The LMT - Scientology and the Legal System

Scientology and the Legal System

L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Dianetics and Scientology, had specific views of the law.

Hubbard taught that "The law can be used very easily to harass, and enough harassment on somebody who is simply on the thin edge anyway… will generally be sufficient to cause his professional decease. If possible, of course, ruin him utterly."

- Magazine Articles on Level 0 Checksheet, "Dissemination of Material" page 55

"A suit filed is not a completed cycle of action," said Hubbard. "A suit ended is a completed cycle of action only when we will never hear of it again. An opponent whipped or arrested is a completed cycle of action."

- HCOPL of 25 Feb. 1968, "Legal Statistic"

Hubbard stated that those who were declared enemies of Scientology were "fair game" and could be "tricked, sued, or lied to or destroyed" [HCOPL of 18 October 1967, Issue IV "Penalties for Lower Conditions"]

Hubbard taught that bringing someone into court is one of the pivotal tools of these attacks.

Scientology has consistently followed Hubbard's secret directives as those just mentioned.

For instance, Paulette Cooper wrote a book, "The Scandal of Scientology," and was attacked.

Scientology filed 18 lawsuits against her, according to Cooper, and "Operation Freakout" was applied to her to get her incarcerated.

Only after an FBI raid of Scientology in 1977 revealed this operation was Cooper finally exonerated of the false charges.

Watch Paulette Cooper's testimony at the 1982 Clearwater Hearings

When L. Gene Allard left Scientology and went to the authorities with information he believed showed illegality on the part of Scientology, the organization accused him of theft of money from a safe and Allard was arrested and held 21 days before being released with no charges filed. Allard sued Scientology for malicious prosecution and won.

Los Angeles Times, "Scientology critics Assail Belligerence" August 28, 1978

Scientologists, in a coordinated effort, filed dozens of lawsuits against the Cult Awareness Network, claiming discrimination. These suits dried up CAN's insurance, when a final suit managed by Scientologist attorney Kendrick Moxon hit the final blow, and CAN had to file for bankruptcy.

"CAN forced to bankruptcy while seeking reversal of civil case", Cult Awareness Network newsletter, October 1995

Also in the 1990s the homes of Dennis Erlich and Arnie Lerma were separately raided by Scientology utilizing copyright laws and many documents, hard drives, and other items were taken.

Both raids were later ruled unlawful and were overturned, with Scientology ordered to return the seized items.

Judges have given Scientology an earful for such tactics. For instance, in Religious Technology Center - a Scientology corporation - vs. Robin Scott, the court stated that the RTC has a "documented history of vexatious behavior" and abuses "the federal court system by using it, inter alia, to destroy their opponents, rather than to resolve an actual dispute over trademark law or any other legal matter."

RTC vs Scott, Nos. 94-55781 & No. 94-55920; 1996 U.S. App. LEXIS 8954 (9th Cir. 1996)

"Plaintiffs have abused the federal court system by using it, inter alia, to destroy their opponents, rather than to resolve an actual dispute over trademark law or any other legal matter. This constitutes 'extraordinary, malicious, wanton and oppressive conduct.' As such, this case qualifies as an 'exceptional case' and fees should be awarded pursuant to the Lanham Act... It is abundantly clear that plaintiffs sought to harass the individual defendants and destroy the church defendants through massive over-litigation and other highly questionable litigation tactics. The Special Master has never seen a more glaring example of bad faith litigation than this."

RTC v. Robin Scott, U. S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 85-711-JMI (Bx) 85-7197-JMI (Bx), January 20, 1993, Memorandum of Decision

Scientology maintains and follows the secret directives of L. Ron Hubbard that order the organization to utilize the court system as a tool against its enemies. Not only is the public not aware of these directives, but also the majority of Scientologists have no idea that they exist.