Scientology Lies

by Curtis Kreuger

A judge has temporarily refused to allow the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office to release records concerning an investigation of a Church of Scientology school, after the Scientologists claimed that doing so would cause "irreparable damage."

However, a hearing will be scheduled in which attorneys for the Times Publishing Co., publisher of the St. Petersburg Times, intend to argue that the records should be released.

A Times reporter earlier this month sought copies of sheriff's records stemming from an investigation of the school near Largo.

The investigation was prompted by complaints of child abuse, which later were determined to have been unfounded, according to court records. Investigators from the Sheriff's Office and the state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) participated.

The Scientology Cadet School is operated by the Church of Scientology and used mainly for children of Scientology staff members. It has about 135 pupils, Scientology spokesman Richard Haworth said recently.

Scientology is an organization that says it is a bona fide religion, although critics call it a cult or merely a moneymaking organization. Clearwater is the group's international spiritual headquarters. The private school is in a former Quality Inn at 16432 N U.S. 19 that also houses staff.

The school filed an emergency motion in juvenile court Wednesday seeking to prevent the Sheriff's Office from releasing the report. Even though the allegations were determined to have been unfounded, Scientology attorney Paul B. Johnson argued that revealing them could irreparably damage the school.

Jack A. Page, the Circuit Court administrative judge for the Juvenile Division, granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday prohibiting the Sheriff's Office from releasing the report.

During a hearing Thursday, Times Publishing Co. attorney George K. Rahdert argued that the Scientologists had no standing on which to argue against releasing the records. Under Florida law, that decision rests with the Sheriff's Office, he said.

Page on Thursday ordered the case transferred to the Civil Division. He said he no longer had jurisdiction, because the HRS investigation had concluded. He said his restraining order would stand until a civil judge took over the case.