EDMONTON (CP) — The Church of Scientology has been ruled in contempt of court for failing to present financial records to seven Albertans it is suing. Mr. Justice L. D. MacLean of the Court of Queen's Bench also ordered the church to proceed with its defamation action against the defendants after labelling the 1/2-year court delay "absolutely ridiculous." He said the Church of Scientology must appear ready for a two-week trial on Oct. 6 or its action, launched in 1976, will ...

Church of Scientology members planned to discredit a high-level official in the California attorney general's office in Los Angeles with a bizarre undercover operation involving a pregnant woman, a phony nun and a fake bribery kickback, according to documents obtained by the Herald Examiner. The church's records of "Operation Snapper" — part of 100,000 pages of documents seized by the FBI in Los Angeles three years ago — identified the target at Lawrence Tapper, deputy attorney general in charge of the ...

CLEARWATER — The American Softball Association may be asked to strip the Church of Scientology of eligibility to play in the city of Clearwater-sponsored church softball league. Jim Altaffer, the association's Metro Commissioner, said the group of Clearwater-area church representatives wants the association to declassify the Scientology team as a church team and place it in the city's regular non-religious city league. The churches believe that Scientology is not a bona fide religion. The Scientologists say they are and add that ...

CLEARWATER — Donald Haigler, a 23-year old Scientologist torn between love for his parent, and his religious sect, has reaffirmed his belief in Scientology. In a telephone interview Friday afternoon, the young Haigler said he loves his parents and is willing to see them frequently but he will not forsake Scientology, and he will not get involved with alleged "deprogramers," such as Nan McLean. Leon and Kathleen Haigler, who came to Clearwater with Mrs. McLean in hopes of convincing their son ...

For the second time, Circuit Judge John S. Andrews has ordered Church of Scientology guardian Douglas Sadwick to appear in court to face possible contempt charges. Friday's order stemmed from Sadwick's continued refusal to cooperate in a criminal investigation of members of the Church of Scientology. On Monday, Andrews sentenced Sadwick to 90 days an jail for contempt of court. Sadwick is appealing the decision. Now Sadwick faces another possible jail sentence for his refusal to answer a series of questions ...

CLEARWATER — Tears of joy mingled with beads of sweat under a warm noontime gun Thursday when a young Scientologist embraced his father and mother on the steps of Clearwater City Hall. Crowded around them were officials of the Church of Scientology, church critics, news people and residents. No one interfered as the emotional seconds passed, and tears streamed quietly down the relieved faces of the family members. For Leon and Kathleen Haigler, a retired couple from Fairfax. Va., the embrace ...

CLEARWATER — Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney James T. Russell said Tuesday that members of the Church of Scientology have attempted to infiltrate his office at least five times since 1976. The alleged infiltration attempts failed because routine background checks on the job applicants revealed that hey were members of the Church of Scientology, Russell said. Asked if it was legal to turn down job applicants solely because they are Scientologists, Russell said, "I don't know, but I'd like to fight a lawsuit ...

The faithful inner core serve as thieves, decoys and spies. The shocking story behind one of the most dangerous “religious cults” operating today IN THE late 1940s, pulp writer L. Ron Hubbard declared, “Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million, the best way would be to start his own religion.” Hubbard did start his own religion, calling it the “Church of Scientology,” and it has grown into an enterprise today grossing ...

CLEARWATER — Church of Scientology spokesman Milt Wolfe went to jail Thursday for refusing to cooperate in an investigation involving alleged racketeering, infiltration and harassment by church members. Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge John S. Andrew, found Wolfe in contempt of court and sentenced him to 45 days for repeatedly refusing to answer a question put to him by investigators from State Attorney James T. Russell's office. ANDREWS ALSO refused to set bail for Wolfe, pending his appeal of the contempt citation, a ...

CLEARWATER — Facing possible contempt charges, Church of Scientology spokesman Milton Wolfe and a colleague submitted Friday to questioning by Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney James T. Russell's office. Wolfe and Ted Froyland, an officer of the church's Ministry of Legal Affairs, were jailed briefly Thursday afternoon for refusing to respond to subpoenas issued by Circuit Judge David Patterson. Russell said he wanted to question the two about a complaint they lodged against Clearwater City Commissioner Richard Tenney and in connection with a ...

The Church of Scientology is apparently pulling out all the stops in a worldwide effort to block publication of a forthcoming Reader's Digest article critical of the church. Fearful that such an article in an 18-million circulation magazine would be damaging to Scientology, church officials have: * Instituted legal action against Reader's Digest in South Africa and reportedly in West Germany in an effort to block distribution of the may issue in those countries. * Threatened to sue Reader's Digest offices ...

CLEARWATER — Church of Scientology spokesman Milt Wolfe and another church official were jailed Thursday for failing to respond to subpoenas by Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney James T. Russel. Wolfe and Ted Froyland, an official of the church's Ministry of Legal Affairs, were taken into custody by detectives from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office at 3 p.m., according to sheriff's spokesman Merrill Stebbins. After spending less than two hours in custody, the two Scientologists were released on their own recognisance by Circuit ...

The Church of Scientology first moved into Riverside County when it opened a mission in Riverside in 1972. Later, it was revealed that the Church had a secret operation at La Quinta, near Indio. Now, from court records, it has been learned the church has established its worldwide command center at Gilman Hot Springs near Hemet. Here is the second of a two parts on the Gilman operation. ''[I do not have the first part of this special Gilman coverage. Of ...

On Dec. 13, former Scientologist LaVenda Van Schaick filed a $200-million class-action lawsuit against the Church of Scientology in Federal Court in Boston, contending that the church falsely promises to improve the lives of its members. Since then, 10 other ex-Scientologists have filed affidavits in support of the suit, giving a glimpse of life within Scientology. The church has filed a motion to dismiss that case. It also sued Mrs. Van Schaick and others, contending that she is "motivated by malice." ...

''On Dec. 13, former Scientologist LaVenda Van Schaick filed a $200-million class-action lawsuit against the Church of Scientology in Federal Court in Boston, contending that the church falsely promises to improve the lives of its members. Since then, 10 other ex-Scientologists have filed affidavits in support of the suit, giving a glimpse of life within Scientology. The church has files motion to dismiss that case. It also sued Mrs. Van Schaick and others, contending that she is "motivated by malice." Last ...

RIVERSIDE (AP)—Charges against five Scientologists accused of grand theft and conspiracy in an alleged multimillion-dollar loan fraud scheme were dismissed by a Riverside Municipal Court judge. Judge John H. Barnard made the ruling Monday at the conclusion of a two-day preliminary hearing in which the five, all former high-ranking members of Scientology's Riverside Mission, had been accused of either lying or counseling others to lie on loan applications to nine banks and loan companies. The money assertedly was to go to ...

AFFIDAVIT OF SILVANA GARRITANO I was introduced to Scientology in October, 1977, when I went to the New York Church to take a "Communications Course". The "registrar" (a euphemism for salesman) was Jerry Indursky. He told me that my problem was a lack of assertiveness, that I did not speak up for myself. Indursky promised me Scientology would remedy that problem and I would emerge from the Communications Course a happier, more successful person because I could stand up for myself. ...

AFFIDAVIT OF MARJORIE HANSEN I, Marjorie Hansen of Hanover, Massachusetts depose and state as follows: On or about April 16, 1978, I was walking on Boylston Street in Boston when I was approached by a man named Kevin, who asked me if I would consent to taking a "Personality Survey". Kevin stated that he was working on the survey for some college courses he was taking. He then led me to a building on Beacon Street which I later found out ...

AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES GERVAIS I, James Gervais, state the following under the pains and penalties of perjury: 1. My introduction to Scientology was in July of 1973, when many representations were made to me concerning the benefits of "auditing" and Scientology. 2. The following representations were made to me relative to benefits allegedly provided by Scientology and "auditing". a) raise my IQ; b) cure diseases and mental illness; c) solve drug problems and other personal problems; d) stabilize and promote familial ...

AFFIDAVIT OF ANNE ROSENBLUM In December, 1972, after my first semester of college (in the state of Washington), I was introduced to Scientology when another Scientologist encouraged me to take a "Personality Test" at the Portland "Org". I was given a poor evaluation on the test. I later learned, however, that it is a customary practice of the "Church" to give one a poor evaluation on the test in order to induce the person into Scientology processing. The Scientologists also told ...