Breaking News: Survivors Issue Statement about Criminal Charges Against Danny Masterson
June 17, 2020 – Los Angeles, CA
In a statement issued June 17, 2020 the survivors of Danny Masterson’s sexual abuse commend the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for filing criminal charges against Masterson.
Survivors Issue Statement about Criminal Charges Against Danny Masterson
In a statement issued June 17, 2020 the survivors of Danny Masterson’s sexual abuse commend the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for filing criminal charges against Masterson.
“Since we were victimized and raped by Danny Masterson—and knowing we are not the only victims—all we have wanted was justice, accountability, and truth. Instead, we were subjected to continued harassment, embarrassment, and re-victimization by Masterson and the Church of Scientology, which has only worsened since they learned we were cooperating with authorities. We are thankful that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office is finally seeking criminal justice against Masterson after a three-year investigation. We are confident that the truth will be known and hope that the charges filed today are the first steps in this long journey of healing, justice, and holding those that victimized us accountable.”
The survivors are represented by Philadelphia attorneys Brian Kent, Gaetano D’Andrea, and Stewart Ryan of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP, Marci Hamilton of CHILD USA, Jeffrey Fritz of Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., and California attorney Robert Thompson of Thompson Law Offices, P.C.
No additional statements or interviews will be granted by the survivors at this time.
Breaking News: Lawsuit Filed Against Church Of Scientology
August 14, 2019 – Los Angeles, CA
Today, attorneys representing four sexual assault survivors filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the Church of Scientology, the de facto leader of Scientology David Miscavige and actor/staff member Danny Masterson.
Today, attorneys representing four sexual assault survivors filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the Church of Scientology, the de facto leader of Scientology David Miscavige and actor/staff member Danny Masterson. All four of the survivors, three of whom are former Scientologists, allege that they were sexually assaulted by Masterson; that Scientology, Miscavige, and Masterson conspired to cover up these sexual assaults; and that they then tried to ruin the survivors through intimidation, stalking, harassment, threats, exploitation and invasion of privacy when the victims finally spoke out.
Attorney Brian Kent said, “Since its inception, Scientology has sought to cover up sexual assault and abuse and to silence survivors and advocates who report or speak out about the abuse. This is done systematically and pursuant to Scientology’s own policies and procedures. Scientology leaders and members have systematically silenced and intimidated victims of sexual and physical abuse or assault by forbidding them from reporting their abuse to law enforcement and blaming the victims for the abuse they suffered. We cannot stand by while Scientology permits abuse and assault, tries to cover up the egregious acts and then attempts to intimidate survivors and advocates into silence.”
According to co-counsel and Professor Marci Hamilton, “The tragic facts of sexual assault and abuse within Scientology and the cover up are now coming to light. These brave survivors deserve justice and to be treated with respect and dignity. What they have had to suffer is simply unacceptable. The conduct of the defendants – regardless of their beliefs – is illegal. These victims deserve justice.”
This is the second in a series of lawsuits seeking to expose abuses within Scientology filed by Philadelphia attorneys Brian Kent, Gaetano D’Andrea, H. Nellie Fitzpatrick, Stewart Ryan, and Lauren Stram of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP, Marci Hamilton of CHILD USA, Jeffrey Fritz of Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., California attorney Robert Thompson of Thompson Law Offices, P.C. and Ricardo Martinez-Cid and Lea Bucciero of Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Anyone with information about The Church of Scientology or who has information about victimization within Scientology can call the law firm’s hotline at 855-382-3385. For more information, go to https://scientologyabuselawsuit.com/.
No additional statements or interviews will be granted by the attorneys or their clients at this time.
Breaking News: Lawsuit Filed Against Church Of Scientology
June 18, 2019 – Los Angeles, CA
A lawsuit has been filed against the Church Of Scientology by a former member alleging several years of heinous abuse, human trafficking, and intimidation by members including David Miscavige.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Attorney Contacts: Brian Kent 215-399-9255 | [email protected]
Prof. Marci Hamilton 215-353-8984 | [email protected]
Church of Scientology and Leader David Miscavige Sued for Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Intimidation of Former Member
Attorneys representing Jane Doe filed the first of multiple lawsuits to hold the Church of Scientology accountable for its extensive history of alleged abuse including its “Fair Game” policy that demands members destroy, by any means necessary, anyone who speaks out against the abuses committed within the Church
LOS ANGELES (June 18, 2019) – Today, attorneys representing Jane Doe, a former member of the Church of Scientology, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles, Calif., alleging years of heinous abuse, human trafficking, and intimidation by members including David Miscavige, the de facto leader of the Church of Scientology. Jane Doe worked within Scientology for years, including directly for Miscavige.
The complaint filed in the case details Scientology’s disturbing practices including rampant child abuse, exploitative commercial practices, horrific forced labor, and the devastating policies that seek to destroy families and escaped former members. This includes the official “Fair Game” policy which tells members to attack, injure, harass, embarrass, and destroy anyone who chooses to speak out against the Church of Scientology and Miscavige.
Jane Doe was born into Scientology. The complaint alleges that beginning at age six, Doe was subjected to constant interrogation, abuse, harassment, and indoctrination by the Church of Scientology and its members. Doe alleges that she was forced to work under inhumane conditions for little pay in various para-military branches of Scientology pursuant to the “billion-year contract” she was forced to sign. Doe, while working directly for the hostile Miscavige, observed him assault and orchestrate attacks on other members. She was subject to solitary confinement and threats. Doe was threatened with “disconnection,” where the Church of Scientology instructs its members, including family and friends, to shun an escaped Scientologist. She ultimately escaped Scientology in 2017. After she left, Doe states that after speaking out against Scientology, she was subjected to persistent public attacks, which included innumerable false statements published online and on social media.
Attorney Brian Kent of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP said, “Scientology for decades has sought to quash dissention, cover up its long history of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of its members, including its most vulnerable members, its children, and weaponize its doctrine against those who escape and find the courage to speak up. This is just the beginning and we are not going to stop until they do.”
“There is no religious liberty defense for harming others,” said Marci Hamilton, University of Pennsylvania Professor and CEO and Academic Director of CHILD USA. “The CSI believers have the right to believe anything they want. But they cannot do whatever they want. This lawsuit continues the important work of the #MeToo era to bring institutions and individuals to account for child abuse, trafficking, and neglect.”
Doe is represented by victims’ attorneys (who have represented victims of abuse within Penn State University, the Catholic Church, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others) including Philadelphia attorneys Brian Kent, Gaetano D’Andrea, H. Nellie Fitzpatrick, Stewart Ryan, and Lauren Stram of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP, Marci Hamilton of CHILD USA, Jeffrey Fritz of Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., and California attorney Bobby Thompson of Thompson Law Offices, P.C.
Anyone with information about The Church of Scientology or who has information about victimization within Scientology can call the law firm’s hotline at 855-382-3385. For more information, go to scientologyabuselawsuit.com.
Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP is a personal injury law firm representing individuals seriously injured due to the negligence of others. The firm represents people who have been catastrophically injured in construction accidents and at work, in auto accidents and as a result of defective products. The Philadelphia lawyers also have a long history of representing sexual assault, sexual abuse and crime victims in civil actions. For more information, go to www.laffeybuccikent.com.