Scientology in Canada

Al Buttnor/Ken Montgomery Case: 9

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IN THE COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH OF ALBERTA
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF EDMONTON
BETWEEN:
ALLAN ANTHONY BUTTNOR
Plaintiff
- and -
JANICE "KELLY" GARIEPY, REED LEARY
and KEN MONTOGOMERY
Defendants
_STATEMENT OF DEFENCE OF THE DEFENDANT, KEN MONTGOMERY_
1.       The Defendant, Ken Montgomery (hereinafter referred to
as the "Montgomery Defendant"), denies each and every of the
allegations contained in the statement of Claim, or at all, and
puts the Plaintiff to strict proof thereof.
2.       The Montgomery Defendant specifically denies that:
a.  he conspired or agreed with any of the
Defendants to injure the Plaintiff and the
Plaintiff's Church as alleged in Paragraphs 5
and 13 of the Statement of claim, or at all;
b.  he or the Defendant, Reed Leary (hereinafter
referred to as the "Leary Defendant"),
conspired or combined to injure the Plaintiff
and the Plaintiff's Church as alleged in
Paragraphs 5 and 13 of the Statement of Claim,
or at all;
c.  he committed the alleged or any overt acts, and
that he pursued the alleged or any course of
action to injure the Plaintiff and the
Plaintiff's Church as alleged in Paragraphs 5
and 13 of the Statement of Claim, or at all;
d.  he instituted the alleged or any criminal
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proceedings against the Plaintiff as alleged
in Paragraphs 5, 7, 8 and 11 of the Statement
of Claim, or at all;
e.  he arrested or detained the Plaintiff as
alleged in Paragraphs 5, 7, 8 and 11 of the
Statement of Claim, or at all;
f.  he harassed the Plaintiff as alleged in
Paragraphs 5 and 9 of the Statement of Claim,
or at all;
g.  he distributed the alleged or any false and
derogatory information respecting the
Plaintiff's religion as alleged in Paragraphs
5 and 10 of the Statement of Claim, or at all;
h.  he was guilty of the alleged or any negligence
as alleged in Paragraphs 8 and 11 of the
Statement of Claim, or at all;
i.  he displayed the alleged or any improper
conduct as alleged in Paragraph 9 of the
Paragraph 9 of the Statement of Claim, or at
all;
k.  he made any discriminatory remarks respecting
the Plaintiff's religion as alleged in
Paragraph 9 of the Statement of Claim, or at
all.
l.  the Plaintiff sustained the alleged or any
injuries, losses or damages as alleged in
Paragraphs 5, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the
Statement of Claim, or at all.
m.  the Plaintiff's Church and parishioners
sustained the alleged or any injuries, losses
or damages as alleged in Paragraphs 7, 12 and
13 of the Statement of Claim, or at all.
3.       In answer to the allegations contained in Paragraphs 5,
7, 8 and 11 of the Statement of Claim, the Montgomery Defendant
states that the alleged or any criminal proceedings have not
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4.       In answer to the allegations contained in Paragraphs 6,
10 and 11 of the Statement of Claim, the Montgomery Defendant
states that the _Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms_ and the
_Canadian Bill of Rights_ do not apply to the Plaintiff's alleged
cause of action against the Defendants, and the Montgomery
Defendant pleads and relies on Section 32 of the _Canadian Charter
of Rights and Freedoms_, and on Sections 2 and 5(2) of the _Canadian
Bill of Rights_.
5.       Further, or in the alternative, if the _Canadian Charter
of Rights and Freedoms_, and the _Canadian Bill of Rights_ apply to the
Plaintiff's alleged cause of action, which is not admitted but
specifically denied, the Montgomery Defendant specifically denies
that he deprived the Plaintiff of the alleged or any fundamental
freedoms and rights as alleged in Paragraphs 6, 10 and 11 of the
Statement of Claim, or at all.
6.       In answer to the whole of the Statement of Claim, the
Montgomery Defendant states that he was not involved in the alleged
or any investigation, arrest or detention of the Plaintiff, and
further states that he was not involved in the institution of the
alleged or any criminal proceedings against the Plaintiff.
7.       Save as expressly admitted herein, each and every of the
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other allegations contained in the Statement of Claim is
specifically denied.
WHEREFORE THE DEFENDANT, KEN MONTGOMERY, PRAYS that the
Plaintiff's action against him be dismissed with costs.
DATED at the City of Edmonton, in the Province of
Alberta, this 3rd day of April, 1991, AND DELIVERED BY Messrs.
Brownlee Fryett, Barristers and Solicitors, Suite 2300, Canada
Trust Tower, 10104 - 103 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, TSJ 3X7,
Solicitors for the Defendant, Ken Montgomery, whose address for
service is in care of the said Solicitors.
AND BETWEEN:
KEN MONTGOMERY
Plaintiff by Counterclaim
- and -
ALLAN ANTHONY BUTTNOR and CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF ALBERTA
Defendants by Counterclaim
_COUNTERCLAIM_
1.       The Plaintiff by Counterclaim (hereinafter referred to
as "Montgomery") resides in the City of Edmonton, in the Province
of Alberta.
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2.       The Defendant by Counterclaim, Allan Anthony Buttnor
(hereinafter referred to as "Buttnor"), so far as is known to
Montgomery, resides in the City of Edmonton, in the Province of
Alberta.
3.       The Defendant by Counterclaim, Church of Scientology of
Alberta (hereinafter referred to as the "Church"), is a body
corporate duly incorporated pursuant to the _Companies Act_.
4.       Montgomery is an individual duly appointed to the
Edmonton Police Service as a police officer pursuant to the _Police
Act_, S.A. 1988, c. P-12.01, as amended.
5.       In performing his duties as a police officer assigned to
the Edmonton Integrated Intelligence Unit, Montgomery investigates
"cult, occult, ritualistic and religious influence crime".
6.       In carrying out his function as a police officer
investigating "cult, occult, ritualistic and religious influence
crime", Montgomery advises, assists and instructs police officers,
peace officers, and health, education, and social care
professionals.
7.       On or about the 23rd day of January, 1991, at Buttnor's
initiative and request, Montgomery and Reed Leary (hereinafter
referred to as "Leary") met with Buttnor, the Church's Director of
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Special Affairs, for approximately one hour at Jamie's Dining Room,
in the City of Edmonton, in the Province of Alberta, as Buttnor
advised that he would supply information respecting the Church.
During the course of the said meeting, Buttnor provided information
respecting the Church, and was clearly advised of Montgomery's
investigative role in detecting and preventing "cult, occult,
ritualistic and religious influence crime".
8.       On or about the 6th day of March, 1991, at Buttnor's
initiative and request, Montgomery and Leary met with Buttnor and
Susan Kerr (hereinafter referred to as "Kerr"), the Church's
Regional Director of Special Affairs, for approximately one hour
at Hanratty's Tea and Pastry Shop, in the City of Edmonton, in the
Province of Alberta, as Buttnor advised that he wanted to introduce
Montgomery and Leary to Kerr. During the course of the said
meeting, Buttnor and Kerr were advised that Montgomery and Leary
would not answer questions relating to any alleged investigation
of the Church.
9.       On or about the 8th day of March, 1991, Montgomery
discovered that criminal proceedings had been instituted against
Buttnor.
10.      On or about the 8th day of March, 1991, Montgomery
received a telephone call from Kerr requesting a meeting with
Montgomery and Leary.
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11.      On or about the 13th day of March, 1991, Montgomery and
Leary met with Kerr, Hilarie Rockl (hereinafter referred to as
"Rockl"), of the Church's "Sea-Org", and Mark Gardner (hereinafter
referred to as "Gardner"), of the Church's "Legal Section", for
approximately one hour, at the offices of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, in the City of Edmonton, in the Province of
Alberta. During the course of the said meeting, Kerr, Rockl and
Gardner were clearly informed that Montgomery was not involved in
the investigation, arrest or detention of Buttnor, and that
Montgomery was not involved in the institution of criminal
proceedings against Buttnor in response to allegations to the
contrary.
12.      By letter dated the 18th of March, 1991, and signed
by Kerr, the Church falsely and maliciously wrote and published or
caused to be written and published of and concerning Montgomery to
the Edmonton Police Service and to the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, the following words:
a.  "certain abuses by these two IIU officers in
their dealings with the Church  ...  highly
irregular and ... outrageous";
b.  "blatant examples of abuse";
c.  "ridiculed the practice and beliefs of the
religion of Scientology";
d.  "used profanity";
e.  "improper and rude behaviour";
f.  "phoned me to harass me about the whereabouts
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of one of our ministers ..."
g.  "the whole attitude of these two officers in
their various conversations with us was that
of ridicule of the beliefs and practice of our
religion and our Church";
h.  "there were several attempts to make belittling
and insulting comments in order to divert the
member of the Church from getting their
questions answered";
i.  "I am lodging this as the spokesperson for the
Church ... due to the above improper actions,
allegations and harassment directed against my
religion";
j.  "Detectives Leary and Montgomery are far
exceeding their duties and powers and while
abusing their office, are taking
discriminatory actions against a religion."
13.      On or about the 20th day of March, 1991, Buttnor and the
Church issued the within Statement of Claim against Montgomery,
when they knew or ought to have known that Montgomery was not
involved in the investigation, arrest or detention of Buttnor, and
that Montgomery was not involved in the institution of criminal
proceedings against Buttnor.
14.      By the publication of the said words, and by the reckless
and malicious issuance of the within Statement of Claim, Montgomery
has been greatly injured in his credit, character and reputation
in the community, and in his profession as a duly appointed police
officer.
15.      Buttnor and the Church published the defamatory words and
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issued the defamatory Statement of Claim out of malice towards
Montgomery, and with the deliberate intention of discrediting his
personal and professional reputation, and to expose Montgomery to
great distress, embarrassment, and loss of reputation. Montgomery
pleads that the conduct of Buttnor and the Church entitles him to
aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages.
16.      Montgomery pleads and relies upon the _Defamation Act_,
R.S.A. 1980, c. D-6, as amended.
17.      Further, or in the alternative, Buttnor and the Church
instituted the within proceedings maliciously and solely for the
purpose of pressuring Montgomery into discontinuing any alleged
investigation of the Church, and for the purpose of injuring
Montgomery's credit, character and reputation, and his profession
as a duly appointed police officer.
18.      The conduct of Buttnor and the Church amounts to an abuse
of process for which Montgomery is entitled to damages.
19.      Further, or in the alternative, Buttnor and the Church
instituted the within proceedings without reasonable or probable
cause and maliciously, and the conduct of Buttnor and the Church
amounts to a malicious prosecution for which Montgomery is entitled
to damages.
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20.      As a result of the abuse of the process and malicious
prosecution, Montgomery has been greatly injured in his credit,
character, and reputation in the community, and in his profession
as a duly appointed police officer.
21.      Buttnor and the Church's abuse of process constitutes a
wanton and outrageous disregard of Montgomery's rights, for which
Montgomery is entitled to an award of punitive and exemplary
damages.
22.      Montgomery pleads and relies on the _Judgment Interest
Act_, S.A. 1984, c. J-0.5, as amended.
23.      Montgomery proposes that the trial of this action be held
at the Law Courts Building, in the City of Edmonton, in the
Province of Alberta.
WHEREFORE THE PLAINTIFF BY COUNTERCLAIM CLAIMS:
a.  General and Aggravated Damages in the sum of
$50,000.00;
b.  Punitive and exemplary damages in the sum of $50,000.00;
c.  Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest
pursuant to the _Judgment Interest Act_, S.A.
1984, c. J-0.5, as amended;
d.  Costs of this action; and
e.  Such further and other relief as this
Honourable Court deems appropriate.
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DATED at the City of Edmonton, in the Province of
Alberta, this 3rd day of April, 1991, AND DELIVERED BY Messrs.
Brownlee Fryett, Barristers and Solicitors, Suite 2300, Canada
Trust Tower, 10104 - 103 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3X7,
Solicitors for the Plaintiff by Counterclaim, whose address for
service is in care of the said Solicitors.
ISSUED out of the Office of the Clerk of the Court of
Queen's Bench of Alberta, Judicial District of Edmonton, this 3rd
day of April, 1991.
-----------------------------------
Clerk of the Court of Queen's Bench
of Alberta
Action No.: 9103 05525 A.D. 1991
TO: THE DEFENDANTS BY COUNTERCLAIM:     --------------------------------
ALLAN ANTHONY BUTTNOR and               IN THE COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF ALBERTA        OF ALBERTA
You are hereby notified that            JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF EDMONTON
the Plaintiff may enter
Judgment in accordance with             --------------------------------
this Statement of Claim or such         BETWEEN:
Judgment as, according to the
Practice of the Court, he is            ALLAN ANTHONY BUTTNOR
entitled to, without any further                               Plaintiff
notice to you unless within                          - and -
FIFTEEN (15)                            JANICE "KELLY" GARIEPY, REED LEARY
and KEN MONTGOMERY
days after service hereof upon                                Defendants
you (excluding the day of service)
you cause to be filed in the Office     AND BETWEEN:
of the Clerk of this Court from which
the Statement of Claim has issued,      KEN MONTGOMERY
Plaintiff by Counterclaim
1.)  A Statement of Defence; or
2.)  A Demand that notice of any
Application to be made in the action    ALLAN ANTHONY BUTTNOR and
be given you;                           CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY OF ALBERTA
Defendants by Counterclaim
And unless within the same time a copy
of your Statement of Defence or Demand
of Notice is served upon the Plaintiff  --------------------------------
or his Solicitor at his stated address  STATEMENT OF DEFENCE OF THE
DEFENDANT, KEN MONTGOMERY, AND
for service.                            COUNTERCLAIM
--------------------------------
This Counterclaim is issued by:
MESSRS. BROWNLEE FRYETT
Barristers and Solicitors
Solicitors for the Plaintiff by         BROWNLEE FRYETT
Counterclaim who resides at             Barristers & Solicitors
EDMONTON, Alberta                       2300 Canada Trust Tower
And whose address for service is        10104 - 103 Avenue
Suite 2300 Canada Trust Tower           EDMONTON, Alberta
10104 - 103 Avenue                      T5J 3X7
EDMONTON, Alberta T5J 3X7
And is addressed to the Defendant by    File:  43,754-001
Counterclaim whose residence so far as
known to the Plaintiff by Counterclaim is:           (seal)
EDMONTON, Alberta                              FILED APR-3 1991
DISTRICT OF EDMONTON

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Martin Hunt / martinh@islandnet.com / August 15 1997

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