Scientology Guilty of Fraud, Rules French Court

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»

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»

Works of L. Ron Hubbard labeled 'extremist'

(NEWSER) - The works of L. Ron Hubbard are no longer welcome in Russia. Officials say they intercepted a shipment of books and recordings by the Scientology founder and decided that they should be banned as extremist literature that "undermines the traditional spiritual values of the citizens of the Russian Federation." Prosecutors made the decision after consulting with psychiatrists and psychologists, reports the Moscow Times . 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»