Scientology Facing Trial for Fraud in France

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.

The church calls the allegations “empty and concocted,” adding that woman had been reimbursed. The public prosecutor seemed to agree, asking that the case be shelved, but the judge ignored the request. Scientology has faced numerous such legal battles in France, which, like many European countries, refuses to recognize it as anything other than a commercial venture. (More Scientology stories.)