The Church of Scientology and its leader, David Miscavage, have been hit with the first of what is expected to be multiple lawsuits from a former member accusing the Church of child abuse, human trafficking, and forced labor against her and other ex-Scientologists.
The suit, which was filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court by a woman identified as “Jane Doe,” seeks unspecified general, special, and compensatory damages; as well as unpaid wages from the Church, its Religious Technology Center, its “ecclesiastical leader,” and 25 unnamed co-respondents at a jury trial.
The woman who filed the lawsuit says she was raised in the Church from birth and, at the age of 15, became a personal steward to Miscavige, who is identified as the “ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion.”
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Other allegations include libel, slander, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit seeks double or triple damages on claims the Church violated California labor and human trafficking laws, alleging:
“The Church of Scientology presents a facade to the outside world to disguise what, in reality, is nothing more than a cult built on mind control.”
Dang!
Unsurprisingly, the Church is denying all allegations of abuse. In response to Jane Doe’s suit, its lawyers said in a statement:
“We are confident the lawsuit will fail. The church will vigorously defend itself against these unfounded allegations.”
While disturbing allegations against the Church are nothing new, the shocking suit has the potential to inflict some serious damage on the controversial religion and its elusive leader.
The suit might also expose the secrets Scientology’s A-list followers — like Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Kelly Preston — have been keeping for years.
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An insider told Us Weekly Cruise in particular has likely been privy to many of Scientology’s alleged misdeeds, as the 57-year-old actor has been Miscavige’s right-hand man and bestie for years. The source explained:
“[T]here’s very little [Tom] doesn’t know. He and David are like brothers united in their religious devotion. If David is ordering this kind of harassment on people trying to leave the church. Tom would likely see it.”
The lawsuit alleges Jane Doe, who is believed to be around the age of 40, remained at the Church’s Gold Base in San Jacinto, California for 11 or 12 years until 2015, when she was removed as Miscavige’s steward and placed in an isolation program called “the Hole” because she allegedly knew too much about the marital problems between the church leader and his wife.
After she left the Church in 2017, Jane Doe appeared on ex-Scientologist Leah Remini‘s docu-series Scientology and the Aftermath, which has bravely highlighted the stories of former members who claim they were abused and harassed after they left.
Xenu only knows if anything will come out of this lawsuit, but we’ll keep you updated.
[Image via WENN]
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