Scientology Files Fraud Appeal in France

But ruling stops short of outright ban

(AP) - A Paris court has convicted the Church of Scientology's French branch of fraud and fined it $600,000, but stopped short of the ban on the group that was sought by prosecutors. Church leaders were found guilty of pressuring members into paying large sums of money for questionable financial gain. The court handed them suspended sentences of between 10 months and two years. The court did not order the group to shut down, ruling that it would be likely to continue its activities anyway, "outside any legal framework." More»

Woman charges church bilked her out of $28K for supplies, drugs

(NEWSER) - An imminent court case could lead to the Church of Scientology being banned in France, the BBC reports, with the controversial sect being accused of organized fraud by a former congregant. The woman claims she was suckered by the offer of a free personality test, and wound up spending more than $28,000 on books, illegally prescribed drugs, and other supplies. More»

(NEWSER) - The church of Scientology goes on trial for fraud today in a landmark case in France, reports the BBC. The American organization is widely regarded in the nation as a sect, and if Scientology is found guilty of a crime, it could be banned in the country. It's the first time the organization, rather than individual officials, will be on trial in France. Charges were triggered by a female member who complained she was pressured to spend her savings on books and a Scientology electronic meter. More»

Organization 'obsessed with fundraising,' disgruntled member says

(NEWSER) - A leading Scientologist is attempting to spark a revolt against chief David Miscavige, who has led the organization since the death of L. Ron Hubbard 26 years ago. Miscavige has ignored the teaching of L. Ron Hubbard and turned Scientology into a fundraising machine that bleeds wealthy members dry to construct lavish buildings and stockpile more than $1 billion in cash, Debra Cook wrote in an email to more than 12,000 current and former Scientologists. Cook was a top-ranking Scientology executive for decades before leaving the organization's payroll to start an Internet firm in 2008. More»

Organization snaps up historic Sunset Boulevard site

(NEWSER) - Whether or not you want to see more movies based on L. Ron Hubbard's writings—and most critics who saw Battlefield: Earth would sooner go blind—Scientologists now have the facilities to make them. The controversial organization has bought a landmark movie studio in Hollywood from a struggling public television station, reports the Telegraph. More»