Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2002, Page 55
so angry to hear that he was testifying for Scientology that he [Prince] threatened him.
Minton says that Prince told him: ―You have become a Scientologist.‖
Dandar testified that he never asked anyone to lie, and that he has not done anything
inappropriate with the money Minton gave him. He later said in an interview that he thinks
the church is manipulating Minton by threatening him with a racketeering complaint. ―This
man I adore, he was a saint. It‘s like stabbing me in the heart. I‘m just sitting there going,
‗What did they do to you?‘ ‖ (Deborah O‘Neil, St. Petersburg Times, 4/20/02, Internet)
Circuit Jude Susan Schaeffer indicated in early May that the wrongful death suit against
Scientology will not be dismissed because of the allegations of legal misconduct. ―What does
that have to do with the wrongful death case? We‘re going to trial.‖ (Deborah O‘Neil, St.
Petersburg Times, 5/03/02, Internet)
Major Foe Capitulates to Pressure
Longtime critic Robert Minton, who has spent millions fighting Scientology and financing
lawsuits against it, has withdrawn from the fray. The move, which follows a series of
negotiating sessions with church lawyers, was signaled by Minton‘s testimony in a wrongful
death suit against Scientology — a suit that he himself funded — which actually supported
the Scientology case. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Scientology‘s legal onslaught
against Minton, and pressure on his family, stimulated his shocking reversal.
The proceedings that led up to Minton‘s decision to end his crusade against Scientology
concerned the case of Lisa McPherson she died while under the care of fellow Scientologists
who had taken her to their headquarters so that she could avoid psychiatric treatment,
which is against their teachings. In court, Minton frequently invoked his Fifth Amendment
right against self-incrimination in response to Scientology questions about his financial
dealings, including the question of whether he underreported his income to the IRS. The
judge ordered him to answer, and threatened him with contempt of court when he did not
appear for a deposition.
The Times reported that the church used discovery motions and depositions to pry into
Minton‘s personal and business affairs, using his bank and phone records, and information
about guns he owns. ―It was like ―The Terminator was after you,‖ Minton said. Delving into
his finances, Minton added, Scientology stirred up an allegation that he had helped a
Nigerian dictator launder $12 million as part of a business deal 12 years ago, a charge that
Minton denies.
Former Scientologist Jesse Prince, who befriended Minton, says that Minton showed him a
draft of a RICO civil racketeering action prepared by Scientology seeking $110 million in
damages. Minton‘s former lawyer, Ken Dandar, called the RICO allusion is ―an absolute,
factual threat.‖
At one point, Dandar recalls, Minton called him, frantic: ―Ken, you have to help me. They‘ve
got me this time. If you don‘t drop the case Monday morning, the blood and death of my
daughters, my wife and myself will be on your hands.‖ Scientology had circulated leaflets
about him to his neighbors in New Hampshire and Boston calling him a ―hate monger‖
leading a ―KKK-style‖ attack on a religion, according to a ―harassment‖ timeline maintained
by critics and entered into court records. Scientologists picketed him at his home and at
airports. He says that a Scientology official sent photographs and a letter to his wife
accusing him of adultery.
Prince said in a court document that Minton told him: ―Scientology had gathered enough
information ...to get him prosecuted, convicted, and jailed. ...that Scientology had
information to also convict his wife.‖
so angry to hear that he was testifying for Scientology that he [Prince] threatened him.
Minton says that Prince told him: ―You have become a Scientologist.‖
Dandar testified that he never asked anyone to lie, and that he has not done anything
inappropriate with the money Minton gave him. He later said in an interview that he thinks
the church is manipulating Minton by threatening him with a racketeering complaint. ―This
man I adore, he was a saint. It‘s like stabbing me in the heart. I‘m just sitting there going,
‗What did they do to you?‘ ‖ (Deborah O‘Neil, St. Petersburg Times, 4/20/02, Internet)
Circuit Jude Susan Schaeffer indicated in early May that the wrongful death suit against
Scientology will not be dismissed because of the allegations of legal misconduct. ―What does
that have to do with the wrongful death case? We‘re going to trial.‖ (Deborah O‘Neil, St.
Petersburg Times, 5/03/02, Internet)
Major Foe Capitulates to Pressure
Longtime critic Robert Minton, who has spent millions fighting Scientology and financing
lawsuits against it, has withdrawn from the fray. The move, which follows a series of
negotiating sessions with church lawyers, was signaled by Minton‘s testimony in a wrongful
death suit against Scientology — a suit that he himself funded — which actually supported
the Scientology case. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Scientology‘s legal onslaught
against Minton, and pressure on his family, stimulated his shocking reversal.
The proceedings that led up to Minton‘s decision to end his crusade against Scientology
concerned the case of Lisa McPherson she died while under the care of fellow Scientologists
who had taken her to their headquarters so that she could avoid psychiatric treatment,
which is against their teachings. In court, Minton frequently invoked his Fifth Amendment
right against self-incrimination in response to Scientology questions about his financial
dealings, including the question of whether he underreported his income to the IRS. The
judge ordered him to answer, and threatened him with contempt of court when he did not
appear for a deposition.
The Times reported that the church used discovery motions and depositions to pry into
Minton‘s personal and business affairs, using his bank and phone records, and information
about guns he owns. ―It was like ―The Terminator was after you,‖ Minton said. Delving into
his finances, Minton added, Scientology stirred up an allegation that he had helped a
Nigerian dictator launder $12 million as part of a business deal 12 years ago, a charge that
Minton denies.
Former Scientologist Jesse Prince, who befriended Minton, says that Minton showed him a
draft of a RICO civil racketeering action prepared by Scientology seeking $110 million in
damages. Minton‘s former lawyer, Ken Dandar, called the RICO allusion is ―an absolute,
factual threat.‖
At one point, Dandar recalls, Minton called him, frantic: ―Ken, you have to help me. They‘ve
got me this time. If you don‘t drop the case Monday morning, the blood and death of my
daughters, my wife and myself will be on your hands.‖ Scientology had circulated leaflets
about him to his neighbors in New Hampshire and Boston calling him a ―hate monger‖
leading a ―KKK-style‖ attack on a religion, according to a ―harassment‖ timeline maintained
by critics and entered into court records. Scientologists picketed him at his home and at
airports. He says that a Scientology official sent photographs and a letter to his wife
accusing him of adultery.
Prince said in a court document that Minton told him: ―Scientology had gathered enough
information ...to get him prosecuted, convicted, and jailed. ...that Scientology had
information to also convict his wife.‖
