Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2002, Page 59
Dianetics at Boston Marathon
Church of Scientology members handed out 3,500 helium-filled yellow balloons near the
end of the Boston Marathon course this year. ―We'll get at least 50 to 100 calls today,''
reported one church disciple, who was manning the hotline number printed on the balloons,
which advertised Dianetics, the book by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. (Gayle Fee
and Laura Raposa, Boston Herald, 4/16/02, Internet)
Financier Slatkin Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charge, Cites Scientology Involvement
Reed Slatkin, the investment advisor who provided start-up funds for Internet service
provider EarthLink, has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and conspiracy for bilking almost
800 clients out of nearly $400 million. An unusual provision of Slatkin‘s plea agreement
allows him to request a lighter sentence because of the ―psychological impact of his
association with certain individuals and/or groups,‖ a reference to his long involvement in
Scientology, from which he has reportedly been ―excommunicated.‖ (Ben Berkowitz,
Arizona Republic, 4/30/02, Internet)
Late Comedian Lampooned Her Scientology Experience
Judy Toll, the comedian and writer (―sex and The City‖), who lampooned her time as a
Scientologist, died in early may at the age of 44. After leaving Scientology, Toll demanded
back the money she had spent on Scientology, and when she got it, she took her check to
Kinkos and blew it up to poster size, then brought it onstage with her. (Paul Brownfield, Los
Angeles Times, 5/4/02, Internet)
Scientology Fined in France, but Acquitted on Fraud Charges
A French court has fined the Paris branch of Scientology $7,300 for bombarding a former
member with publicity materials, even tough he wished to end his connection to the group,
but acquitted the organization of attempted fraud and false advertising in its efforts to
recruit and keep members. The president of the Scientology branch was fined $1,800. (CNN
News, 5/17/02, Internet).
Scientologists “Invade” Hospital After Terrorist Attack in Israel
Scientologists in Tel Aviv gained access to the public information center set up at Ichilov
Hospital immediately after the recent terrorist attack in Allenby Street, where they spoke to
families of the inured and gave out ―propaganda material‖ on their ―cult‖, according to Tel
Aviv Hebrew Weekly. They wore shirts bearing the message ―spiritual advisor Scientologist
volunteer,‖ and one even managed to get into the emergency award before being asked to
leave. (Rosalyn Harari, Jerusalem Post, 4/19/02, Internet)
Paris Branch Convicted of Sending Unwanted Literature to Ex-Members
The Paris Branch of Scientology has been found guilty of breaching France‘s laws on
confidentiality after being sued for continuing to send out unwanted literature to former
members. Branch head Marc Wolter was personally fined $1800 in the matter. The church
was, however, cleared of more serious charges of fraud and ―spreading mendacious
publicity.‖
The suit stemmed from a former member‘s complaint that the church had retained his
personal records against his wishes.
The National Union of Associations for the Defense of the Family and the Individual
(UNADFI) [the grassroots cult education and monitoring organization in the French-speaking
world], which brought the case, said that under the current law on sects passed a year ago,
if Scientology is convicted of another infraction, it could be ordered to disband. ―The way is
Dianetics at Boston Marathon
Church of Scientology members handed out 3,500 helium-filled yellow balloons near the
end of the Boston Marathon course this year. ―We'll get at least 50 to 100 calls today,''
reported one church disciple, who was manning the hotline number printed on the balloons,
which advertised Dianetics, the book by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. (Gayle Fee
and Laura Raposa, Boston Herald, 4/16/02, Internet)
Financier Slatkin Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charge, Cites Scientology Involvement
Reed Slatkin, the investment advisor who provided start-up funds for Internet service
provider EarthLink, has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and conspiracy for bilking almost
800 clients out of nearly $400 million. An unusual provision of Slatkin‘s plea agreement
allows him to request a lighter sentence because of the ―psychological impact of his
association with certain individuals and/or groups,‖ a reference to his long involvement in
Scientology, from which he has reportedly been ―excommunicated.‖ (Ben Berkowitz,
Arizona Republic, 4/30/02, Internet)
Late Comedian Lampooned Her Scientology Experience
Judy Toll, the comedian and writer (―sex and The City‖), who lampooned her time as a
Scientologist, died in early may at the age of 44. After leaving Scientology, Toll demanded
back the money she had spent on Scientology, and when she got it, she took her check to
Kinkos and blew it up to poster size, then brought it onstage with her. (Paul Brownfield, Los
Angeles Times, 5/4/02, Internet)
Scientology Fined in France, but Acquitted on Fraud Charges
A French court has fined the Paris branch of Scientology $7,300 for bombarding a former
member with publicity materials, even tough he wished to end his connection to the group,
but acquitted the organization of attempted fraud and false advertising in its efforts to
recruit and keep members. The president of the Scientology branch was fined $1,800. (CNN
News, 5/17/02, Internet).
Scientologists “Invade” Hospital After Terrorist Attack in Israel
Scientologists in Tel Aviv gained access to the public information center set up at Ichilov
Hospital immediately after the recent terrorist attack in Allenby Street, where they spoke to
families of the inured and gave out ―propaganda material‖ on their ―cult‖, according to Tel
Aviv Hebrew Weekly. They wore shirts bearing the message ―spiritual advisor Scientologist
volunteer,‖ and one even managed to get into the emergency award before being asked to
leave. (Rosalyn Harari, Jerusalem Post, 4/19/02, Internet)
Paris Branch Convicted of Sending Unwanted Literature to Ex-Members
The Paris Branch of Scientology has been found guilty of breaching France‘s laws on
confidentiality after being sued for continuing to send out unwanted literature to former
members. Branch head Marc Wolter was personally fined $1800 in the matter. The church
was, however, cleared of more serious charges of fraud and ―spreading mendacious
publicity.‖
The suit stemmed from a former member‘s complaint that the church had retained his
personal records against his wishes.
The National Union of Associations for the Defense of the Family and the Individual
(UNADFI) [the grassroots cult education and monitoring organization in the French-speaking
world], which brought the case, said that under the current law on sects passed a year ago,
if Scientology is convicted of another infraction, it could be ordered to disband. ―The way is
