crimes
Scientology has a long, well-documented history of breaking the law.
More about crimes
Is Scientology breaking the law? There's evidence that they are.
Learn about allegations - and convictions - of criminal activity by Scientology organizations and executives.
October 3, 1975: A Guardian's Office memo is sent to Richard Weigand requesting a compliance report on target 17 of GO 1361. (Target 17 directed the infiltration and theft of files relating to Scientology from the Tax Division or the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.) Weigand added a handwritten note to the memo that target 17 "is almost done" in Washington DC, but that six more weeks would be needed to complete the target at the Justice Department in Los Angeles.
April 23, 1985: A public announcement by Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates disavowing any cooperation with Eugene Ingram, longtime Scientology agent, who claimed to have obtained a letter from the LAPD authorizing Ingram to eavesdrop on others.
April 13, 1990: Testimony tells the story of her experiences in Scientology.">Margery Wakefield's affidavit describes illicit activities, hearing plans to murder individuals, and false imprisonment by the Church of Scientology.
crimes in the News
Date |
Title |
Blurb |
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November 12, 2007 |
A Church Accounting |
While religious institutions have constitutional protection against certain taxation, they are also expected not to abuse their special status. In fact, while Grassley is looking into such matters, he should add the Church of Scientology to the list. Scientology's shameful past includes a 25-year legal and psychological campaign against the IRS to be recognized as a tax- exempt religion. Scientology tactics included a criminal conspiracy in the 1970s to bug IRS offices, which led to 11 convictions of church members including founder L. Ron Hubbard's wife. Scientology filed dozens of lawsuits against the IRS, hired private investigators to dig up dirt on IRS employees and financed other IRS critics. |
crimes, IRS, Press, Scientology and Society |
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November 4, 2007 |
Belgium Builds Case Against Scientology |
Prosecutors say the evidence points to one conclusion: The Church of Scientology in Belgium is a "criminal organization" that has used fraud and extortion to separate members from their money. |
Belgium, crimes, Press |
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November 4, 2007 |
Belgium Builds Case Against Scientology |
Prosecutors call the church a "criminal organization." The church says it's a "witch hunt." It all began with a woman who wanted her money back. In 1997 a former member of the Church of Scientology, unhappy with courses she had taken, tried to get a refund of 700,000 Belgian francs - about $17,000. Authorities began looking into the church's finances and interviewing people. |
Belgium, crimes, Press |
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October 2, 2005 |
NY Post: Scientology Sex Assault Nightmare |
The New York Post reports that Scientology auditor and course supervisor Gabriel Williams repeatedly raped a 16-year-old Scientologist who had been ordered to live with Williams while she worked at Scientology's Mountain View org. |
crimes, Press |
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January 18, 2003 |
Lawsuit Grinds To Another Delay |
After six years, it finally appeared the wrongful death suit against the Church of Scientology was headed for trial, but a clearly frustrated judge postponed the highly publicized case once again, probably for at least several months. Schaeffer granted the delay so the church could appeal her earlier ruling that Ken Dandar should not be disqualified as attorney for the estate of Lisa McPherson, the church member who died in 1995 after 17 days in the care of Scientologists in Clearwater. |
Clearwater, crimes, lawsuits, Lisa McPherson, Press |
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January 9, 2002 |
Icon Accused of Fleecing Celebrities |
U.S. security regulators trying to piece together an investment scam that reached the highest levels of Hollywood - and a number of unsuspecting Canadians - have banned the alleged operator from ever associating with a financial advisor. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission handed down the punishment following negotiations with former Wall Street icon Reed E. Slatkin, who is accused of running one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American history. Authorities say Mr. Slatkin, an ordained minister in the Church of Scientology, offered people huge returns on investments. |
crimes, Press, Reed Slatkin |
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September 22, 2001 |
Sentencing in Trial Against Scientology |
After 7 months of trial, thousands of written pages, hundreds of people investigated and 12 Scientologists accused, the judge now has to decide whether the 12 members of Scientology are guilty of conspiracy, a crime for which the public prosecutor asked for three months in prison for each. |
crimes, Madrid, Press |
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July 1, 2001 |
Scientology faces ban over jail `infiltration' |
Independent: Scientology faces ban over jail `infiltration' |
crimes |
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June 27, 2001 |
Scientology money laundering in Russia |
Itar-Tass Russia: "Olga Ukhova, director of the regional Dianetics scientology centre, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment conditionally for illegal entrepreneurship and money laundering in particularly large amounts." |
crimes |
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June 27, 2001 |
Tass: Khabarovsk Sect Chief Convicted for Money Laundering |
Olga Ukhova, director of the regional Dianetics scientology centre, was sentenced to six years imprisonment conditionally for illegal entrepreneurship and money laundering. |
crimes, Press |
crimes in the News
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September 30, 1996 |
Patrice Vic Trial Begins - Scientology Executive Charged with Manslaughter |
Trial begins in the death of Patrice Vic. Scientology executive Jean-Jacques Mazier is charged with manslaughter, and 22 other Scientologists also face charges. |
crimes, deaths, France, Patrice Vic, Press |
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April 13, 1990 |
Affidavit of Margery Wakefield |
Testimony tells the story of her experiences in Scientology.">Margery Wakefield's affidavit describes illicit activities, hearing plans to murder individuals, and false imprisonment by the Church of Scientology. |
crimes, Documents, false imprisonment, Margery Wakefield |
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April 23, 1985 |
Los Angeles Police - Public Statement Regarding Eugene Ingram's Wiretapping |
A public announcement by Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates disavowing any cooperation with Eugene Ingram, longtime Scientology agent, who claimed to have obtained a letter from the LAPD authorizing Ingram to eavesdrop on others. |
crimes, Documents, Eugene Ingram, harassment, Los Angeles, CA |
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August 3, 1980 |
Scientologist Elizabeth Eagleton Wiegand, Senator Eagleton, Stephen E. Poludniak, St. Louis. Libby Wiegand, $220,000, company;, |
Scientologist Elizabeth Eagleton Wiegand, niece of Senator Eagleton, and her attorney Stephen E. Poludniak are arrested and charged with extortion and conspiracy in St. Louis. Libby Wiegand had threatened to publicize embarassing information about the senator unless he purchased $220,000 of her stock in a family company; he refused to purchase the stock because he believed the money would go to Scientology. Although Scientology denied any involvement at the time, they later linked it to a Guardian's Office operation in their IRS Form 1023 declaration. |
crimes |
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October 6, 1979 |
Mary Sue Hubbard and 8 Other Scientology Executives Admit Massive Conspiracy |
Hubbard's wife Mary Sue and eight other Scientology executives signed a 282-page (plus exhibits) Stipulation of Evidence that detailed the government's case. That document details the burglaries, forgeries, conspiracies, to obstruct justice and other crimes committed. |
crimes, Guardian Office, Mary Sue Hubbard |
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October 6, 1976 |
Michael Meisner Moves to a Scientology-Rented Apartment; Coverup Continues |
Michael Meisner moves into an apartment at 444 South Burlington Street in Los Angeles. The apartment was rented by Paul Poulon (Collections Officer for the Information Bureau); the Guardian's Office wanted to reduce expenses and it was cheaper for Meisner to hide out in an apartment than in hotel rooms. Meisner spends most of his days at local libraries doing research on the security of government buildings, in order to support one of the cover-up stories, _viz._, that he had entered various government buildings to do an expose on the lack of security. Cinty Raymond and Meisner meet approximately twice a week to discuss the ongoing cover-up. |
crimes, Guardian Office, Los Angeles, CA, Michael Meisner |
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September 28, 1976 |
Mo Budlong writes to Richard Weigand, describing a plan for hiding Michael Meisner from his arrest warrant |
Mo Budlong writes to Richard Weigand, describing a plan for hiding Michael Meisner from his arrest warrant. This constitutes conspiracy, harboring a fugitive, and obstructing justice. |
crimes, Guardian Office, Michael Meisner |
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October 3, 1975 |
Guardian Office Memo Requests Update on Stealing Department of Justice Files |
A Guardian's Office memo is sent to Richard Weigand requesting a compliance report on target 17 of GO 1361. (Target 17 directed the infiltration and theft of files relating to Scientology from the Tax Division or the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.) Weigand added a handwritten note to the memo that target 17 "is almost done" in Washington DC, but that six more weeks would be needed to complete the target at the Justice Department in Los Angeles. |
crimes, Guardian Office, Richard Weigand, Washington DC |
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September 21, 1975 |
Scientologists Commended for Breaking into Government Offices |
Gregory Willardson writes a CSW (Completed Staff Work) to Jane Kember and requests commendations and awards for various staff members who had been involved in executing GO 1361 (which directed breaking into government offices and stealing documents), including Cindy Raymond. |
crimes, Guardian Office, Jane Kember |
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October 10, 1972 |
Guardian's Office Weekly Report Directs Attacks on Paulette Cooper |
Scientology Guardian's Office Weekly Intelligent Report notes that Paulette Cooper is "still actively attacking Scientology" and lists three "handling" actions, including giving New York Scientologists orders to "attack her in as many ways as possible"; this item says that action has already been taken on "wide-scale exposure of PC's sex life." |
crimes, Guardian Office, harassment, New York, Paulette Cooper |
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