Ortega Underground [APR.01.13]
Former Narconon employee Eric Tenorio has turned over to the
Underground Bunker a remarkable e-mail written by a Narconon
International legal affairs officer who admits that “we do not have
scientific evidence of” the 70 percent and higher rates of success that
the rehab programs advertise.
Eric Tenorio - whistle blower
In 2009, Tenorio was working at Narconon
Freedom Treatment Center in Albion, Michigan when the facility became
the subject of a Better Business Bureau complaint. As the center
prepared a response to the complaint, Tenorio was one of several
executives at the center who received copies of e-mails going back and
forth between Freedom Center and Narconon International, the non-profit
that oversees all Narconon facilities. (Narconon International in turn
reports to the Association for Better Living and Education, which is
staffed only by Scientology “Sea Org” officials.)
In the draft of its response to the BBB, Freedom Center’s officials
referred to the 70 percent success rate that all Narconon centers
advertise (some push it even higher — some ads have been seen with claims of up to 90
percent success).
Note, these success rates are completely out
of scale with more legitimate rehab programs, which typically advertise
success rates closer to 25 percent.
Tenorio says that the Freedom Center’s draft response was shown to
Claudia Arcabascio, Narconon International’s Legal Affairs Director.
Below, is a copy of the internal email the Legal Affairs Director for the entire Narconon network admitting
that there is no scientific basis for 70 percent success claims:
SCIENTOLOGY DRUG REHAB CENTER HIT WITH FIVE MORE LAWSUITS
Narconon Arrowhead Rehab Center
Underground Bunker [MAR.21.13] ~ Scientology’s troubled flagship drug rehab facility in Oklahoma —
Narconon Arrowhead — was hit with five additional lawsuits today, all
filed by Gary Richardson, the attorney who is handling four other
wrongful death and fraud suits against the center.
Three deaths at the facility in nine months (the last in July 2012)
has resulted in local and state investigations, the Oklahoma legislature
is this week considering a new bill to tighten regulation of the
facility, and earlier this month Narconon Arrowhead’s CEO, Gary Smith,
had his drug counselor certification permanently revoked.
And today, Gary Richardson filed five additional lawsuits against the
facility, each of which is alleging that Narconon is a fraudulent
business that advertises bogus success rates. Each of the suits names
Narconon Arrowhead, Narconon International, and Scientology’s “good
works” umbrella non-profit, the Association for Better Living and
Education. [continued@tonyortega.org]
Lawsuits allege Narconon Arrowhead counselors traded sex for drugs
mcalesternews.com [MAR.22.13] ~ Narconon Arrowhead counselors allegedly traded drugs for sex and
fraudulently charged a patients credit card some $14,500 according to
allegations found in five lawsuits filed Thursday against the facility.
The lawsuits were filed Thursday in Pittsburg County District Court.
Also among the allegations the suits say Narconon influenced a
grandmother to take out a $7,000 loan to “save her grandson’s life” and
Narconon charged some $14,500 to a credit card obtained without the
cardholders knowledge. [continued@mcalesternews.com]
News2: NARCONON ARROWHEAD - Faces five more lawsuits
wireservice.ca ~ [MAR.10.13] Documents confirm that Narconon Trois-Rivieres in
Quebec, Canada, has had their charitable status revoked by the Canada
Revenue Agency. A 5 page formal complaint, with attached evidence
documents, was filed on January 17, 2012 against Narconon Incorporated
and Narconon Trois-Rivieres with the Ottawa Agency.
Documents submitted, referred to: "Narconon is operated as a
commercial business venture, with huge sums ending up in Scientology
bank accounts. These files confirm to the Charities Commission that
Narconon does NOT benefit the community in a way the law regards as
charitable. Quite notably, this organization causes far more harm than
good as will be evident to the Commission when applying the "Public
Benefit Test" as prescribed under the Income Tax Act." [more @ wireservice.ca]
mcalesternews.com — Narconon Arrowhead’s top executive and several of his employees have had a counseling certification revoked by the National Association of Forensic Counselors, officials say.
Karla Taylor, president of NAFC, confirmed Narconon Arrowhead CEO Gary Smith’s certification and those of several Narconon employees was revoked earlier this month.
“All members of the NAFC must abide by the NAFC ethical standards as
well as the ethical codes within their profession,” Taylor said. She also said because the certifications were revoked and not suspended that Smith would not be eligible to be recertified. [continued]
Narconon CEO Gary Smith Loses Councilor Certification
Mary Rieser - Narconon Georgia
tonyortega.org - The NAFC’s CEO and president, Karla Taylor, confirmed today that her
organization has sent out letters that suspend or revoke Certified
Chemical Dependency Counselor (CCDC) certifications to numerous
employees of Narconon programs in Oklahoma and Georgia —
Two facilities
that have been the center of controversy after patient deaths, criminal
investigations, and multiple lawsuits. Taylor says she has confirmation
that Smith has received his revocation notice.
Mary Rieser has also lost her CCDC, but the former Narconon Georgia
executive director may have bigger problems with the state continuing a
criminal insurance fraud probe of the facility. [continued]
wtsp.com [NOV.16.12] The allegations are coming from the former number-two man in the Scientology organization, and involve what he says is a multi-million dollar cover up of the death of a woman in Scientology care.
The woman at the center of it all is Lisa McPherson, who died in 1995 after being involved in a minor traffic accident.
Marty Rathbun, the former number-two man in Scientology, alleges that the organization showered gifts on the Medical Examiner's attorney, Jeff Goodis, to influence her to change the cause of death. Once that happened, the criminal case fell apart.
In addition, Rathbun says the Church hired another attorney, former prosecutor Lee Fugate, to have illegal Ex parte meetings with judges involved in the case.
Rathbun says,"Listen. Lee Fugate, his value was to schmooze. As a matter of fact, that's what David Miscavige and myself used to say. Let's get lee to schmooze; let's get Lee to schmooze."
Marty Rathbun
In the suit, Rathbun contends the Church of Scientology spent at least $30 million to get the charges dropped, and mitigates the damages in the civil suit.
Jeff Goodis denies the charges and Attorney Lee Fugate says he can't comment on a federal suit, but it would be shocking to believe that some of Pinellas' top judges could be involved in illegal activity like this.
However Ken Dandar, the attorney who represented McPherson's family against the church, says, "Maybe Mr. Rathbun doesn't know what he is talking about, and maybe it's all his imagination. I don't think so..."
Dandar says the organization has come after him. He's says attorney Wally Pope and Judge Robert Beach have illegally claimed the settlement papers in the McPherson case.
Ken Dandar
Papers that included what's called a "practice restriction" so Dandar could never sue Scientology again.
Dandar adds," If what I've been told is correct, I will go after the people who have corrupted the system, and I will go after the members of the system that have been corrupted."
[continued@wtsp.com]
Below, from the ODIT Archives: Lisa McPherson Story
xenutv.com ~ Lisa was a devoted Scientologist for many years. In late 1995, she indicated to family and friends that she would be coming home to Texas. She never made it home. Instead, Lisa spent her last days confined in Scientology’s Fort Harrison Hotel.
During those 17 days, Lisa was undergoing a psychotic breakdown while under constant guard by Scientology staffers who tried to handle her with Hubbard policies. By the time they rushed her to a hospital it was too late. She had lost 40 pounds and was severely dehydrated. Lisa was pronounced dead on arrival.
Lisa's case is a good representation of the many people harmed or even killed by Scientology. Her case is well documented from court proceedings, Scientology documents, and good reporting. It's also a case that DM [David Miscavige] himself had a direct hand in, according to Marty Rathbun.
lisamcpherson.org averages about 250 visitors per day. There are many other sites that tell her story as well, so her life is remembered. Lisa's family wanted her story to be told so her fate would not happen to anyone else. Thanks to the Internet, this will be accomplished. ~ J.Jacobsen
Public Eye, CBS TV, 1/7/98 Since first attracting attention more than 30 years ago the tenets of Scientology have been reviled by critics and revered by supporters. Those same supporters have earned a fierce reputation for relentlessly using the courts to defend Scientology, ultimately gaining it tax exempt status as a recognized religion. In recent years, the church's profile has been enhanced by association with a variety of Hollywood stars, famous folks who have put a shining face on a self-styled church that's often clouded by secrecy and mistrust. All of which brings us to a lawsuit in Florida, a wrongful death suit that has pitted proponents of Scientology against the family of a young woman who died in the prime of her life. Kristin Jeannette-Meyers, herself a lawyer, details the sad end of Lisa McPherson... [complete archived transcript @ lisamcpherson.org]
THOUSANDS of former members publicly condemn the Church of Scientology
WWP WIKI: BL2K.SHOWS.IT
Over 2,000 former members of the Church of Scientology Inc. have spoken out publicly against the organization according to a list researched and compiled by online activist group Anonymous over the past 3 years and released on October 28th 2012.
The individuals on the list have publicly spoken out under their real names against the abuses witnessed or experienced first-hand within the Church of Scientology, despite being subjected to intimidation and threats for doing so, under Scientology's "Fair Game" and "Disconnection" policies.
Ex-Scientologists / '10 LA Press Conference
Although the Church of Scientology publicly denies that these policies exist, there are first-person accounts in the news that these intimidation tactics are actively applied to this day.
Most former members do not dare to publicly criticize the organization, largely because of thesis policies.
The extensiveness of this list demonstrates that there is a significant problem with the Church of Scientology, and counters all their claims in the media that so-called "disgruntled ex-members" or "apostates" are a "small group" or few in number.
GOOGLE: BIGLIST.SHOWS.IT
The list, which continues to grow daily, contains both names of individuals who no longer practice Scientology at all, as well as many others who do so outside the purview of the organization. What they have in common is that each of them has decided to step forward and tell the world what happened during their time within the Church of Scientology.
While their backgrounds vary widely, their stories are similar and many themes run throughout: rigid control of information, enforced disconnection from loved ones who are critical of the group, zealous campaigns to squeeze money from members, physical and emotional abuse of children and adults, slave labor camps designed to reinforce indoctrination, and many other disturbing practices.
Statistics:
• The IAS (International Association of Scientologists) received a little over 5 million dollars from just 70 of the people on the list.
• 699 people on the list have a combined total of over 13 thousand years of experience inside the organization.
• Below, a small sampling the the list of 2,000 names that may be familiar to some:
Larry Anderson, Gerry Armstrong, Jon Atack, Chuck Beatty, Jason Beghe, Derek Bloch, Maureen Bolstad, Kate Bornstein, Denise Brennan, John Brousseau, Luke Catton, Tory Christman, Christie Collbran, Debbie Cook, Bent Corydon, Brian Culkin, Laura DeCrescenzo, Karen de la Carriere, Rachel Denk, Tom De Vocht, Ramana Dienes-Browning, Samantha Domingo, John Duignan, Dennis Erlich, Dave and Synthia Fagen, Michael Fairman, Mark Fisher, Will Fry, Terri Gamboa, Luis Garcia, Maria Pia Gardini, Dan Garvin, Joy Graysen, Pete Griffiths, Chris Guider, Natalie Hagemo, Paul Haggis, Steve Hall, Scarlett Hanna, Jefferson Hawkins, Claire and Marc Headley, Bruce Hines, Lori Hodgson, Lynne Hoverson, Geir Isene, Mareka James, Michael Laws, Dani and Tami Lemberger, Arnie Lerma, Hy Levy, Paulien Lombard, Trey Lotz, Tiziano Lugli, Brian Mandigo, Nancy Many, Nan McLean, Jenna Miscavige Hill, Patty Moher, Gary Morehead, Kirsi Ojamo, Frank Oliver, Martin Padfield, Melissa Paris, Valeska Paris, Michael Pattinson, Mat Pesch, Steve Pfauth, Cindy and Matt Plahuta, Mark Plummer, Steve Poore, Karen Pressley, Jesse Prince, Marty Rathbun, Mike Rinder, Garry Scarff, Cathy Schenkelberg, Bert Schippers, Amy Scobee, Mark Shreffler, Andre Tabayoyon, Aida Thomas, Simi Valley, Cyril Vosper, Margery Wakefield, Roger Weller, Hana Whitfield, Lawrence Wollersheim, Astra Woodcraft, Bonnie Woods, Robert Vaughn Young, and Karla Zamudio
Ex-Scientologists in Germany '08
Anonymous now celebrates the compilation and publication of a thousands-strong list of human voices no longer silenced, and never again alone. Documentation is provided for each name included in the list.
There are thousands more who left, and have yet to come forward to tell their story, and there are also hundreds more who spoke out but did not want their names known for fear of retaliation. We hope that the courage of those named here empowers more people to come forward with their stories of abuse, and ultimately prevent such abuses from ever taking place again.
Since February 2008, Anonymous has protested the crimes and abuses of the "Church of Scientology" and its many front groups. These protests, as well as public awareness efforts such as the Big List, will continue for as long as the abuses continue.
We are Anonymous
We are Legion
We Do Not Forgive
We Do Not Forget
Expect Us.
WWP user “RightOn” in particular deserves to be credited, without whose meticulous attention to detail and persistent efforts this list would not have existed. RightOn started this labor of love as just a list of names on a scratch pad, and with the help of users on WWP has developed it into a serious research tool for critical evaluation of Scientology.
June 4, 2012- Fox 25 News Oklahoma announces scheduled protest at Narconon Arrowhead located in Canadian, OK where there has been three recent patient deaths while under the care of this controversial Scientology Rehab Center. Saturday June 23rd and Sunday the 24th [2012]. Times TBA.
Follow the planning thread @ WWP for more information.
The Big List of former members of the Church of Scientology
that have spoken out publicly, has grown to over 1800, according to a list researched and compiled by Anonymous over the last few years. The list demonstrates that there is a
significant problem with organized Scientology and disproves their worn-out apologist line 'Just a few disgruntled apostates with axes to grind ' when someone leaves their organization.
The individuals on the list have spoken out under their real names
against the abuses seen and experienced within the so-called church
despite being subjected to Scientology’s “Fair Game” policy, which gives
members permission to destroy its critics. Most former members do not
ever speak out against the church, largely because of this policy.
The stories told by these ex-members are similar to the revelations made
recently by former members speaking out against Scientology in highly
visible stories in the New York Times, the St. Petersburg Times, a five-part series on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, the Village Voice, and
most recently, the Debbie Cook New Years Email (pdf).
The list, which continues to grow daily, contains many names of
individuals who no longer practice Scientology at all as well as many
others who do. What they have in common is that each of them has decided
to step forward and tell the world what happened during their time
within organized Scientology.
While their backgrounds vary widely, their
stories are similar and many themes run throughout: rigid control of
information, enforced disconnection from loved ones who are critical of
the group, zealous campaigns to squeeze money from members, physical and
emotional abuse of children and adults, slave labor camps designed to
reinforce indoctrination, and many other disturbing practices. The
problem is not limited to any particular country. Their compelling
stories emerge from numerous countries all around the world spanning
decades.
Anonymous now celebrates the compilation and publication of a 1800-strong list of human voices no longer silenced, and never again
alone. Documentation is provided for each name included in the list.
All remaining victims or observers of abuse within organized
Scientology are invited to speak out and add their names and their
messages. We hope that the courage shown by those named on this list empowers more people to come forward with their stories of abuse, and ultimately
prevents such abuses from ever taking place again.
Since February 2008, Anonymous has protested the crimes and abuses of
the “Church of Scientology” and its many front groups. These protests,
as well as public awareness efforts like the Big List, will continue.
big tip'o the mask to RightOn for keeping this project alive.
montrealgazette.com [Apr 19] ~ MONTREAL - Perhaps the lowest point in David Love’s “treatment” for
drug addiction at Narconon Trois Rivières was the five-hour sauna on his
25th day of five-hour saunas.
Being forced to yell at an ashtray
for hours on end – “Stand up, ashtray!” “Thank you.” “Sit back down,
ashtray!” – also left him confused and frustrated. But it was when Love
realized that the rehab centre inspired by the teachings of Scientology
was actually putting vulnerable addicts’ health at risk – and that he
had become a part of the machinery – that he decided to get out.
Then last Friday, 2½ years after Love began his campaign, public
health officials for the Mauricie region ordered Narconon to relocate
its 32 residents and told the organization they would not certify the
centre, because its approach was not recognized in this province, and
that its practices, including the saunas and massive doses of niacin,
were potentially putting patients’ health at risk.
Most of the
patients, from B.C. and other provinces as well as the United States,
have since been relocated to Narconon centres in the U.S.
As for
David Love, he remains drug-free since he left Narconon – but deeply
traumatized by what he saw and went through in Trois Rivières. [ cont. at montrealgazette.com ]
Canadian Health Board Slams Scientology Rehab
CBC Radio [Apr 18] - The Quebec Health Board "Slams" the Scientology Rehab,
Narconon, for exploiting desperate families by promising an 80% success
rate and placing patient's health in danger by forcing patients to
ingest toxic doses of vitamins in extreme, dangerous doses and not having
any qualified medical staff at Narconon Trois-Rivieres.
Upcoming Events: Canadian Investigators Probing Scientology
click for full size
[Apr 19] In an unofficial tip at WWP, David Love informs us that government investigators are acting on his complaint filed in February of 2011 with the Board of Human Rights Commission.
Even though NN TR [Narconon Trois Rivières] is now closed, Government investigators are now pushing forward in
an unexpected (by me), move. Incredible how these events are "mushrooming".~ David Love
Mentioned in the complaint, Exploitation of a Handicap is Narconon Trois Rivières, Church of Scientology - Montreal, Narconon Canada, Narconon International, ABLE Canada including directors and corporate entities, along with the current leader of the Church of Scientology, David Miscavige. Will post updates as the events unfold.
Narconon practices risky, according to regional Health Agency
Marc Lacour
985fm.ca [Apr 17] (translated) ~ The Mauricie and Central-Quebec Health and Social Services Agency gave
details on Tuesday about the reasons that led it to deny certification
to the Narconon Trois-Rivières detoxification center.
The center was ordered to cease its activities and to relocate the
twenty-four residents who were there. Seventeen of them were transferred
to Narconon centers in the United States. The organization has ten days
to send its comments to the Agency, which will then issue a final
decision. The center will then have sixty days to contest the decision
before the Quebec administrative court.
Of the fifty-five criteria required for certification, the Quebec
Accreditation Council identified forty-six deficiencies, twenty-six of
them considered high-risk. One of the procedures that represents a
health risk is the sauna sweating sessions combined with massive doses
of vitamins.
Narconon's methods are based on the teachings of the Church of
Scientology, which, according to the Agency, perceives drug addiction as
moral depravity and associates it with dishonesty.
Marc Lacour also confirmed that the regional complaints commissioner has
received a certain number of complaints about Narconon. Clients who
wanted to end their stay prematurely complained that their identity
cards, passports, and money were taken and withheld to make departing
more complicated.
CBC TV -Radio Canada Newscast
In this April 17, 2012 report, Radio-Canada journalist Maude Montembeault summarizes a press conference held by the Mauricie Health and Social Services Agency about the reasons for which Narconon Trois-Rivières failed to obtain accreditation as a residential detoxification center.
Scientologist-run rehab center ordered closed in Quebec
cbc.ca [Apr 17] ~ The head of a regional health agency in Quebec said he had no choice
but to shut down a Scientology-based rehab centre in Trois-Rivières.
Narconon
Trois-Rivières
In recent months, he said at least four clients were taken to hospital because of methods used at the centre.
The Narconon Trois-Rivières is one of dozens of similar centres in
the U.S. and around the world where the detox treatment is inspired by
the teachings of Scientology.
Mauricie regional health agency director Marc Latour said Narconon
Trois-Rivières advertised an 80 per cent success rate and charged
$25,000 for its program. Latour said the centre was dangerous for patients and violated many of the criteria regulating Quebec's rehab centres. He said there was no medical supervision and no scientific basis to the treatment. [more a link]
Narconon centre in Trois Rivières ordered to relocate its residents
montrealgazette.com [Apr 17] ~ Health officials have ordered the Narconon rehabilitation centre for
drug addicts in Trois Rivières to evacuate and relocate its 32
residents, citing concerns over procedures that “may represent a risk to
health” and the lack of doctors on staff.
The centre,
among the largest of 50 Narconon centres in 22 countries, bases its
treatment on the teachings of the Church of Scientology headquartered in
California, giving its “students” high doses of niacin and having them
sit in saunas for about five hours a day. The rest of the treatment
consists of “Training Routines” based on the teachings of L. Ron
Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, in which patients perform the same
tasks over and over.
Residents in Trois Rivières paid $25,000 to $30,000 for their treatment, which lasted on average three to five months.
Marc Lacour, the director of the Mauricie Health and Social Services Agency... [continued at link]
TVA: Narconon Trois-Rivières Employees Go Unpaid
In this (above) April 17, 2012 report, TVA journalist Ghislain Morissette
describes the plight of former Narconon Trois-Rivières employees who had
not been paid for weeks and who suddenly lost their jobs when Narconon
was forced to shut down because it failed to obtain accreditation as a
residential detoxification center.
NARCONON closure: Employees not paid
tvanouvelles.ca (translated) [Apr 17] ~
TROIS-RIVIÈRES | (QMI Agency) Former employees of the Narconon
Trois-Rivières center shut down by Quebec fear they will not be paid the
money owed them.
The Mauricie Health and Social Services Agency revoked the certification
of Narconon, a detoxification program with ties to the Church of
Scientology.
Narconon's employees are now saying they haven't received their salary
for many weeks and they fear they will never be compensated. "They
didn't say anything to us about our pay," said a woman who worked there.
"I think our money is lost. We ought to forget about it."
Another former employee denounced the fact that Narconon managers who
are members of the Church of Scientology advocate honesty but don't
practice what they preach.
"It's not the program that's the problem," said a former employee. "The
problem is management. The problem is that if I teach someone to be
honest, then I myself should be honest."
A controversial method
Spending seven to eight hours a day in a sauna for 21 days, shouting at
an ashtray, ingesting massive vitamin doses - this, among other things,
is the treatment that Narconon Trois-Rivières offers drug addicts.
This peculiar detoxification method is based on the writings of the founder of the Church of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. A typical two-to-three-month stay at Narconon Trois-Rivières costs $23,000.
Thanks to Intelligence, mnql1 for the links and translations at wwp
The NarCONon is Scientology web site at Crackpots.ORG has moved to Crackpots.US. If you have content that links to Crackpots.ORG, please update your links to go to the new Crackpots.US domain.
The Narconon organization has been exposed to be a "Church" of Scientology front which is in no way connected with the real drug addiction treatment program called Narcotics Anonymous.
Anyone contemplating taking the Scientology organization's unscientific and risky "Purification Rundown" proceedure, or participating in any of the cult's other dangerous quack medicial proceedures needs to know the history of the Narconon front group, what courts have ruled about it, what newspapers have discovered and reported, and what the lack of scientific merits for the cult's proceedures mean to individuals who are trying to quit their addictions.
The goals of the Scientology cult would appear to be to use their fake front Narconon as a method of recruitment, preying upon people who are already known by the organization to have addictive personalities, and who are unaware of who actually runs Narconon.
"No Love For Narconon" Interview / The Edge (WXYB)
Tom Smith hosts 'The Edge': Mr David Love is a former staff member at Narconon Trois-Rivières, a drug detox center run by scientologists, for scientology.
We learn from this interview that Mr Love also has extensive knowledge of what goes on behind closed doors at Narconon and has met some of the U.S.-based high executives of this organization. . 1520AM tampa florida.
thedenverchannel.com ~ After just two hours of deliberation, an Adams County jury found Rev.Rex Fowler guilty of first-degree murder in the slaying of his former business partner. Fowler, 59, was immediately sentenced to life in prison.
The fact that Fowler shot and killed Thomas Ciancio was never in dispute. What was in dispute was whether the act was deliberate and pre-planned. Prosecutors argued the fact that Ciancio was shot three times in the face could not be an accident -- it was an execution.
"Mr. Fowler waited until (Ciancio) signed that separation agreement before he took his life. Looked him right in the eye when he pulled that first trigger. He shot him right in the face! What does that tell you about deliberation?" prosecutor Dave Young asked the jury during closing arguments in the trial.
The defense argued that Fowler went to the office that day, armed with a gun, to kill himself.
"We're not trying to justify it. (Ciancio's) death is a tragedy but it is not first-degree murder," said Sarah Quinn, one of Fowler's two defense attorneys. "(Fowler's) only plan was to take his own life. No intent. No deliberation. It was just a tragic reaction by Mr. Fowler."
The jury had to decide if Fowler was guilty of first-degree or second-degree murder. District Court Judge Francis Wasserman dismissed defense requests to include crime of passion and other lesser offenses in the jury instructions.
Ciancio died Dec. 30, 2009 while he went to the office to collect a severance check from Fowler Software Design. Ciancio had decided to leave the company after the founder, 58-year-old Rex Fowler, had diverted $175,000 in company funds to Fowler's church, the Church of Scientology.
He and Fowler, the founder of the company, were the only two people inside the lower-level office near 84th Avenue and Interstate 25 that day.
Young and a fellow prosecutor waved a replica handgun during closing arguments to demonstrate the actions they allege Fowler took in putting three bullets into Ciancio's head. "If you fire three shots into someone's head it is your intent to kill," said prosecutor Yvette Werner.
"It is your conscious objective for them to be dead. (The defense) wants you to believe it was ... what? 'Oops! Oops! Oops!'" she said pointing a replica gun towards wall."Does that make any sense to you? Of course not."
Earlier Friday, Dr. James Wilkerson IV told the jury Ciancio had been shot "within two feet" -- and two of the shots were to the back of the head. [more...]
William Rex Fowler: $200K Scientology donor found guilty of murdering Thomas Ciancio
blogs.westword.com ~ An Adams County District judge is trying to keep Scientology from overwhelming the William Rex Fowler murder trial, even though Fowler's software company was reportedly in trouble because he gave around $200,000 to the sect. But that hasn't prevented anti-Scientology forums from linking the object of their derision to the late 2009 slaying of Thomas Ciancio, Fowler's ex-partner. [more...]
KUSA-TV News9 - Man charged in shooting death of former business partner
Background of stories above. Aired: 1/22/10
ABC(au) ~ The Independent Complaints Review Panel (ICRP) has not upheld a series of complaints made against a Four Corners program, broadcast on 8 March 2010, titled “Scientology: The Ex-Files”.
The program investigated aspects of the activities of the Church of Scientology, following the call for a government inquiry into the Church by Senator Nick Xenophon in 2009.
The complaint about the Four Corners program included three elements: the way in which the Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF) was described; disclosure of information about the Andersons’ familial relationships and the circumstances of their departure from the Church; and a broader complaint that “the show and its producers intended to leave the viewer with a negative imprint of the Church and its beliefs, without ever balancing the show with any of the good works that the Church undertakes”.
ICRP Decision: ABC Four Corners PDF link
The Panel concluded that the Four Corners program had a limited scope, being focused on “the specific complaints made by the participants relating to their personal experiences with the Church” and accordingly, “[t]he wider considerations referred to by the Complainant were not involved.” Therefore, none of the complaints were upheld. [more >>>]
Disputed Episode: Four Corners, The Ex-Files [5 parts, 43 min]
Australia's four corners program examines the covert world of scientology; with testimonies from ex-scientologists, regarding disconnection and labor law violations. The program precedes a senate vote on scientology's tax-exempt status, set out by Senator Nick Xenophon. The testimonies of ex-scientologists on the scientology's criminal practices have been heard in Australia for quite some time now.
[playlist link: Four Corners, The Ex-Files]
Charities Commission: charitable groups must now prove accountability abc.net.au ~ A federal parliamentary committee has recommended the creation of a charities commission. The commission would ensure charitable and religious organisations were open and transparent.
They would also need to be able to prove they deserved a charitable status. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has welcomed bipartisan support for the commission, saying organisations such as the Church of Scientology are on notice. "I believe reform is now inevitable. We can't continue to have business as usual when it comes to organisations that have been beyond any reasonable level of accountability," Mr Xenophon said. He believes reform in the sector is inevitable.
"This inquiry came about because of legislation I introduced for a public benefit test for religions and charities, and it was as a direct result of being approached by many victims of the Church of Scientology," said the Senator, and adds,"Their evidence, their complaints played a key role in triggering this inquiry."
Today Tonight - PBT Inquiry Release Special
The recommendations laid down by the Senate Economics Committee signal impending doom for organised Scientology in the form of increased scrutiny on charitable and religious organisations, as well a focus on the dangers and influences of cults.
Explained in-depth at Jonny Jacobsen's infinitecomplacency (thanks Triumph) and video embed courtesy of Zhent
Updated coverage:September 8th
Australian Senate Committee recommends formation of Charities Commission wikinews.org ~ The Economics Legislation Committee of the Australian Senate reported Tuesday on their investigation into the matter of investigating the benefits of religious charities in Australia, and recommended the formation of a Charities Commission. The recommendation has recieved bipartisan support. The inquiry began as the result of legislation initially introduced in the Senate by Senator Nick Xenophon after he had received complaints from former members of the Scientology organization in Australia.
"...it was as a direct result of being approached by many victims of the Church of Scientology. Their evidence, their complaints played a key role in triggering this inquiry." ~ Senator Nick Xenophon
WWP ~ A video update was posted on YouTube by anonSParrow giving an oral report of what has happened thus far and which direction his legal Scientology snafu is leading.
The site link he mentions in the video is www.dccourts.gov and his instructions are: Search for my name, Brian Mandigo, for court details.
This is primarily a recap aimed at those who don't want to search through all the TL;TR on WWP (or on here) and want a quick synopsis of his situation.
But there are a few new details (and props) peppered throughout the report.
anonSParrow: DC Legal Update No.2 [recap]
Fight the Power (original) ~ Isley Brothers (1975)
"Law enforcement is necessary. As a species we haven’t evolved past needing that. Fight the Power is not about fighting authority. it’s not that at all. It’s about fighting abuse of power.[2]"
Scientology Can't Even Clear A Sidewalk, Never Mind A Planet WWP ~ Scientologists continue to harass protesters in front of their building in Washington DC and as you can see in the video, they don't vary from their TECH on how to discourage critics. Also, remember, these are the (self-professed) most ethical people on the planet.
• Quote a law that doesn't exist (filming in public).
• Use calling police authorities as a threat.
• Question protester's motives (usually, they would first ask the protester why he's hiding his face behind a mask, but RP doesn't wear one).
• Ask if they're doing it, why are they doing it in that spot (as opposed to another location) and do it in a more productive way (lolwut?).
• Give false report to police (stating the protester was on their property).
[radiopaul] Scientology Protest DC 8-26-2010 [part 1]
Note: Ken Moxon (Kim Belotte's lawyer) arrives in DC and makes a brief appearance in the last few moments of Part 3, luggage in tow.
• [AUG/27/10] AnonSParrow: So I had the status hearing today before Judge Macaluso. This takes the place of the original October 22 status hearing.
Moxon was there along with Kim Belotte, Sylvia Stanard and Vicki Turissi. Also, a surprise appearance by this Scientologist from Philly (Bruce Thompson). Why they would bring him to a status hearing (or at all) is beyond me.
So anyway, what happened today:
The judge said it was a moot point to pursue a TRO because the criminal complaint already enforces the stay away order. Moxon once again pressed the issue that if the criminal charges were dropped (for whatever reasons beyond his control) then it would be necessary to have this TRO to keep me away.
The judge told him that he is NOT getting the TRO and that should the criminal charges "go away", for whatever reason, then he can request an emergency hearing and one will be granted within 48 hours. So he said ok.
Then Moxon asked the Judge for permission to submit an amended complaint which she granted. She also granted my lawyer permission to submit a revised answer.
Moxon has until September 26 (iirc) to submit his and we have until October 15 to submit our answer.
The judge then set the upcoming trial events/hearings to be scheduled on what's called "Track 2" which is a medium pace for proceedings. My lawyer is going to forward that schedule to me but I don't think anything happens in the civil case now until late September.
The criminal case is set to begin with a similar status hearing like today's on September 10.
So that's all I've got for now. I will say that I like the judge so far. She seems like she is a no-nonsense/all-business kind of person. And in my opinion that is exactly what is needed in this case.
Take Down Of A Take Down...Of A Take Down
And since Kendrick Moxon's name came up in today's post, let's continue to look into what some are trying to eliminate from the public's view. Of course, we know, once something goes up on the the internet, it never goes away.
Below is a soundtrack of a video-blogger who posted a mirror of Gerry Armstrong's opinion of Kendrick Moxon and then found it removed through a TOS violation. Note: the video-blogger's original video, where the soundtrack originated, (I believe) was taken down with a TOS violation also. Listen in, and you be the judge if it rates a violation.
• [AUG/13] A T.R.O. wasn't necessary because I already need to stay away based on the conditions of my release from jail in the criminal complaint
• [pending] There will now be a status hearing before Judge Macaluso on Friday August 27. She is also the judge who will hear the case in its entirety starting Friday September 10.
ODIT had been putting off the timeline update till there was something earth shattering to report. Well, that never happened. We're stuck in a holding pattern like one of Xenu's DC-8's waiting for a landing spot at the volcano.
But, in the meantime, some more background video popped up over at WWP on Sylvia Stanard, currently the Director of Washington DC Public Affairs, from 1997 when she was, supposedly, a reporter for Scientology's Freedom Magazine at a anti-scientology press conference at the Holiday Inn (Clearwater, FL) before a protest at the Ft. Harrison Hotel. How she can be a objective reporter while at the same time answering questions as a spokesperson is beyond me.
Thanks to Smurf(above) and Jeff Jacobsen(below) for the history lesson (but the dates are are a little fuzzy).
This was our first press conference in Clearwater in conjunction with the first protest. We had 18 protesters. I believe this was March of 1996, just months after Lisa McPherson died there (though we didn't know it at the time).
[Kendrick]Ken Moxon [the Scientology lawyer currently involved in AnonSParrow's litigation], Mike Rinder, Brian Anderson, and 2 other Scientologists tried to crash the press conference, but we had hired an off-duty cop to help us at the door. they went away mumbling about holding their own press conference (which they did in subsequent years).
We had a debate about whether to let in the Freedom Magazine "reporters" but in the end decided it would be ok. They did not disrupt the press conference but did try to control the Q&A after.
I [Jeff] was MC, Dennis Erlich, Paul Grosswald, and others spoke. We had a good media presence and got good local coverage.
Sylvia Stanard Defends Scientology's 'Fair Game' Policy
Excepts of the documents they were speaking of can be viewed at xenu-directory.net's archive along with more multimedia on the the subject.
Kendrick Moxon: Intentionally Interrupts TV Interview
And just because his name keeps coming up, posted below is a video of Moxon interrupting a 1996 interview with ex-Scientologist Dennis Erlich. The attorney intentionally approached Dennis Erlich (the original scientology wikileaker before there was Wikileaks) forcing a violation of a restraining order that he [Moxon] had filed for in the first place!
