Scientology
in Trouble

Scientology Criticism
Human Rights Abuses
Inside Scientology The Belief System
Scientology in Trouble What you can do
UK FocusUK Media Archive

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.