France Tries Scientology for Fraud

Church and leaders were convicted in 2009

(NEWSER) - The Church of Scientology opened an appeal today of a 2009 fraud conviction in France , reports the AP . The original case convicted Scientology's French branch, bookstore, and six leaders of fraud related to pressuring members into paying for expensive but questionable treatments, as well as harassing recruits. The church and bookstore were fined $830,000, and four of the group's leaders were given suspended sentences of between 10 months and two years. The church plans to argue that the conviction violates freedom of religion; France, however, does not consider Scientology to be a religion. More»

After 33 years, Larry Anderson wants out

(NEWSER) - After 33 years as a Scientologist and a star turn in a widely disseminated orientation video, actor Larry Anderson wants out—and he wants his money back. Anderson, a magician turned TV actor and game-show host, says the organization owes him $120,000. A Scientology rep tells the St. Petersburg Times Anderson's payments were donations, and "any refund of donations lies within the sole discretion of the church." More»

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»

Ian Griffin removed cash from account of murdered lover: cops

(NEWSER) - A British tycoon suspected of fatally beating his wealthy lover with furniture and his fists in a Paris hotel has been found camping in England, reports the Telegraph. Ian Griffin, 39, was tracked down "living rough" in Cheshire, said a police source. He had withdrawn a "large amount" of cash from his lover's account, according to cops. Griffin tried to flee by sea after Polish millionnaire Kinga Legg's battered body was found last week, but he was unable to quickly obtain a boat. More»

(NEWSER) - The tycoon lover of a Polish businesswoman found battered to death in the bathtub of a ritzy Paris hotel claims the woman attacked him with a stun gun before a fatal fight, reports the Times of London. British millionaire Ian Griffin told a former girlfriend that Kinga Legg used a stun gun that was disguised as a lipstick. The two trashed the room in the midst of a deadly row after drinking "copious" amounts of champagne last week in the Bristol, said authorities. More»