Report: Church of Scientology Under Federal Investigation for Free Labor
The Church of Scientology is reportedly under federal investigation for human trafficking and using unpaid labor, in part due to work allegedly performed on behalf of Tom Cruise, according to the New Yorker (via Huffington Post). The charges surfaced in a profile of Oscar-winning writer-director Paul Haggis ('Crash'), who left Scientology in 2009 after 34 years following a disagreement with church officials.
Ed. Note: The reported federal investigation is of the Church of Scientology alone. Tom Cruise is not the subject of any investigation at this time, as was previously mentioned in our story based on existing reports.
For the New Yorker profile, entitled 'Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology,' writer Lawrence Wright spoke to the filmmaker, several former church members and two FBI investigators, who allegedly "assured me [Wright] that the case remains open," referring to a 2009 investigation into abuse claims against the church. Reports indicate the abuse charges relate to, in part, paying church members just $50 per week to meet Cruise's demands, which included customizing a building and repairing boats and motorcycles.
In a statement, the church and Cruise denied the allegations and any knowledge of the investigation, and said the New Yorker "irresponsibly" used "discredited" sources to write a misleading article in an effort to attract attention.
The New Yorker article is peppered with claims of physical and mental abuse as well as accusations of financial impropriety against David Miscavige, a close personal friend of Cruise and the head of the church. For his part, Haggis told Wright that he resigned from the church because he disagreed with its stance on same-sex marriage (he believes banning it is discriminatory) and caught church spokesman Tommy Davis lying in a 2008 CNN interview by denying the church had a "disconnection" policy that encourages members to disassociate themselves from friends or family who do not support the church.
According to a former Scientologist interviewed by Wright, members who fail the church in some way are often sent against their will to Rehabilitation Project Force camps, described in the article as "punitive re-education camps." One former member, Bruce Hines, claims to have been confined to the camps, where he was forced to do manual labor and spiritual therapy, for more than six years.
A spokesman for the church told the New Yorker that members entered the camps voluntarily and were free to leave at any time, and AOL News reports that, according to a federal law enforcement source, investigation into the charges had "fallen short" and charges were not expected to be filed.
The claims against Miscavige allege he lives a lavish lifestyle -- including employing two private chefs, flying on chartered jets and owning a collection of expensive cars and custom made shoes -- as the leader of the church, despite federal laws that forbid the heads of tax exempt groups to profit from their organizations.
The New Yorker notes that it was Miscavige, and not Cruise directly, who ordered the workers to perform manual labor for the actor.
This is not the first time Cruise has faced criticism over his involvement with the Church of Scientology. The once-untouchable star endured a major backlash -- one that has haunted his career since -- from the medical community when he defended the church's stance on mental illness and psychiatry during a heated exchange with Matt Lauer on 'Today' in 2005.
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Tom Cruise Snapshots
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There was a time when I was a huge Tom fan..Sadly now when i see pix like this of him,and see where he has gone in his career and life choices. I get a eerie {HOward HUghes in the making}
feeling...SOmething is just not right!
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This organization is not Biblical. You find nothing in the Bible about it. The only Church you read about is Churches of Christ. Roman 16:16 and Mathew 16:18.
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That's right, Debra. Because it's a CHRISTIAN bible. Other bibles say other things.
Why don't they just call it what it is.....a CULT!!!
Right, like the one written by Anton LeVay.
Alexander Campbell and Bart Stone founded YOUR church, Debbie. Research it!
I'm not defending this or any other religion, but Christianity started as a cult too......
Sherry:
You need to look up the Merriam-Webster definition of what a cult is.
Religion is like a penis...... its fine to have one
its fine to be proud on it
However please dont take it out in public and wave it around, and PLEASE dont shove it down my childrens throat!!!!
Hey Genius,
All religions are man made. The bible was written by men. Unless of course I missed the front where is says The Bible: By God.
No need to rag on Scientology, your cult/religion is absolutely no better, just icer clothing on your pedophile leaders.
Jew Christian Krishna Mormon...pick your own poison it makes no difference.
It didn't start as a religion. It was originally a continuation of Hubbard's Dianetics "therapy" until he realized in the seventies that he could enjoy tax-exempt status by calling it a church. It is, and always has been, a scam that has metastisized into something far worse.
Thats right and btw There is only ONE bible scientologists are just a bunch of crazy rich zealots that need yet another way to uplift and separate themselves from us small folk.They are a joke and their "teachings" are just whacked. Soon everybody will be asked to drink the kool-aid when they are all exposed for being the freaks they are. Gives me chills those weird cult people they are all programmed sheep how can they actually believe the stuff they preach?(Shivers) wheres my crucifix???
.......all religions are cults. One preacher gets up with a philosophy and hundreds of not millions follow. The only reason you are not a Buddhist is that you were not born in China, the only reason we are not Muslims is that we were not born in Riyadh, etc. Religious people are uneducated and easily swayed. Look at the Hubble telescope gallery and tell me someone created all that.
I think you are on to something Debra. not many people realize how fake scientology is. the lies that are told about this cult are sad and it should be banned with every cult out there. how is bashing someone who really isn't perfect when everyone has made mistakes the right thing to do? we all are sinners!
yeah, but the only unicorns you will find is in the fiction with unicorns
GEE, WHAT A SURPRISE! SAT IT AIN'T SO JOE, UHH TOM...
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SAY
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I think to judge him is not right. It clearly states in the article that he did not order people to do these things. I think it is best to reserve judgement after the all the facts have surfaced.
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Yeah I'm sure Tom thought those folks were just really nice and wanted to help him or that they were being paid accordingly. Sad thing is the avg American would already be arrested for these accusation.
So HE says.