Court Cases


Operation Snow White

USA v Mary Sue Hubbard et al

USA v Jane Kember and Morris Budlong

Eleven top Scientologists, including L. Ron Hubbard's wife, went to prison for their parts in covert operations against the United States Government.


Gerry Armstrong

Church of Scientology of California v. Gerald Armstrong

Gerry Armstrong was L. Ron Hubbard's official archivist. Part of his official duties were to provide documents about L. Ron Hubbard's background to Hubbard's biographer. When those documents proved that Hubbard was lying about almost every aspect of his life, Scientology threw Armstrong out of the organization, declared him a Suppressive Person and set out to ruin his life.


Lawrence Wollersheim

Lawrence Wollersheim v. Church of Scientology of California

Order on Submitted Motions - May 4, 2001


Steve Fishman

United States of America v. Steven Fishman

Affidavit of Vicki Aznaran - July 18, 1990 (PDF 414k)

Supplemental Affidavit of Vicki Aznaran - June 29, 1993 (PDF 162k)


Lisa McPherson - Criminal Case

State of Fla. v. Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization

Lisa McPherson died after being held for 17 days in Scientology's Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater, Florida.


Lisa McPherson - Civil Case

Estate of Lisa McPherson v. Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization

Lisa McPherson's family launched a civil suit against Scientology.


Cult Awareness Network

Scientology successfully sued CAN into bankruptcy and took over the name, phone munbver and records of the group. Now when someone calls CAN looking for help, the phone is answered by a Scientologist.

CAN Press Release - Filing for bankruptcy - June 20, 1996

Petition for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of Illinois - March 23, 1998


Grady Ward

RTC v. Ward

Grady Ward was sued by Scientology for posting their copyrighted material on the internet newsgroup, alt.religion.scientology.


Howd v. Minton

State of Fla. v. Robert S. Minton

One of Scientology's tactics is to "bull-bait" someone into an action that can be used against that individual. In October of 1999, Richard Howd from Scientology's investigative unit, the Office of Special Affairs, followed Bob Minton throughout the day from Bob's arrival at the Tampa Airport to a picket at the Fort Harrison Hotel. During that picket, Bob was provoked into a response that brought a battery charge against him.

After a two day trial Bob was found not guilty and jury members told the press they felt it was a set-up.


The Clearwater 13

Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization vs. Robert S, Minton et al.

Scientology tried to use the injunction, put in place after the Minton vs Howd incident, to stop all peaceful protests against Scientology in Clearwater, Florida.


Jesse Prince

State of Florida v. Jesse Prince

Jesse Prince was the former second-in-command of Scientology and has been instrumental in exposes the abuses of the leadership of Scientology. While working for the LMT in Clearwater, Florida, Jesse was "befriended" by a Scientology-hired Private Investigator who altered the police that there was a marijuana plant on Jesse's porch.

The resulting trial included testimony from three of Scientology's Private Investigators who were hired to follow Jesse and other members of the LMT on a daily basis. The lead PI in Clearwater, Brian Raftery, testified that he was paid $187,000 a year by Scientology for these services.

Listen to audio of the trial


Mark Bunker

State of Illinois v. Mark Bunker

While in Chicago to interview two dentists who had been defrauded by Scientology, Mark Bunker was arrested on a public sidewalk and charged with criminal trespassing. Scientology's attorney, Elliott Abelson, worked closely with the Illinois prosecutors while Scientology's Office of Special Affairs provided folders of "dead-agent" materials to be used against Mark.


Ursula Caberta

Heller v. Caberta

Summons and complaint for civil trial - July 27, 2000

Motion to dismiss - 8/28/00


ENGLAND

In 1999, Scientology was denied charity status in England and Wales.

Decision of the Commissioners - (PDF 21 k)

Decision of the Charity Commissioners - (PDF 178 k)


GERMAN CASES

Minton v. Church of Scientology et al

Berlin State court decision - 3/27/01

In the matter of libelous information printed about Minton in Freiheit. Scientologist defendants to pay 500,000 DM or 6 months in jail.


Scientology Community of Freiburg vs. City of Freiburg - Public Codes Office

Freiburg Administrative Court decision - 6/6/94

In the matter of Order denying use of street

The decision concerning a fine was overturned - 6/6/94


Scientology Mannheim vs. Karlsruehe Executive Presidium (Regierungspraesidum)

Karlsruhen Administrative Court decision - 1/22/96

Regarding obligation to report commercially


Chick Corea v. State of Baden-Wuerttemberg

Superior Administrative Court decision 10/15/96

Decision regarding negligence, revocation, and identification


Scientology Church Karlsruhe Mission vs. State of Baden-Wuerttemberg

Karlsruhe Administrative Court decision 10/28/96

Also included was a "Representative of the Public Interest" concerning withdrawal of legal capacity.


Dianetics Stuttgart Scientology Church, Inc. vs.
Stuttgart State Capitol - Office of Public Ordinances

Stuttgart Administrative Court decision - 11/10/98

Prohibiting use of street for body routing.


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