Scientology Critical Information Directory

This site is best viewed using a highly standards-compliant browser

Times slapped with huge libel suit

Title: Times slapped with huge libel suit
Date: Wednesday, 27 March 1974
Publisher: Silver City Daily Press
Main source: link (125 KiB)

Disclaimer: This archive is presented strictly in the public interest for research purposes. All the copyrights of materials reproduced here are the properties of their respective owners.

EL PASO, Tex. (AP) — Narconon Inc. filed a $25 million libel suit Tuesday against El Paso Times reporter Steve Hallock, Times Editor William I. Latham, Gannett Corp., owner of the Times, and El Paso County Atty. George Rodriguez Jr.

The suit, filed in the El Paso district clerk's office, alleges that two articles written by Hallock about Narconon Oct. 28, 1973, were damaging to the organization, which is self-described as a rehabilitator of drug addicts. The suit states the articles were written with the intent to harm Narconon.

The suit further alleges that Rodriguez republished the reports on several occasions with full knowledge that the information in them was false.

Narconon is asking $15 million from all defendants and a supplemental $10 million from Rodriguez.

The suit was submitted by Danny Venzor, executive director of Narconon Inc., of El Paso, Ken Hawkins, establishment secretary of Narconon Inc., Texas, and Bart Cox, attorney.

Narconon has been in operation in El Paso approximately one year.