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
***NO CANADA RIGHTS*** UK SALES: Contact: Caroline (44) 207 431 1598 - Must Byline EROTEME.CO.UK Tom Cruise and Mission Impossible IV Director Brad Bird have a private chat on-set in Burnaby, BC Canada. NON-EXCLUSIVE December 13, 2010 Job: 101213NP2 Burnaby, BC Canada www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com
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No where in the bible will you find the word Homosexual. I think intolerance is the biggest sin!
Sandy: People have the right to believe in God, as they see Him. Just because there are people out there who don't share all your beliefs, doesn't mean that what they believe means nothing. As far as homosexuality is concerned, I believe gays are born that way. I, too, was taught that it's wrong, it's unnatural, etc., etc. As I became an adult and began to see articles about homosexuality, I came to the conclusion that gays are born that way and it's not a choice. They are born gay, just as other people are born straight. They live a part of their lives differenly. So what? You can believe whatever you choose to believe, but to put others down for not believing what you believe is ignorant.
Actually, I am no bible thumper...but it does say man shall not lay down with man...not sure which book...maybe genesis, or acts
Madam, kindly go screw yourself. It's a sure bet no one else will.
correction - there is only ONE BIBLE and that is the TORAH - the JEWISH BIBLE you christians made up another book based on a man you think is the son of god
In the original version of leviticus, homosexuality was NOT referred to as an "abomination"; it was merely one of many acts that would cause a person to be "ritually unclean" (including if a woman wore 2 different types of fabric at the same time). And, how did one fix being "unclean"? By taking a ritual bath and saying some prayers. So, Sandy, and every other religous nutcase on this planet, get your facts straight; don't just memorize these fairy tales, try to learn about the evil history of all organized religions.
Wow. See you in hell.
oh gezzz, another wacko
Sandy, think about it. Don't ALL religions believe their writings are the ONLY true ones, just like you do? Duh. Otherwise, who would be in the religion they're in, except that they believed it was the only "right" one? Christianity is no different, except that Christians seem to be a lot more sanctimonious about it. Some religions are a lot more inclusive and nonjudgmental.
You must be Jewish since all Bibles since the conception of the Jewish testament are altered and contain changes and aberaations of the truth
Hey, Sandy, that's a lot of bible thumping you are doing there.
Do you believe everything you read?? The Bible is just an old book written by men, and as such is bound to be flawed.
Kindly keep your religion to yourself, and I'll do the same.
Leviticus also says if your children disrespect you that you have to kill them...and if a a man sleeps in a bed with a woman having her period it is a mortal sin...you believe all that too? You stone your kids to death when they get lippy? Remember, the Bible was written by men and men are fallible, it was divinely inspired, but as Christians we don't worship the Bible, we worship Christ and his teachings. I didn't see anywhere in the Bible where Christ himself said to KILL anyone or not forgive anyone or that anyone was not a son or child of God, and He died for all of our sins, so how about stopping the homophobia and hate, and remembering that Christ preached about love, not HATE!!!
This surprises you? Really? Who cares.
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This cult is a criminal organization. The last FBI raid in the 70's uncovered hundreds of crimes. The founder's wife, along with 10 other executives, all went to jail because of the crimes uncovered. They need to be investigated, not because they believe in Xenu, but because of their crimes.
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More BAD press on this so called,'relgion' with cruise always
making exuses for it.Meanwhile some real Brainwashings going on.
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I think Tom should show up on Oprah and start jumping on her couch - That should tell you where his mind is.
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Sounds like Cruise has his own little version of "Dan Halen Industries" going on? Run Katie run!
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And PLEASE KATIE DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE KIDS WITH YOU