Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


24

Scientology Guilty of Fraud, Rules French Court

But ruling stops short of outright ban

Share

(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."

A French court found the Church of Scientology guilty of fraud and fined it $600,000. It stopped short of banning the group.
A French court found the Church of Scientology guilty of fraud and fined it $600,000. It stopped short of banning the group.   (©Mike Tigas)
French Scientology Church branch spokeswoman Danielle Gounord, arrives at Paris court house, Monday, May 25, 2009.
French Scientology Church branch spokeswoman Danielle Gounord, arrives at Paris court house, Monday, May 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
24 comments
VIEWING:
 
cochiserocks
Oct 27, 09 6:49 AM CDT
Ok cementhead, I'm interested to hear what you're gong to make of this... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
DarkFrancis
Oct 27, 09 7:14 AM CDT
Not been the best week for the CoS, to which I can only respond, 'good'. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
prowlerzee
Oct 27, 09 7:53 AM CDT
Oo, I missed the other bad news, darn. Too bad France didn't also ban the cult. Now we need to follow suit and fine our own televangelists and megachurches.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
IN RESPONSE:
bewilderbeast
Oct 27, 09 8:11 AM CDT
Oy, easy! What right do you have to stop me from profiting (tax free) from misleading a bunch of gullible people? It's my God-, well L Ron, -given right to make money! Oh, and blessed be Our Leader Mr High Priest Cruise.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
Vyridian
Oct 27, 09 8:22 PM CDT
Haven't they learned anything? You don't directly pressure people to pay money, you just tell them they are going to spend eternity in Hell if they don't cough up the cash. Or, in the CoS's case, an eternity watching Tom Cruise movies.
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 24 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

13 Stories

FOR THE XENU WHO HAS EVERYTHING

 Inside the 
 Scientology 
 Holiday Catalog 

And yes, that is a picture of Santa at a Scientology Christmas bash

Nov 4, 09 10:37 AM CST
(Newser) - Not sure what to buy Tom Cruise for Christmas? Just take a gander at the Scientology Holiday Catalog, which Jezebel's Dodai got her hands on by way of a reader. Noteworthy items include a collection of 18 Nigerian goatskin-bound books of The Basics for a cool $2,000, a $4,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • Scientology • Tom Cruise • celebrity • Christmas • Scientologists

 Cruise Hails 
 Scientology at 
 Secret Confab 

'We never took our eyes off prize,' actor tells faithful

Oct 21, 09 2:32 AM CDT
(Newser) - Tom Cruise was one of the inspirational speakers at a secret Scientology confab in Britain, apparently attributing his success to his membership in the controversial organization. Cruise was joined by Katie Holmes and daughter Suri, John Tavolta and Kelly Preston, and some 4000 other guests at the hush-hush international gathering... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Scientology • Tom Cruise • John Travolta • England • Katie Holmes • celebrity • cult • Suri Cruise • Kelly Preston • celebrities

investigation

Scientology Boss Beat Staff: Defectors

Former execs accuse leader of conducting violent 'reign of terror'

Jun 23, 09 7:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - The leader of the Church of Scientology routinely beat up execs who displeased him, defectors tell the St. Petersburg Times. The men—the highest-ranking Scientologists ever to leave the organization—say David Miscavige attacked and humiliated staffers on the slightest whim. Miscavige, the defectors say in this 3-part investigative series,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Scientology • Scientologists • David Miscavige • Marty Rathbun • Mike Rinder

13 Stories

Copyright 2009 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.



Crime & Courts  •  World 
TwitterFollow @NewserCrime on Twitter

 
fraud • Scientology • France • cult • Scientologists

from our news partners