what happened to you (via the media, a tell-all book), chances are... you won't end up like Ken Ogger http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?t=23181 or David Miscavige's mother in-law. http://www.xenu-directory.net/victims/barnett1.html

Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_78hgi3Hoo Then follow the top link to Associated Content. Maybe you'll get a clue as to why so many people are up in arms about how truly serious and dangerous this fraud is.

[indyleftist]

How is that different from other religions again?
You don't think that former church members who trash the church in the press get harassed by the Catholic League or other groups like it?

You've never heard of Christians being Ex-communicated? They used to tie people to donkey's and ride them out of town
How about the Amish? Do they ex-communicate?
The Mormons?

[Swerinjer]

Scientologists never killed in the name of god. If anything christianity and judaism are FAR WORSE of a scam than scientology.

[Hirnlego]

Hear hear

[realitycheck7]

people that say this don't know much about scientology

[indyleftist]

Or is it that you don't know much about christianity or judaism?

Its amusing to me as an agnostic to see how quickly people of big religions make fun of smaller ones. I fail to see a major difference, except that the small ones have less power and influence

Do they all not charge money?
Do they all not have corrupt leaders in the church?
Do they all not have silly beliefs and obviously false beliefs?

I've never seen a scientologist on TV arguing for war because of his religion is all I'm saying

[Swerinjer]

Hmm check that...christianity and judaism are WORSe than scientology becase scientologists dont murder in the name of god. christianity and judaism are vastly more despicable.

[A Watcher]

No- they commit murder, fraud, abuse children and the elderly, lie to the public, cover up abuse, infiltrate the US government to destroy documents that are critical of them (Operation Snow White), Fair Game their critics (Paulette Cooper), force underage children to sign billion year contracts and work them to the bone for eighty hours a week and receive little pay, no education and no medical care, violate immigration laws to bring unsuspecting folks in as cheap slave labor, force women of their Sea Organization to get an abortion (www.exscientologykids.com, www.exscn.net) and hide the fact that their private luxury ship is heavily infested with blue asbestos, a deadly carcinogen that can remain undetected in the body for years and is the cause of mesothelioma, a terminal cancer that once diagnosed, the patient has only a few months, if not weeks to live. http://news.asbestos.com/2008/09/03/mesothelioma-a-concern-for-workers-who-completed-repairs-on-scientology-cruise-ship/

Find ONE religion that would would willfully and actively, TODAY, advocate ANY of the above. Not extremists; I'm talking about the REAL Christians, Jews and Muslims who follow the example of peace, compassion and love for their fellow man. In Scientology, it's 'do whatever it takes.' Their doctrine IS to lie, cheat, steal, deceive, walk over whomever you have to. This isn't a religion. It's a criminal organization. They make lofty promises and when they don't deliver, you are left out in the cold.

[indyleftist]

I don't see how she has a case. Have you ever heard a catholic asking for their Tithes back?
That's part of the scam, eventually God needs your credit card number.

As for scientology specifically; I actually would defend them more than most religions.
They're beliefs are not any more silly than anyone other faith IMO
And they have actually done a lot work getting Freedom of Information Act requests from the government on various subjects.

[A Watcher]

Have you ever heard of a Priest threatening to reveal the secrets of a persons confession if the confessor didn't do what the priest demanded them to do? Say, disconnect from a loved one because they disagreed with the 'teachings' of their church?

How about a church that charges through the nose to learn of it's teachings? Or will charge a freeloader bill if the person decides to leave? How about a church that relentlessly stalks, slanders and harasses it's critics, takes them to court and in the process, drives them into the ground financially and emotionally? What about a church that commits various human rights abuses in this day and age? Or a church that hides the fact that their luxury liner is heavily contaminated with blue asbestos? http://news.asbestos.com/2008/09/03/mesothelioma-a-concern-for-workers-who-completed-repairs-on-scientology-cruise-ship/ What about the children of the COS, who are made to suffer from unspeakable abuse? Go to exscientologykids.com to read the stories of people who, growing up in the cult, manage to escape.

The COS IS NOT A RELIGION. It is a CULT. I would STRONGLY ADVISE anyone who reads this to FULLY EDUCATE THEMSELVES about the COS before posting these lazy comments. Claiming they are 'no different than any other religion' is pure ignorance and an INSULT to legitimate religions. This isn't about what other religions have done in the past. This is about what the COS is doing NOW.

[indyleftist]

I've never heard of any priest/citizen confidentiality agreement enforced by law.

All churches charge for their services. I suspect that people like Tom Cruise pay WAY LESS then the 10% demanded by catholics

As for who is a cult, they all have equally crazy beliefs in my eyes, at least the scientologists keep their religion to themselves for the most part

[Deman]

Uh, Inquisition anyone? Witch trials? Anything Scientology is doing now is amateur-hour compared to X-tianity.

The difference is age of the religion. When Christianity was a fledgling cult, it did many nasty things to spread its influence and power, in order to supplant pagansim and compete with other faiths. Now that the Christian church is as rich as balls they don't have to be quite as nasty, they are "legitimized".

[parisblues]

There's an important term in this article that has been mistranslated. The correct English translation of the French word "secte" is not "sect" but "CULT." The French government is going after Scientology as part of its fight against cults.

[bugsbonzai]

When Oh when are these courses going to be hosted on torrents so they become common knowledge like the bible? Millions of copies of copyrighted material are transferred daily using torrents- can we please have somebody leak this stuff to the public forum so these criminals can no longer bilk people for tens of thousands of dollars?

[Tequilatarian]

this is a good place to search...then you can torrent if so inclined:
http://forums.enturbulation.org/123-leaks-legal/

[Phasis]

All the OT levels and other high level courses can now be found on Wikileaks. And many are also hosted on torrents, including audio of just about everything ever written and recorded by L Ron Hubbard himself. Also, go to the leaks and legal section in the forums of www.enturbulation.com for more.

[Phasis]

More on how Scientology gets away with this kind of fraud at www.exscientologykids.com.

[chewie2008]

Scientology ADMITS DEFEAT in Germany

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh5xmsPFxPo

[chewie2008]

Harrasment of German Scientology critic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EYS7SpFTEI

[chewie2008]

Message to Scientology

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbKv9yiLiQ

[bignewf]

France is doing what American should have done a long, long time ago. Shame on America for being duped into believing that scientology is a religion. I don't know about you guys but I instantly roll my eyes as soon as I hear someone is a scientologist (or christian for that matter-both are nutty when you get right down to it. Religion is for suckers, period)

[Stayalert]

I have a co-worker who is Scientologist who claims drunkenly that the COS "religion" cures you from alcoholism and drugs. That you can drink socially after having gone through their de-programming process.
As she drinks more as the day goes on, her friends avoid her calls in the evenings.

She, as I roll my eyes constantly, claims to know Tom, John, knew Isaac Haayes personally as well as all the others. As very close friends.

Well, until I can prove otherwise, maybe she does, but in my book, I don't like name dropping, and until I see those very same people at her house just hangin , then all bets are off.

Grain of salt.

Don't like the cults.

[maying]

It is only in the US that Scientology enjoys "respect". In other parts of the globe it is actually considered a cult.

[Tequilatarian]

For any of those folks around here that like to make fun if France...in this issue they have the balls to go after the cult of Scientology, while the IRS was bullied into granting the cult more rights than any other "religion" in the US.

Vive la France