Report: Church of Scientology Under Federal Investigation for Free Labor

By John Mitchell Posted Feb 8th 2011 05:45PM

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.

Tags: scientology, tom cruise

Comments

(399)

Tuesday 08 February

By Sunny

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I so agree: Run Katie Run!!!

By Alan

Ive been behind the scenes of Scientology in Clearwater and I know one member who has labored on a 24hr "on call" since 1977 and has never received a paycheck

By dmhigdon

Now who is stupid here?

By wvvincent

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Having members clean up motorbikes is no different from volunteering at a church bake sale. Also, the work camp rehabs are used by other religions for different reasons (gay camps, alcohol and drug rehabs). Lastly, can you honestly say that the catholic church does not profit? That these TV evangelists are rolling in cash (send me your money)? It is probably a good idea for politicians to step off of scientologists. While I may not believe in their religion, I will defend their right to practice it ... to the death. This is the basis of the US constitution.

By Robert

Why can't you understand that it is not a religion and you are no Rhodes Scholar.

By Deana

I totally agree with Sandy on here. There is only one religion, and that's christianity, and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Every other teaching is a cult. Scientology is just that!!

Wednesday 09 February

By Stephanie

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Deana,

Are you forgetting that Jesus was a Jew?

By Eric the Great

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Yes, Jesus was a Jew. But his appostles were his followers, as we all should be. Christianity is simply Jewish phase 2. Following the Old Testament (Jewish), add Christ's instructions, you get the New Testament (Christianity).

You wouldn't say that an apple is a seed because it came from a seed. The apple originated from the seed, but is no longer a seed, but is now an apple!

When people say things like "Jesus was a Jew," it's the same thing. Yes, Jesus was a Jew. But Christianity grew from the Jewish faith and is no longer Jewish, but Christianity.

By psychogranny

I have honestly never cared for Tom Cruise. I find him unattractive and mediocre as an actor. He is good at choosing parts, which lead him to the money.
But, when he and others like Travolta tout Scientology, I am done. I don't watch their films, ever.

By phoenix52

all religions were created by men to control and manipulate other men. All of them without exception.

By kluji

I agree with Amused....and my wife agrees with you too!

By dck

Respectfully to our brothers and sisters struggling with homosexuality, homosexuality is defined by sexual intercourse, period. It is defined by nothing else. It cannot be defined by children. It cannot defined by true love. True love is defined by God and God defines heterosexuality. And too, homosexuality cannot be defined by marriage. God defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Homosexuality is defined BY sexual intercourse, an act. May the love and mercy of God shine like a rainbow on those struggling with sexual perversion (i.e., addiction, etc.).

By tango1775

Don't get mad at him! He's just waiting for the mother-ship to beam him up!

By Pam

All "religions" are cults. All of these so-called religions are just made-up fairy tales. What's the difference between these wackos and the rest of them? None, as far as I can tell. Christianity seems to be the meanest religion of them all. I was raised Catholic and after asking lots of questions and getting bs for answers, I realized at a very young age, that religion is only for controlling people and keeping them obedient to a bunch of made-up crap.

By tarhop41

I lost all respect in him when he was on the Today Show with Matt Lauer and after jumping on the couch on Oprah. He's mentally ill himself jmho....... I wish these actors would just shut up and act.

By NORMA C.

Nut cases

By joan

About time that someone investigated that bogus 'church'. The stupidity and rationality of some people is profound.

By toocool

Scientology appeals to these actors because it promotes thinking that they are gods....not worshiping GOD. That building in Hollywood is ridiculous,,,"Celebrity center"...how self important do you have to be to go to a church that puts you in big red glittery letters....conceit at it's finest

By Linda

The Church of Scientology was started by L Ron Hubbard...a Science Fiction writer. The story I heard was that L Ron and his buddies were drinkin it up at a local bar. L Ron made a bet that he could write a book about a fictional religion and people would buy into it. Thus Scientology was born. True or not the facts are the founder of Scientology was a fiction writer NOT a religious leader. He is of course dead now and whereever he is he is laughing his azz off. A true cult if ever there was one.

By Sharon

I heard the exact same thing that you just said. When John T. wife had their son, Ben, she said that if there is noise in the room while the baby is being born that it upsets the baby. How many people remember being born? ZERO

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