Big Losses for Scientology around the
world
Scientologists are strongly encouraged to rely on only one source for
information about Scientology: the cult hierarchy with its enormously
biased publications and statements. If you only get your news from
Scientology, you get the impression that the organisation is having
nothing but "Big Wins"- tremendous successes. This page brings
you the stories
that you will find in some conventional news media, but not in "Freedom
Magazine" or "Ability".
USA, March 1997
An
extensive investigation by New York Times journalists finds evidence
that the cult obtained tax exemption by harassment of members of the
IRS.
Italy, January 1997
29 Scientologists
go to jail for criminal association
USA, January 1997
Judge Brinkema denies to
award Scientology attorney fees in
the RTC-vs-Lerma case. Scientology spent $1,740,000 on the case, which
resulted in Arnie Lerma being fined $2,500.
Germany, 1993-1996
Too many
disasters to list here.
The World, 1996
A bad year all round! (SUMMARY)
France, November 1996
The head of the Lyon
branch of Scientology is jailed and
fined half a million francs for his role in the suicide of a member.
Greece, October 1996
Greek
authorities shut down the Scientology centre, finding that it had
abused religious tax-exempt status.
Russia, October 1996
Tax authorities raid
the St. Petersburg Scientology Centre. The cult refuses to pay
fines imposed after financial malpractice is exposed.
USA, July 1996
The
cult's case against Time magazine is finally thrown out. Judge Leisure
finds that comments such as "[the church] is a hugely profitable
global scam which survives by intimidating members and critics in a
mafia-like manner" are not defamatory.
Netherlands, March 1996
The cult
totally loses its lawsuit against Karin Spaink and many Internet Service
Providers.
Denmark, February 1996
Tax
authorities discover severe financial irregularities in Scientology's
publishing arm.
Netherlands, February 1996
Pressure grows for a government
investigation into Scientology
USA, January 1996
Scientology becomes the
first organisation
to be successfully prosecuted under California's Anti-SLAPP laws.
Germany, January 1996
A government minister requests that
Scientology be put under surveillance
France, December 1995
French branch of Scientology faces bankrupcy after
refusing to pay a back-dated tax claim
Greece, October 1995
Greek authorities raid the
Scientology centre. Siezed documents
expose an intelligence operation directed at enemies of the cult, a plan to
take control of a group of European countries, including Albania, and the
theft of documents from the Government's intelligence department.
Germany, September 1995
The State of Hamburg's investigation describes
the cult as a serious threat to society.
Canada, June 1995
The Supreme Court rules that Scientology
has to make the largest libel payout in Canadian legal history, for its
continued defamation of the lawyer Casey Hill.
Canada, June 1995
Court ruling forces the cult to return money to
ex-members for courses that were not taken.
France, January 1995
Six cult members go on trial for fraud and
illegal practice of medicine
Spain, December 1994
The Madrid Court of
Instruction declares its intention to try Heber Jentzch and other
Scientology officials for charges including fraud, coercion and
inducement to suicide.
Germany, 1994
An ex-scientologist wins the rights to the
personality test that Scientology uses for recruitment.