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Epilogue
The story of
Paulette Cooper
In 1970, Paulette
Cooper published a book called "The Scandal of Scientology". This
resulted in a legal, long-winded battle lasting until 1986, when Cooper
settled with the Church of Scientology (for the second time; the first
settlement had been in 1976). Among other measures, the Church used
forged bomb threats against itself in an attempt to shut Cooper up.
Consequently, she was indicted and arrested. If these measures had
failed, the Church had planned to forge a bomb threat against Henry
Kissinger in Cooper's name. This plan has become known as "Operation
Freakout".
Paulette Cooper
vs. Scientology
Timeline compiled
by Keith Spurgeon
1969-1970
1969
December - Cooper
article "The Tragi-Farce of Scientology" appeared in "Queen" Magazine,
London.
1970
Cooper sued in
Great Britain - Between: The Church of Scientology of California and
Queen Magazine Ltd., High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division,
1970-C-No. 5751.
"Scientology: The
Now Religion" by George Malko published by Dell Publishing, New York.
The Church of
Scientology of California and Rev. Robert H. Thomas v. Dell Publishing
Co., Inc. and George Malko, No. C-10-2089, Northern District of
California.
1971-1975
1971
Foster Report
issued in Great Britain. (Sir John Foster, K.B.E., Q.C., M.P.: Enquiry
into the Practice and Effects of Scientology
26 June - Susan
Meister commits suicide aboard the Apollo.
Summer - Tower
Publications, Inc., New York, published Cooper's book, "The Scandal of
Scientology". (Paulette Cooper: The Scandal of Scientology)
December - Church
of Scientology of California vs. Paulette Cooper, et al., Los Angeles
Superior Court, Docket No. C18558. Church sued Cooper and Tower
Publications for $300,000 for "untrue, libelous and defamatory
statements about the Church."
"The Mind Benders"
by Cyril Vosper published by Neville, Spearman, London. (Cyril Vosper:
The Mind Benders)
1972
30 March - Cooper
sues Church for $15.4 million in damages in New York Supreme Court. Paul
D. Rheingold was Cooper's attorney. Paulette Cooper vs. Church of
Scientology of New York, et al., Supreme Court of State of New York,
County of New York, Index No. 6732/72. (Letter from Sara Northup -
Hubbard's second wife - to Paulette Cooper)
1 April - Article
about Cooper's lawsuit appears in New York Times.
7 November - Nibs
records videotaped interview retracting his testimony against Hubbard in
IRS trial. (GO reports on Cooper:
7 September 1972
DG Comm US
DG US
Guardian Comm WW
The Guardian WW
DG Info WW
DG Info US
cc: DC Comm US
CS-G Comm
CS-G
RE: INTELL US WEEKLY REPORT
W/E 7 September 72
Dear Mo:
SITUATION: Michael Sanders, ex-IRS
Attorney in attack against Church, connected with Kaufman, Cooper and
Nibs in PT.
WHY: Unknown
HANDLING: We have two agents
infiltrated in office where Sanders presently works. Files on
Scientology will be obtained.
SITUATION: Paulette Cooper still
at large.
WHY: Right data has not been
obtained and utilized.
HANDLING: Dunn & Bradstreet report
obtained on her supposed boyfriend Bob Straus.
HANDLING: Rundown and transcripts
of two radio shows Cooper and Nibs appeared on obtained and sent to WW.
HANDLING: Her academic transcript
obtained from City University in New York and more specific info on her
attendance at Columbia University obtained.
HANDLING: Obtained Dunn and
Bradstreet report on Mautner Co. This company connected to Cooper family
and Kaufman.
***
10 October 1972
DG Comm US
DG US
Guardian Comm WW
The Guardian WW
DG Info WW
DG Info US
cc: DC Comm US
CS-G Comm
CS-G
RE: INTELL US WEEKLY REPORT
W/E 25 Sept & 5 Oct 72
Dear Mo:
Here is the weekly report and it
will bring the situations in the US up to date.
SITUATION: Paulette Cooper still
actively attacking Scientology.
WHY: Insufficient data, although
her continuing existance can be traced back to ineffective Bureau IV
actions to handle early on.
HANDLING: Have personnel from US
Operations Section in New York with orders to attack her in as many ways
as possible. First action taken was Operation [illegible] which is
wide-scale exposure of PC's sex life. Via inside contacts in New York,
are investigating and attempting committment procedures in line with the
targets on Operation Dynamite.
HANDLING: DC Operation has
ascertained that Michael Sanders has placed two phone calls to PC since
May. At this time, have not yet located a file in Sander's office on
Paulette. However, access is very tricky operation and lack of
success does not indicate that no file is present.
HANDLING: On West Coast, an
operation being conducted on Jack Horner and John Farrell has come up
with one letter from Paulette to Horner.
***
6 November 1972
DG Comm US
DG US
Guardian Comm WW
The Guardian WW
DG Info WW
DG Info US
cc: CS-G Comm
CS-G
RE: BUREAU IV US WEEKLY REPORT
W/E 2 November 1972
Dear Mo:
SITUATION: Nibs aiding PC,
Sanders, Kaufman, etc., in attack on church.
WHY: Seeking to cash in on name
and family.
HANDLING: Ops received three boxes
of material from Nibs, one containing letters between him and other
attacks indicating ARC-breaks. Filmed interview scheduled to handle
situation now and in the future.
SITUATION: Paulette Cooper
continues as source of trouble for the church.
WHY: Right pressure has not been
brought to bear on her.
HANDLING: Investigation discloses
her father's brother's (Joe Cooper) involvement with Diamond Dealers
Club, organization which consists of selected Diamond Dealers "not
unlike N.Y. Stock Exchange". This group works with diamond syndicate
which is headed up by Mr. Oppenheimer of the Oppenheimer Fund. Plans are
to leak information about diamond syndicate in such a fashion that leak
traces back from Joe Cooper to Ted Cooper to Paulette, thus cutting on
of P.C.'s financial supports.
HANDLING: Agent spoke to
intelligence officer of IRS and gave him data on father that he had made
personal and business income that went into the thousands of dollars
that he had not reported.
HANDLING: Agents took photographs
October 25 of group including Kaufman, Cooper and Bernie Green, as they
came from Channel 5 TV show in New York. Cooper asked agent if he was a
Scientologists, he didn't answer, she screamed "he is one of them",
Green put magazine in front of his face, and Cooper told agent "When the
pictures come out in Freedom and so forth you'll be sued for invasion of
privacy". Such a big effect for so little work.
HANDLING: Handwriting analysis
done on Cooper showing unfavorable characteristics. For use in future
operation.
HANDLING: Full up-to-date
timetrack on Cooper sent to WW and CS-G.
SITUATION: Michael Sanders
HANDLING: Letter has been located
that Sanders wrote to Nibs a few years ago, re the IRS case.
HANDLING: Letter found where
Sanders communicating entheta on Scientology to father of Scientologist
Ty Dillard.
SITUATION: Nibs Hubbard appeared
on radio shows with Paulette Cooper, attacking Scientology.
WHY: Nibs has never gotten the
motivator he sought.
HANDLING: Investigation underway
on Nibs in P.T., as well has data in files on Nibs being evaluated for
P.T. use. Cycle currently very active.
SITUATION: Judge J Skelly Wright
is one of three Judges who turned down decision on CofS.
WHY: Probably pressure from wife
and others.
HANDLING: Investigation has
disclosed that Helen Mitchell Wright has been made the new President-
elect of the NAMH. She will shortly begin service as president. This
will, of course, put her in direct communication with WFMH.
SITUATION: FOLO requested all data
B.4 US has on Sea Org
member Shereen Stuart.
WHY: Unknown.
HANDLED: Complete debrief from
files turned over to FOLO. Shareen has been a pen pal for many years
with a professor in Poland.
6 December -
Stationery stolen from Cooper's apartment by woman soliciting funds for
United Farm Workers. Cooper resided at 16 East 80th St., NYC.
8 December - NY
Church receives first bomb threat.
13 December - NY
Church receives second bomb threat. (Bomb threats)
Bomb threats forged by the Church
of Scientology
Documents of the United States
District Court, District of Columbia, Washington, DC 20001. Criminal
Case Number 78-401. United States of America vs Mary Sue Hubbard, Jane
Kember, and Morris Budlong.
These letters were sent by the
Church of Scientology to itself. These were made to look as though they
had been sent by Paulette Cooper. Both letters had been typed on her
typewriter on paper which had her fingerprints on it.
Scientology promptly contacted the
FBI regarding "threats against a Church."
First bomb threat
These damn books they are
closingin on me
I know you're all around me everywhere. My tongue is
swollen --- i hurt---- my operation----YOU did it to me--
you people are always watching me-Ill get you
you' re like the Nazis or thex Arabs--- I'll bomb you
i'll kill you!
I forget sometimes But I'll get you
If my Friends dont do it then Ill do it!!!
Second bomb threat
JAMES
This is the last time i am warning you
I don't know why I'm doing this but you are all out
to get me i'm sick of this
Hitler -Hubbard-Meisler must b e destroyed
You no longer will look down on me
I give you one week before scientology is a
exploding volcano
I will knock you out if my friends wont
When the first two
bomb threat letters failed to produce a satisfactory result, Scientology
planned a new death threat letter to Sec. of State Henry Kissinger which
has become known as "Operation Freak Out".
Operation Freakout
Main planning document
Page 1
1 April 1976
MAJOT TARGET:
To get P.C incarcerated in a
mental institution or jail, or at least to hit her so hard that she
drops her attacks.
PRIMARY TARGETS:
US B1 NE SEC working in liaison
with OPS NAT if needed.
To remove PC from her position of
Power so that she cannot attack the the C of S.
US B1 SEC Taking responsibility
for the area working in liaison with OPS NAT.
Ops NAT responsible for the
overall planning of this project working in liaison with NE SEC as
needed for completion successfully of this op.
BE SEC and AG I NY organization
operating WITH INFO PGMS PUSHING TGTS THROUGH TO COMPLETION
VITAL TARGETS:
1) To recruiy an FSM that looks
like PC and to train her on this action. AG I N.Y.
2) To recruit an observation FSM
to make a telephone call. No special requirements necessary except
securiety + NOT PTS. AG I N.Y.
3) To get "Pin Ball" FSMs or
T.M. FSM to get familiar with PC to find out some of her clothes she
wears particularly what sort of coat she usually wears and her general
looks, hair etc. Also above FSM or FSMs will have to meet with PC
when the OP goes down. TM FSM to get a piece of PC's clothing AG I N.Y.
if possible.
4) To get a cheap coat that is
very similar to PC's. AG I N.Y.
5) To ascertain what PC looks like
now, hair streaked ? still skinney? etc. AG I N.Y. /cleaners
6) To locate a laundry/near PC's
place and to make sure she isn't known there.-- (NOTE MUST HAVE CLEAR)
AG I N.Y.
7) To find out what PC is
wearing the day of the this action. And what her hair is like. AG I
N.Y.
8) To have someone availible to
steak out PC when she leaves her place the day of the caper, to
ascertain when she leaves, what she's wearing etc. AG I N.Y.
Page 2 of 6
VITAL TARGETS
9) Securiety is IN IN on this
project and "Need to know" is enforced heavily. The only one who needs
to know what happening is the "PC" FSM and she only has to know her
part. AG I N.Y.
10) To have a set of second hand
clothes and a proper wig, ( data) on what to buy obtained from FSM in
V.T #3 ) so that when the caper goes down, PC FSM can instantly get into
the proper color or style of clothes or as close as possible. AG I N.Y.
11) To train all FSMs thoroughly
on each one's actions; and the timing and coordination of each of these
actions. AG I N.Y.
12) To insure that the chosen
laundry is open during the day of the caper. AG I N.Y.
13) Obtain all the necessary
clothes/ Blue Jeans etc that would be necessary for the fast change. AG
I N.Y.
14) Obtain Wig that looks like
PC, so that PC FSM can wear it during caper. AG I N.Y.
15) Brief Pin Ball or TM FSM on
that the FBI or Secret Service will probably talk to them about P.C. FSM
should say his cover and that P.C. has been seeing Psychs for years and
she has memory losses when on pot or when drunk. Work this out
carefully! ________ AG I NY
Page 3 of 6
OPERATING TARGETS:
CHANNEL 1:
1) Telephone call PC to
ascertain if she is home alone. She must be home alone.
_________________ AG I NY
2) When she has been found
alone, telephone ( during the work week ) 2 Arab Consulates in NYC, from
telephone booth nearest PC's place. Telephoner should be a girl that
sounds like PC and the call should be fast, to the point, and impinge.
It should go as follows: from a totally trusted non staff member.
" I just came back from Isreal
( pronounces the way it is pronounced in Isreal ) I've seen what you
fucking bastards do. At least youre not going to kill my sister. I can
get away with anything. I'm going to bomb you basterds. Say something in
Jewish/swear or mumble something jewish. ______________ AG I NY
CHANNEL 2:
1) Obtain a copy of Writer's
DIGEST - a writer's magizine - ( if not availible get any writer's
magizine. ) person who obtains this magizine should be disguized in some
way and not traceible back to the org. Dont order the mag. by mail. One
should easily be found on the newsstands or in "back issues" stores.
___________ AG I NY
2) Obtain the latest promo of the
T.M. ( transidental meditation) that PC is going to, same securiety as
above. ______________ AG I NY
3) Cut out"letters"from both of
the above publications. Include "CAPITOLS". Arrange the letters ,
pasted, on a clean piece of paper ( not Org paper ) If there is a blank
page or nearly blank page in the writers magizine, use it, crossing out
in ballpoint anything written on the page. Paste or glue the letters so
that they say the following:
"All of you are distroying Isreal.
You're just like them. My sister lived you basterds. I was there - I saw
the wonderful people. Nobody can touch me. I'm going to kill you
basterds I am going to bomb you. Kissingger is a traitor.I'll bomb him
to. It makes me very sick. I must meditate. You are spying on me even in
Isreal. Your day will come soon. I'll expose you " and bomb you."
Page 4 of 6
OPERATING TARGETS cont.
3) cont. Arab NY Go to\library and
type out the na me of the Consulate and address of the\Nation that is
most anti Isreal (attacking it) . (No prints) Use "Capitols" on the
envelope.
4) Place "letter" into the
envelope,seal, and mail from the mail box nearest PC's place.
INSURE SECURIETY / NO PRINTS on
any letters, envelope, or paper, or stamp.
INSURE no paper from AG Office or
Org is used.
Entire action should be done out
of the Org.
NEED TO KNOW strongly inforced.
PR, Communicater Legal should not know. Max should do this entire
action.
If in doubt about "did my prints
get on anything" throw everything away and start fresh.
CHANNEL 3:
1) FSM in VT # 3 telephones and
makes a definate appointment with PC. Sometime when the laundry ( in VT
# 12 ) is open. The place should be a restruent or bar/ one of the
purposes of this action is also to get PC drunk. _____________ AG
I NY
2) FSM above xxxxx meets with PC.
_____________ AG I NY
3) Steakout FSM ( see VT #8 )
communicates with Case Officer and PC Double FSM ( see VT # 1 ) and
alert the former what PC has on, how her hair is arranged, does she have
her usual coat on etc. _____________ AG I NY
4) "PC FSM" changes to the closest
clothes they have, matching PCs. If PC has on Blue Jeans/ change to Blue
jeans. If PC has on her usual coat put that on.( see VT # 3 and 4 ) What
ever PC usually wears ( a favorite sweater etc) a yellow dress, blue,
green etc. sneakers, a yellow scarf etc should be had by PC FSM ready to
change into. In other words several different out-fits should have been
obtained by PC FSM, so that when the caper goes down, she can
immediately change into the color or type of outfit that PC has on.
From the observation of the
steakout FSM --- to the change of
Page 5 of 6
PC FSM's clothes, only 3 minutes
should have gone by. If PC let us say has her hair up, FSM puts her
"hair up" very fast it doesn't have to be a good job/ just so it's "up".
____________ AG I NY
5) PC FSM goes immediately into
the laundry and does the following caper. (wearing sunglasses) This is
done immediately, so that PC could have done it on her way to meet the
FSM or FSMs for drinks. /cleaners ( Patter/ PC FSM goes into laundry/.
Acts very confused. Says "I'm P.C. Do I have any clothes here? Clerk
says no FSM demands clerk checks. Clerk comes back. Says no again. FSM
screams You're crazy, my name if PC, check again! When clerk says no or
whatever he does, FSM goes PTS 3/ You're one of them! I'll kill you.
You're a dirty Arab. You fucking basterds. I'll bomb you. I'll bomb the
Arabs. I'll bomb the President. I'll kill that traitor Kissingner.
You're all against me."
If an Item of PC's clothing was
obtained at TM. FSM leaves this on the counter or drops it on the floor.
__________ FSM
6) PC FSM leaves laundry
immediately, turns the corner and gets into "pick up" car. Takes off "PC's
coat" Wig or whatever.Cha nges her looks fast. _________ FSM /cleaner
7) Mean while,immediately after
PC FSM leaves. laundry/, observation FSM ( see VT # 2 ) asks laundry
clerk if they do Suade cleaning a nd also says, Boy was she crazy! real
casually says I think you should call the police with all these nuts
threatening to kill the president. FSM leaves. FSM should be disguized
and not work on staff. _________ FSM
8) FSM calls from a phone about
5 blocks away, the FBI and says that she/he doesn't want to get involved
and doesn't want to give her/his name but some nut girl in (the name of
laundry) just went crazy and threatened to bomb the place and kill the
president. With all these nuts running around thought you should know.
The guy in the laundry heard her too." HANGS UP. and leaves immediately
and gets out of there. This call/ the FSM's voice should be disguized.
All these type calls are taperecorded.(FSM should not be told this;just
to disguize her voice. ___________ FSM
Page 6 of 6
PRODUCTION TARGETS:
CHANNEL 1: Should be done within 2
days of receiving this project.
CHANNEL 2: Should be done the day
after the above channel is done.
CHANNEL 3: Should be done within 1
week after the above channel is done. ( and when other FSMs can get an
appointment with PC)
CHANNEL 5 10 days after channel 3
is done. (Conditional
Love,
Puck
Op Freakout Document, Addendum A
Channels 4 & 5
CHANNEL 4:
1) Do not tell "Pin Ball"FSM or TM
FSM about this OP, but alert them to immediately report any thing PC
tells them. Have them try to speed up their relationship with PC. for
feed back purposes. Get feedback on this op. (cle verly) for use in
other actions. __________ AG I NY
CHANNEL 5:
1) Wait 10 days after the
completion of CHANNEL 3. If nothing has accured from feedback, on PC.
Then have the following action done:
FSM Female disguized voice, calls
the Arab Consulate and asks for the Press "attache". Talk through a
piece of thin paper covering the mouth of the phone. This will be
taperecorded but don't tell FSM on this. FSM says crying to Attache:
I just want to tell you there is
someone a writer by the name of PC, who recently came back from Isreal.
She works for Isreal Intelligence. She's also insane. She was in a
Concentration Camp in Natz Germany. She's been seeing Psychiatrist for
years. Her sister is also with Isreal Intelligence and lives in Isreal.
She talks when she high on drugs or drunk. Lately she's been talking
about bombing your embassy. I hate the damn Jew.
FSM hangs up and leaves fast.
Op Freakout Document, Addendum B
Op Freakout 2:
No prints!!!!
Additional channel on Op Freakout. ( Lovely )
1) When TM or Pin Ball FSM
meets with Lovely, they get drunk! Another FSM male, has a funny typed
out joke. One of these full page sexy jokes. It has a plain white cover
on it - a plain typewriter sheet. FSM has 2 copies of this. He shows one
copy all around the bar, obviously so that lovely and DSM can see him
doing it. The drunkenly comes over to FSM's table and wips out "joke" to
show FSM. Both FSM and "drunk" are careful not to touch plain sheet. The
2 sheets are folded as if to be mailed. When drunk picks up joke again,
he whips it up by its corner and puts it in his long open wallet or puts
it in his hat that he should be wearing for that purpose. If the hat is
used, "drunk" goes into the bathroom and carefully puts " joke " into
his wallet. Drunk is always acting the fool. Drunk leaves.
____________ FSMs
2) Drunk takes sheet with Lovely's
prints to AG I being sure to get no prints on it. _______________ Drunk
FSM
3) Write the following letter
on a library typewriter and address the envelope to Kissinger in Wash.
DC on the same typewriter. (absolutely no PRINTS.)
You are a traitor to your
peopleYOU BASTERD. I've been there and seen what you have done. You're
ONE OF them. I'M GOINg To KILL you I'M going to BOMb YOU. I have
connection,NObody Ca n touch Me. You arre a German Pig. You Should be in
THe Concentration CAMPs. I Feel So Ill Because OF YOu And YOu GodDam
PIGs. YoU Die SOOn. It IS a Phalic SYMbol. I Think TrAnsFeranCe. EPidus
The BOMB Is S ET TO gO. MY Sister ISRE A L. ThEy Are Responsible . They
Persecute Me . I W iLL Kill THem AND YOU. YOU are All Aga inst ME.
The above letter should be typed
onto the blank sheet obtained in #1. ___________ AG I NY
4) Mail the above, from the Mail
Box nearest Lovey's place. ___________ AG I NY
5) If the above 1 and 2 don't work
out for any reason. Do the same action at T.M. with Lovely and T.M. FSM.
___________ AG I NY
Op Freakout, Document CSW-1
5 APRIL 1976
NAT BID
NAT SEC
DG I
OPS NAT
CS-W
RE: PC Operation
Dear Dick,
SITUATION: PC hasn't been handled.
DATA: Pc is attacking Base and
probably coordinating MC Oleans attacking actions.
PC has been arrested before for
Bomb threats against the C of S.
We reinforce this background and
get her committed.
SOLUTION: Impliment this Operation
Freakout.
Channel 3, Target 5: Seems
like it would be good to have FSM first give "her name" (P.C) to the
clerk so he'll write it down on an invoice with her address -- so
there's no misduplication by the laundry clerk. She can do this in
a crazy manner so that she doesn't have to actually give the clerk any
clothes to clean which could be traced.
Then she can go into her routine
about asking for her "already cleaned" clothes.
GW
This is OK_______
Approved_________
Disapproved_________ a
Love,
Randy
Op Freakout, Document CSW-2
handwritten
Dear Greg,
I've added 2 more channels on the
P.C. op - for feedback and insurance! (channels 4 & 5)
It's a simple addition, but
needed. You and Dick have already oked this op. I've given these
additions to NE too!
This is OK.
Love,
Randy
Attached is copy of entire op for
easily's sake.
Op Freakout, Document CSW-3
13 APRIL 1976
BID NAT
NAT SEC
DG I
OPS BAT
CS-W
RE: P.C Op Freakout
Dear Dick,
SITUATION: Copper is still not
terminately handled.
DATA: Cooper is getting her power
back, attacking again.
Attached is approved Op
Freakout. This additional channel. Should really have her put away.
Worked with all the other Channels.
The FBI already think she
really did do the bomb threats on the C of S.
SOLUTION: OK this additional
Channel.
This is OK_R__
yours
Approved_DW__ Seperate op + triple insurance that NO prints/are on
letter.
Disapproved______
Love,
Randy
*****************************************
These planning documents for
"Operation Freakout" were captured by the FBI when they raided several
Scientology offices in 1977, after the infiltration of the Justice
Department during "Snow White" was discovered.
Copies were entered into evidence
during the Clearwater Hearings, marked as "Exhibit 49" on 8 May 1982,
prior to the testimony of Paulette Cooper.
Photocopies of Exhibit 49, which
were scanned to produce these files, were obtained in September 1996
from the City Clerk's office of Clearwater (address below). The
photocopies are U.S. legal-sized, 8.5x14 inches; but it is obvious that
the original "Op Freakout" documents were typewritten on U.S.
letter-sized, 8.5x11 inch sheets.
The pages are numbered by hand in
the lower right corner. The first document is numbered "6-A PC", "6-B
PC", ..., "6-F PC"; the second, "7-A PC" and "7-B PC". I believe, though
I am not certain, that these markings were written by Paulette Cooper
when the documents were entered as evidence, either at the Clearwater
Hearings or at an earlier court case.
The copies were folded in quarters
for mailing, which inflicted minor damage to the text along the
horizontal creases of a few pages:
15 December -
Cooper moves to new apartment at 300 E. 42nd St. FBI questions Cooper
about bomb threats.
"Inside
Scientology" by Robert Kaufman published by Olympia Press, London.
(Robert Kaufman: Inside Scientology)
1973
4 February -
Cooper's neighbors receive letter smearing Cooper.
9 May - Cooper
indicted for bomb threats and perjury by federal grand jury.
19 May - Cooper
arrested and arraigned.
October - Dr.
David Codden administers sodium pentathol to Cooper and questions her
regarding bomb threats. No written report is issued, according to
Cooper. (The Awful Truth About
Scientology. The Realist 97-B.)
October - U.S.
Attorney agrees that if Cooper undergoes continuous psychiatric
treatment for one year, government would file a Nolle Prosequi after the
completion of therapy.
1974
February - Cooper
begins work as stringer for the National Enquirer, which remains her
major source of income through at least 1982.
3-7 March - Series
of articles on Church of Scientology published in St. Louis Post-
Dispatch. Eric, Nancy, and John McLean of Toronto, ex-Scientologists,
interviewed for the series by reporter Elaine Viets.
May - Church of
Scientology of California sues James E. Adams, Elaine Viets, Eric,
Nancy, and John McLean, and Pulitzer Publishing Co. for defamation in
California Superior Court.
9 May - Church of
Scientology of California and U.S. Churches of Scientology dismissed
from Cooper vs. Church of Scientology of New York, Index No. 6732/72.
1975
Cooper sued in
Great Britain - Church of Scientology and Paulette Cooper (Spinster),
High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, No. 1975-C-No. 8345.
Church of
Scientology of Detroit, Michigan, vs. Paulette Cooper and John Does and
Mary Rowes, persons to be ascertained, U.S. District Court, Eastern
District of Michigan, Southern Division, No. 75-70203.
February -
March - Theft of Cooper's file from psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Cath's
office in Belmont, MA.
25 March - Claims
against the McLains in the Church of Scientology defamation lawsuit
against St. Louis Post-Dispatch dismissed.
16 September -
U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York files a Nolle Prosequi
which disposed of the indictment pending against Cooper.
Nolle Prosequi
with a comment by Maureen Garde
The Nolle Prosequi, filed on 16
September 1975, states:
3. In October, 1973 the government
agreed that if PAULETTE MARCIA COOPER would undergo continuous medical
treatment for a year, the government would file a Nolle Prosequi after
completion of the year.
4. The government has been
notified that PAULETTE MARCIA COOPER has been receiving regular medical
treatment for the year agreed upon.
5. Under the circumstances, the
government does not believe that further prosecution of PAULETTE MARCIA
COOPER is necessary or in the public interest.
The full Nolle Prosequi is not
available. The three paragraphs above appear as footnote 2 in Justice
Eugene R. Wolin's Summary Judgment of Paulette Cooper v. Church of
Scientology of New York, Inc., et al., Index Number 6732/72, Supreme
Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated 2 June 1982.
The nol pros agreement with a
condition like this is completely consistent with a government belief
that Paulette was guilty of the bomb threats. It is consistent with a
belief that while she did send the threats, she did not have the means
to carry them out, and was unlikely to try to obtain the means to carry
them out. It is consistent with a belief that she made the threats as a
result of a mental problem not rising to the standard for a not guilty
by reason of insanity under federal law. It is consistent with a belief
that a year of therapy during which she made no further bomb threats
would be sufficient demonstration that she was unlikely ever to do it
again.
The U.S. Attorney's Office, and
other prosecutorial agencies, often enter into agreements that require
therapy or treatment of some kind as a condition of the agreement. They
do it in cases where they enter into deals with people whom they believe
are guilty of a crime. They do not do it in cases where, even though
they believe the defendant to be innocent, they think that a year of
psychotherapy might be good for the person's head.
In addition, the idea that the
government would routinely accept the results of a privately-conducted
test involving sodium pentathol, as indicative of innocence, is not
credible. If the government regarded such tests as reliable indicators
of guilt or innocence, we'd be hearing a lot more about accused people
who protest their innocence submitting to them. In my knowledge and
experience (albeit limited), when psychiatric tests are done, the
government doesn't rely on those done privately, they require the
accused to submit to their psychiatrist; sometimes the court requires a
court-appointed shrink as well.
In conclusion, the Nolle Prosequi
ended the prosecution by the U.S. Attorney Office. It did not clear
Paulette Cooper from the purported bomb threats. Only later, during the
FBI raids on Scientology, Paulette Cooper's innocence was shown. It may
even be possible - and appears likely - that the record of the criminal
disposition was never expunged. Monica Pignotti reported that Paulette
Cooper was not willing to pay the necessary legal fees.
Harassment Diary, by
Paulette Cooper, 1982
1976-1980
1976
"The Road to Total
Freedom" by Roy Wallis published by Heinemann, London.
(Roy Wallis: The Road to Total Freedom)
29-31 January -
Cooper deposed in Toronto lawsuit.
11 June -
Michael Meisner and Gerald Wolfe caught by FBI in DC courthouse.
12 June - Hubbard
flees DC for hideout in California.
Cooper sued in
Australia - Between: The Church of the New Faith, Inc. and Miss Paulette
Cooper and Tower Publications, Inc., No. 4297 of 1976.
October - Hubbards
moved to ranch near La Quinta, CA.
15 November -
Quentin Hubbard commits suicide in Las Vegas, NV.
5 December -
Church settlement with Cooper. Cooper agreed not to republish or comment
on book. Cooper signed statement that 52 passages were "erroneous or at
best misleading" and assigned copyright of "Scandal of Scientology" to
Church of Scientology of California, Inc. Church paid Cooper's legal
fees.
1977
20 June -
Michael Meisner surrenders to FBI.
8 July - FBI
raids Church of Scientology offices in LA, DC. Seizes 48,149 documents
from church premises.
15 July -
Hubbard flees La Quinta, spends remainder of year hiding out in Sparks,
CA, with Diane Riesdorf, Claire Rousseau and Pat Broeker.
12 October -
FBI agent Russell Cicero informs Cooper of evidence to support her
claims of Church harassment in seized Church documents.
1978
2 January -
Hubbard returns to La Quinta; Mary Sue Hubbard moves to LA.
29 April -
Washington Post article says Cooper's $15.4 million lawsuit against
Church still pending. Gives Cooper's attorneys as Paul D. Rheingold of
New York and Virgil Roberts of Los Angeles. Claims an "investigation" of
matter by FBI offices in New York City under way.
25 May - Church
of Scientology of California vs. Paulette Cooper, Breach of Contract,
Specific Performance, U.S. District Court, Central District of
California, Case No. 78-2053. Cooper's attorney John P. McNicholas files
$10 million counterclaim.
June - Church
of Scientology of New York vs. Paulette Cooper, Supreme Court of New
York, Breach of Contract; No. CV 79 -2053(RMT), Southern District of New
York. Counterclaim filed by Paulette Cooper.
19 June -
"Snapping" by Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman published by Lippincott.
9 August -
Cooper files $20 million damage suit against Church of Scientology of
New York, in New York Supreme Court, County of New York, Index No.
16000/78.
14 August - Cooper
interview published in People Magazine article on Church of Scientology
15 August -
Mary Sue Hubbard and 8 others indicted by federal grand jury on theft,
burglary, conspiracy and related charges.
21 August - Cooper
lawsuit reported in Publishers Weekly.
7 December -
Cooper deposed in New York cases.
1979
Church of
Scientology of California v. Siegelman, 481 F.Supp. 866 (S.D.N.Y. 1979)
22 January -
Article about Cooper lawsuits appears in New York Times.
6 February -
Cooper deposed in California case (CV-78-2053).
March - Hubbard
flees to apartment in Hemet, CA, with Kima and Mike Douglas.
July - Flynn
takes on LaVenda Van Schaick as a client.
8 October -
Mary Sue Hubbard et al. agree to plead guilty to one count each in
return for stipulation rather than trial.
19 October -
Flynn airplane incident.
26 October - Mary
Sue Hubbard et al. convicted in Federal Court, D.C. by District Court
Judge Charles E. Richey.
9 November - U.S.
District Court, D.C. District, makes some of documents seized in FBI
raids available to the general public.
November -
Cooper speaks at anti-Scientology rally in Clearwater, FL, organized by
city councilman Richard Tenney. Cooper and Michael Flynn first meet.
14 December -
Flynn files Van Schaick lawsuit Civ. No. 79-2491G (Federal District of
Mass.)
1980
3 January - CoS
Nevada v. Thomas Hoffman et al., Civ. #LV-80-10-HEC (Federal District of
Nevada); defendants: Lavenda Van Schaick, Kevin Flynn, Hoffman (Flynn's
associate), Edward Walters (Flynn's client).
15 January -
CoS files Bar complaint against Flynn.
21 January -
Supreme Court refuses to hear Church of Scientology appeal to recover
documents seized in 1977 FBI raid. (Toronto Globe and Mail, Jan 25,
1980)
Files show spy reported woman's
intimate words
by John Marshall
Toronto Globe and Mail, January 25, 1980
Freelance writer Paulette Cooper
is a finely honed, long-haired accumulation of nervous energy. She was
dressed with a New York flair that seemed out of context in the small
windowless room in the grey dignity of the U.S. District Court building
in Washington.
She sat beside me at a long table
covered with cartons packed with some of the 33,000 documents
seized from Church of Scientology files in 1977 by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
"If you see anything about
Operation Freakout, please let me know," she said. More than once.
Intensely.
Her obsession could be excused.
She had been living with it since
the publication in 1971 of her book, The Scandal of Scientology,
subtitled "A chilling examination of the nature, beliefs and practices
of the 'now religion.'"
And from hearings in which the
documents helped implicate U.S. cult leaders in criminal conspiracies,
she had learned Operation Freakout was the code name for one of the
Scientologists' obsessions -- her.
Around the table and squatting on
the floor in the cramped stuffy room that day were nine other
journalists, all from U.S. newspapers. A copying machine was rarely out
of use.
Two young Scientologists from the
cult publication Freedom were also examining the documents, which told a
bizarre story of spying, theft and electronic bugging by the cult, and
of blackmail, poison-pen letters, scandal-mongering and other kinds of
harassment to silence critics.
A U.S. marshal posted in an
anteroom kept looking through the door, and he checked all papers any of
us took from the room.
Miss Cooper thought she was ready
for anything she would find.
There were many documents about
her. She could even joke about some. There was one giving the purpose of
Operation Freakout -- "to get P.C. incarcerated in a mental institution
or jail, or at least to hit her so hard that she drops her attacks."
She'd had years to get ready for
this day -- and the many more days she worked with the Scientologists'
most secret files.
They had been nightmare years of
borrowing money to defend herself against 14 lawsuits filed against her
by the litigious cult, and to file countersuits.
She told of finding evidence that
her telephone was tapped. She received anonymous threats that she would
be killed. Neighbors received disgusting hate letters about her, such as
one saying: "Her tongue is noticeably swollen from an attack of venereal
disease."
There were times when she
considered suicide.
She lost the love of a male friend
of six years, who said she had changed under the stress and was no
longer fun to be with. His employers had received smear letters about
him.
Other friends of Miss Cooper also
were harassed. Some received phone calls saying they could be involved
in legal action because of her.
And then came the topper. In May,
1973, she was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of making bomb
threats against the Church of Scientology and of committing perjury by
denying the accusations. There were threatening letters on her
stationery and with her fingerprints on them.
Even her own lawyer urged her to
confess. She refused. She passed a lie-detector test. She and a cousin
told about the visit of a woman soliciting donations for a union fund,
during which the woman never took off her gloves. A box of Miss Cooper's
stationery was in the room. The bomb threat was reported the next day.
The charges were finally dropped;
but she did not feel her name was cleared, she said, until the fall of
1977. That was when she learned from an FBI contact that evidence found
in the July, 1977, raids on the Scientology offices showed it had all
been a frameup.
I found one of the references to
it in the files released by the Washington court that convicted nine
U.S. Scientologists on charges related to theft of government documents
and obstructing justice.
In one file was a letter dated
June, 1974, from Dick Weigand to Henning Heldt, two of the leaders
sentenced last month to four years in prison. Included in a review of an
operative's past activities for the cult was the observation: "Conspired
to entrap Mrs. Lovely (code name for Miss Cooper) into being arrested
for a felony which she did not commit. She was arraigned for the crime."
The Mrs. Lovely name came up again
and again. This time it was found by Miss Cooper as she sat beside me.
"Oh, this is it," I heard her sigh.
She had in front of her pages of
detailed reports from another cult operative. She had expected they
might exist, but she hadn't been sure. He had, for a short while, been
very close to her, and pretended to be in love with her.
She began to read them, but found
that she could not brave the attempt there. Grim-faced, she duplicated
them.
"I need to read these with friends
beside me," she said. She did that evening at dinner with myself and Nan
McLean, a close friend from Sutton, Ont., who's a former Scientologist.
In a log entry for a few days
after her indictment for the bomb threat, the agent wrote: "We have Mrs.
Lovely in a very perplexing position."
She read it aloud to us. But it
was tough going. Much of it she read in silence.
In the words of the man to whom
she had confided her most intimate memories, to whom she had given full
trust, she read a description to his church leaders of how she had told
him about her first youthful sexual awakening.
Another page referred to a time
when, depressed about her problems, she had spoken one dark night about
suicide.
The secret agent told his
superiors that on the outside he was sympathetic but inside he was
laughing: "Wouldn't this be a great thing for Scientology?"
6 February -
Jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo files $21 million lawsuit against Church of
Scientology for embezzlement and kidnapping in Los Angeles.
7 February - CoS
files Bar complaint against Flynn.
13 February -
Cooper signs independent contractor agreement with private investigator
Richard Bast at $2,000/month plus expenses. Bast, in employ of Founding
Church of Scientology, masquerades as investigator for wealthy European
industrialist seeking information against the cult.
End of February -
Hubbard flees to ranch near Creston, CA, with Pat and Annie Broeker.
March - CoS Boston
v. Michael Flynn et al., Civ. #40906 (Suffolk Superior Court, Mass.).
Flynn plus four clients for theft of documents from Boston Church.
27 March - Federal
grand jury in Tampa investigating CoS plan to take over Clearwater.
3 April - CoS
files Bar complaint against Flynn.
10 April - Three
Bar complaints against Flynn dismissed by Mass. Board of Bar Overseers.
14 April - Sylvana
Garritano gives interview with Riverside, CA, newspaper. She is
co-plaintiff in Lavenda Van Schaick RICO lawsuit against Church of
Scientology. Ms. Garritano tells newspaper that L. Ron Hubbard runs
Church of Scientology from Gilman Hot Springs near Hemet, CA.
18 April - Fifth
Circuit Court of Appeals (New Orleans) orders CoS to pay lawyers fees
and double costs for frivolous appeal of slander suit filed against John
and Nancy McLean.
25 April - Tonja
Burden v. CoS California, Civ. #80-401 Civ. Tk (Federal Middle District
of Florida). Michael Flynn is Burden's attorney; suing for $3 million.
May - CoS Nevada v. Hoffman dismissed in Federal District Court of
Nevada.
May - CoS Nevada
v. Kevin Flynn and LaVenda Van Schaick, Civil No. 196880, Nevada Circuit
Court.
May - Mary Sue
Hubbard ousted as Controller of Church of Scientology by David Miscavige.
Scientology: Anatomy of a
Frightening Cult, Reader's Digest
15 June - Cooper's
friend John Seffern learns that Richard Bast is working for Church of
Scientology.
28 June - Church
of Scientology lawyers file motion for U.S. District Court Judge Charles
R. Richey to remove himself from criminal trial of Jane Kember and
Morrison Budlong, scheduled to begin July 7. They present tapes from
private investigator Richard Bast as evidence of judge's bias.
25 July - Appeals
Court seals 23,000 Operation Snow White documents, remands case back to
District Court Judge Richey.
29 July - Church
of Scientology files $2 million lawsuit against Ted Patrick in Multnomah
County Circuit Court, Oregon.
3 August -
Elizabeth Eagleton Wiegand and her attorney Stephen E. Poludniak
arrested and charged with extortion and conspiracy in St. Louis.
5 August - Ted
Patrick acquitted by jury of kidnapping Paula Dain, a Scientologist. The
jury was unable to reach a decision on false imprisonment charges and a
mistrial was declared.
???27 August -
Southern District of NY libel case judge refuses to find summary
judgment in CoS suit against critics.
27 August - Ted
Patrick convicted of kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap and false
imprisonment of Roberta McElfish in San Diego, CA. Sentenced to one year
in prison.
September - CoS
Nevada v. Michael Flynn, Civ. #202573 (Nevada Circuit Court), claiming
conspiracy and abuse of judicial process.
19 October -
Washington Post reports that Michael Hershman leaves government deputy
auditor general position to join "legendary private eye" Dick Bast at
International Investigations.
21 October -
Lawrence Stifler v. CoS Boston et al., Civ. #44706 (Suffolk Superior
Court, Mass.), filed by Flynn; $1.25 million damages sought. Stifler is
a psychologist and marathon runner who claims cult recruiter damaged his
knee in a scuffle.
November - CoS
Nevada v. Michael Flynn dismissed by Nevada Circuit Court.
10 November - CoSC
v. IRS trial begins.
19 November - CoS
files Bar complaint against Flynn in Mass.
26 November -
Jane Kember and Morris Budlong found guilty in Operation Snow White.
? - Marjorie J.
Hansen v. CoS Boston et al., Civ. #41074 (Suffolk Superior Court,
Mass.), filed by Flynn.
Scientology's War Against Judges,
The American Lawyer, December 1980
1981-1986
1981
January - Flynn in
Los Angeles for settlement talks, which fail.
22 January - John
Seffern deposed in Church of Scientology of California, Inc. v. Paulette
Cooper, Southern District of New York, CV-79-2053 (RMT). Seffern refused
to answer certain questions, claiming attorney/client privilege.
23 January -
Church of Scientology appeals $2 million damage award to Julie
Christoffersen to Oregon State appeals court in Salem, OR.
30 January - Gabor
Szabo and Church of Scientology reach out-of-court settlement over
lawsuit and counterclaim.
9 March - Flynn
files Paulette Cooper v. Church of Scientology of California, Inc., Civ.
#81-681-Mc (Federal District of Mass.) seeking $25 million in damages.
9 March - Fifth
Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upholds ruling by District Judge
Ben Krentzman that a civil rights lawsuit filed by Church of Scientology
against Mayor Gabriel Cazares is "groundless and frivolous."
8 April - First
Amended Complaint filed, Cooper vs. Church of Scientology Boston, Inc.,
et al., CV #81,681-Mc.
April - June - Flynn
hired by City of Clearwater to prepare report regarding Scientology.
May - Flynn holds
meeting with 8 lawyers regarding Scientology litigation.
June - settlement
talks with Flynn initiated by Jay Roth for Church.
10 June - Church
of Scientology of California motion to compel John Seffern to answer
certain questions he refused to answer at deposition on 22 January 1981
is granted. Church of Scientology of California, et al. v. Paulette
Cooper, No. CV-79-2053(RMT).
17 June -
Mitchell Hermann jailed by federal district judge Ben Krentzman in Tampa
for contempt of court for refusing to testify before a grand jury
investigating attempts to undermine political career of former
Clearwater mayor Gabriel Cazares.
July - meeting of
CoS lawyers in Atlanta
August - CoS
lawyer Silverglate files Bar complaint against Flynn (total of 4 filed
in 1981).
August - Garrison
v. Flynn et al., Civ. #81-2609T (Federal District of Mass.); defendants
included Kevin Flynn, Paulette Cooper. Ellen and Chris Garrison
deprogramming lawsuit.
20 August - Steven
Miller v. Michael Flynn et al., Civ. #81-4275 (Federal Central District
of California); defendants included Kevin Flynn, Joseph Flannigan, Lev
Fedyniac, Pat Osler, Dr. John G. Clark, Jr., Edward Walters, Jack
Chancellor, Paulette Cooper, and Bruce Hoenig. Another deprogramming
lawsuit.
1 September -
Eugene Methvin, editor of Reader's Digest and author of articles
critical of Scientology, asks judge to quash subpoena compelling his
testimony in Church of Scientology's 3-year-old lawsuit against Paulette
Cooper.
Scientology: The Sickness
Spreads. Readers Digest
13 September -
Church of Scientology executive director international Bill Franks
announces that Guardian Jane Kember replaced and Guardian's Office
reorganized. States that Mary Sue Hubbard resigned office "about a year
ago" and that L. Ron Hubbard has served Church only as a consultant
since 1966.
3 October - U.S.
Court of Appeals for District of Columbia upholds constitutionality of
1977 FBI searches and seizures in Church of Scientology offices.
December 1981 -
Gerald Armstrong leaves Church of Scientology, taking with him about 2
percent of the accumulated biographical documents he collected as L. Ron
Hubbard's archivist.
28 December -
Judge Clinton Olsen dismisses Church of Scientology lawsuit against Ted
Patrick and three others for lack of cause of action in Multonomah
County, OR.
Cazares v. Church
of Scientology, Civil No. 81-3472-CA-01, Volusia County Circuit Court,
(FL, 1981).
Church of
Scientology of California, Inc. v. Michael Flynn, Thomas Hoffman, Thomas
Greene and Kevin Flynn, CV-81-3259-CBM; CV-81-
1982
15 January - Third
Amended Complaint filed in Paulette Cooper vs. Church of Scientology of
Boston, Inc., et al (CV-81-681-Mc), by Flynn's partner Thomas Hoffman.
27 January -
Memorandum and Order by Judge McNaught in Paulette Cooper v. Church of
Scientology of Boston, et al., Civ. 81-681-Mc (District of
Massachusetts, 1982). Motion granting substitute service on L. Ron
Hubbard affirmed. Motion by plaintiff for real estate attachment denied
without prejudice to renewal at a later time.
24 March -
Paula Dain files $30 million lawsuit in Los Angeles against deprogrammer
Ted Patrick and nine other people, including Paulette Cooper and Nan
McLain, for violation of her civil rights during Patrick's deprogramming
attempt of her in 1979. Dain is represented by Scientology lawyer Donald
Randolph.
About April -
Cooper's main counsel becomes law firm of Hollingsworth & Pappas.
Primarily represented by Wayne Hollingsworth and David Banash.
5 May - Clearwater
Scientology hearings. Scientology Victims Defense Fund rally held
after hearings close.
Paulette Cooper's testimony before the City of Clearwater commission
8-11 June - First
Cooper deposition in Paulette Cooper vs. Church of Scientology of
Boston, et al. (CV-81-681-Mc).
1 July - Cooper's
Fourth Amended Complaint filed in Paulette Cooper vs. Church of
Scientology of Boston, et al (CV-81-681-Mc), submitted by David Banash
of Hollingsworth & Pappas law firm.
9 August:
Judgement entered in Cooper v. Church of Scientology of New York, et
al.: Supreme Court of State of New York, County New York (index
6732/72): Summary judgement against Cooper (statute of limitations),
complaint dismissed, no costs.
13 August: Notice
of appeal filed by Cooper in Cooper v. Church of Scientology of New
York, et al. Supreme Court of State of New York, County New York (index
6732/72)
23-24 September -
Second Cooper deposition in Boston.
Sept. 24 -
California Superior Court Judge John Cole issues order that 21 boxes of
L. Ron Hubbard's personal documents held by Gerry Armstrong will be
placed under the control of the county clerk.
19 November -
Memorandum and Order issued by Judge John J. McNaught in Cooper v.
Church of Scientology of Boston, et al., CV-81-681-Mc. Motion by
plaintiff to amend complaint a fourth time allowed. Motion to dismiss
Church of Scientology of California from lawsuit allowed. Motion to
dismiss Church of Scientology of Boston denied.
Summary judgment
issued in Paulette Cooper vs. Church of Scientology of New York, Index
No. 6732/72. Case dismissed because relevant statutes of limitation had
been exceeded. Costs not assigned.
Flag Service
Organization, Inc. v. Michael Flynn and the City of Clearwater, Civil
No. 82-440- CIV-T-WC (Tampa, FL, 1982).
1983
7 January -
Mary Sue Hubbard sentenced to serve four years in Federal Correctional
Institute, Lexington, KY, and fined $10,000. Sentencing was delayed
after 1979 conviction pending an exhaustive study of her medical
condition.
24 January -
People magazine publishes article on Church of Scientology. Flynn claims
he has filed charges against the church and its officers for 32 clients
in 22 cases across the country.
31 January - Time
magazine publishes article on Church of Scientology.
Richard Behar: The Cult of
Greed and Power. Time Magazine.
February - Enid
Vien, director of the Church of Scientology's Flint, Michigan, mission,
resigns from Church and sends a scathing letter to Church officials in
Los Angeles. In her letter, she said, ''I can no longer support a church
that bleeds its parishioners, abuses its staff, uses fear tactics to
ensure everyone at least pretends to agree and engages upon coercive
tactics to sew its missions up.'' Despite the criticism, Ms. Vien said
she still believes in Scientology technology and in Scientology as
applied religious philosophy.
14 February - L.
Ron Hubbard sends a handwritten letter to California Superior Court
Judge J. David Hennigan. Letter states: "I am alive and well and working
at my own trade (as a writer)." He rejected as "false and ill-informed"
claims that his estate is being mismanaged. Letter was dated 3 February.
14 February -
Church of Scientology of California, Inc. v. Michael Flynn, Thomas
Hoffman, Thomas Greene and Kevin Flynn, No. CV-83-896-CBM (Central
District Calif., 1983). $42 million abuse of process lawsuit for damages
and permanent injunction charges Flynn and his co-attorneys with
attempting to extort a $1.6 million legal settlement from the Church.
20 February -
Rocky Mountain News publishes 7,000-word handwritten letter purported to
have been written by L. Ron Hubbard.
22 February -
Supreme Court refuses to review 1982 Oregon Court of Appeals decision to
overturn $2 million damage award to Julie Christoffersen Tichborne. (No.
82- 1025) Church of Scientology Mission of Davis v. Christofferson (Ore
CtApp, 57 OrApp 203, 644 P2d 277): (No. 82-1036) Christofferson v.
Church of Scientology Mission of Davis (Ore CtApp, 57 OrApp 203, 644 P2d
577)
3 March -
Ontario Provincial Police raid offices of Church of Scientology in
Toronto, seizing 250,000 documents in a 20-hour search.
20 April - Judge
John J. McNaught issues Memorandum and Order staying proceedings in
Paulette Cooper vs. Church of Scientology Boston, Inc., et al.
(CV-81-681-Mc) pending resolution of Cooper's counterclaim in Church of
Scientology of California vs. Cooper (CV-78-2053, U.S. District Court,
Central District of California). Judge McNaught cited "the near identity
of the allegations" made by Cooper in the two cases as his grounds for
concluding that the stay was warranted. A decision in the California
court, he said, "will narrow the issues before this court and assist in
their determination."
26 April -
Superior Court Judge Leon Savitch rules that 21 boxes of documents in
Gerry Armstrong case will not be returned to the Church of Scientology
but will remain in court custody pending the outcome of the trial.
20 May - Judge
Hennigan gives Ron DeWolf's lawyers three weeks to discredit declaration
by L. Ron Hubbard filed in court as proof that Hubbard was alive and
well.
31 May - Boston
Globe reports that Robert Dardano and Warren Friske filed affidavits in
court stating they were recruited by the Church of Scientology to
perform "dirty tricks" for the Church.
Boston Globe article
June - Nibs interview
appears in Penthouse.
12 June - St.
Petersburg Times publishes story that millions of dollars in Church of
Scientology funds were diverted to L. Ron Hubbard's personal use through
the Religious Research Foundation. Church officials deny charges.
13 June - Judge
Hennigan dismisses suit filed by Ronald DeWolf seeking to take over
management of his father's estate. The judge also rejected a motion that
Hubbard resolve the case by appearing in court, saying the man had a
constitutional right to his privacy.
30 June -
California Superior Court Judge J. David Hennigan releases written
decision that L. Ron Hubbard "is not a missing person."
11 July -
Michael Flynn found in contempt of court by California Superior Court
Judge J. David Hennigan for releasing documents sealed by the court to
Julia Dragojevic, Flynn's co-counsel in another case. Flynn ordered to
pay $250 fine.
14 July - Bent
Corydon and others file counterclaim for $42 millions against Church of
Scientology, Scientology Missions International, Guardian's Office,
Religious Technology Center, and Heber Jentzsch.
5 August -
Defamation lawsuit for statements made regarding plane incident.
15 August -
Church of Scientology files defamation lawsuit against Michael Flynn in
U.S. District Court in Boston for statements made suggesting that the
Church had infiltrated Volusia County, FL, court offices.
6 October - City
of Clearwater commissioners pass charitable solicitations ordinance
aimed at curbing money collections by Church of Scientology.
Flynn files
lawsuit against L. Ron Hubbard and Church of Scientology.
Scientologist
Paula Dain files $3 million civil rights lawsuit against Paulette Cooper
for attempting to keep Nan McLain from testifying during a grand jury
investigation of deprogrammer Ted Patrick on kidnapping charges.
1984
16 January - Libel
actions against Michael Flynn is dismissed in Church of Scientology of
California, Inc. v. Michael J. Flynn, CV No. 83-2386-MA District of
Massachusetts (578 F.Supp 266).
Late January -
Ms. Burden's attorney, Michael Flynn of Boston, and a former
high-ranking church member contended in sworn statements that the church
tried in 1982 to compromise U.S. District Judge Ben Krentzman, who was
then hearing the Burden case. According to the statements, private
investigators for the church wanted to lure Krenztman onto an 81-foot
yacht, then offer him prostitutes and drugs while secretly recording and
filming the events. The alleged plot was never carried out, Flynn said.
Krentzman said he was never aware of any such plan. In motions
filed January 31, church attorney Paul Johnson included affidavits from
private detectives Richard Bast and Robert Keefer, who both denied
attempts to "set up" the judge. In his affidavit, Bast said he
personally supervised an investigation "designed to establish contact
with local realty, banking and business interests ... for the purpose of
gaining information concerning any possible conspiracy against the
church ..." He said his investigators developed a cover story that they
represented "wealthy foreign investors interested in real estate in
Florida." "In preparing for the investigation, Judge Krentzman's name as
well as the names of other public figures, were mentioned. I was
specifically instructed with respect to Judge Krentzman that there was
to be no effort made to make contact with him, and that instruction was
followed."
28 March - U.S.
District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich ruled that the Clearwater
ordinance intended to regulate the fundraising activities of the Church
of Scientology and other religious organizations was unconstitutional.
7 April - The
Economist reviews L. Ron Hubbard's "Battlefield Earth," calling it "an
unsubtle saga, atrociously written, windy and out of control."
3 May - Trial of
former Church of Scientology archivist Gerald Armstrong begins in Los
Angeles. Armstrong is represented by Boston attorney Michael Flynn.
7 June - Judge
William Byrne dismisses charges against Nan McLean, Paulette Cooper and
LA attorney Richard Akemon in Paula Dain's lawsuit against deprogrammer
Ted Patrick, citing insufficient evidence to implicate them in a
conspiracy with Patrick.
11 June - Paula
Dain awarded $7,000 in compensatory damages by a federal court jury in
$30 million civil rights lawsuit against deprogrammer Ted Patrick. Jury
ruled that Patrick had violated Dain's civil rights and freedom of
religion, but determined that Patrick did not act "with evil intent" or
in "reckless and callous disregard for Miss Dain's safety."
21 June -
California Superior Court Judge John Breckenridge absolved Gerald
Armstrong of any liability in taking thousands of personal documents
belonging to Church of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and his wife.
The Church had sought unspecificed monetary damages and the return of
all documents which had been impounded by the court for two years. The
judge said that about 500 of the documents, previously under seal, would
become public records open to public inspection or use in other
lawsuits. Documents not used in the trial would remain under seal with
the court until Armstrong's $15 million countersuit against the Church
for alleged fraud and misrepresentation is heard. Armstrong said he took
the documents, which he had been using for a biography on Hubbard, in
order to protect himself against the Church. Church attorney John
Peterson said the decision would be appealed.
Breckenridge
decision
22 June - Michael
Flynn, when interviewed about Judge John Breckenridge's decision, called
it the "beginning of the end" for the Church of Scientology.
25 June -
California Court of Appeals issues a temporary stay order keeping L. Ron
Hubbard's personal papers under seal pending final determination by a
higher court. The papers were entered into evidence in the Church of
Scientology's lawsuit against Gerald Armstrong.
3 July - U.S.
District Court Judge W. Arthur Garrity threatens to dismiss Lavenda Van
Schaick's lawsuit if she does not submit to a psychiatric examination as
ordered by the court. He ordered her to pay reasonable expenses,
including attorney's fees, for her failure to cooperate during a
court-ordered psychiatric interview.
11 July - New
York Times publishes article in which they interview Gerald Armstrong,
Laurel Sullivan, Kima Douglas, Howard Schomer and Edward Walters. They
accused Hubbard of diverting millions of dollars of church money into
his own overseas accounts and stated that Hubbard still controls
operations of the church but has turned over daily operations to David
Miscavige and Pat and Annie Broeker.
19 July - Ronald
DeWolf pays $6,382.71 for court costs incurred during his unsuccessful
1982 suit to gain control of L. Ron Hubbard's estate.
20 July - Personal
papers of L. Ron Hubbard were placed under protective seal by the
California Supreme Court, pending its decision on whether it will hear
the church's appeal of a Superior Court judge's decision to release the
materials. The exhibits were evidence in Los Angeles Superior Court case
C420153, Church of Scientology of California v. Armstrong.
23 July - Judge
Sir John Latey condemned the Church of Scientology as "corrupt, sinister
and dangerous" in remarks he made at the end of a six-month custody
battle over two children. The children's father, a Scientologist, and
their mother, who left the cult, both sought custody of the children.
Judge Latey awarded care of the children to their mother.
Latey judgement
20 August - U.S.
District Court William H. Byrne ordered Ted Patrick of San Diego to be
permanently barred from attempting to deprogram Paula Dain.
21 August - The
U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta enjoined the city of
Clearwater from enforcing a controversial city ordinance governing
public solicitations.
3 September -
New York Times reports that Eugene Ingram has given Federal authorities
an affidavit signed by Ali Tamimi, who asserts that he once collaborated
with Flynn to pass a forged $2 million check written against an account
held by L. Ron Hubbard. Flynn calls the claim "an outrageous attempt to
frame me" and claims that Scientologists have been traveling around the
country giving press conferences about him. In a telephone interview
with Paulette Cooper, she states "and now they're trying to do the same
thing they did to me to Michael Flynn."
19 September -
Boston jury finds Scientologist Roger Sylvester liable for $1,000
medical costs for injury of Dr. Lawrence Stifler's knee in a scuffle.
Lawyer Michael Flynn had asked for damages of $3.25 million in the
lawsuit.
24 September -
U.S. Tax Court upholds the removal of tax-exempt status from the Church
of Scientology, ruling that it "made a business out of selling a
religion" and that church funds inured to the benefit of church
officials. Church ordered to pay $1.4 million in back taxes for the
years 1970 through 1972.
25 September - U.S. District Court Judge William Byrne Jr. refuses to
dismiss $2 million dollar lawsuit filed by Scientologist Paula Dain
against Paulette Cooper. Trial scheduled for February 5, 1985.
25 September -
U.S. District Court Judge William Byrne Jr. refused to dismiss a $3
millions civil rights lawsuit against Paulette Cooper, accused by a
Scientologist of intimidating witnesses in a criminal investigation of
cult deprogrammer Ted Patrick. Paula Dain filed the lawsuit in 1983,
claimed that Cooper had tried to threaten a potential witness in another
case in San Diego in 1979. Don Randolph, Dain's attorney, said Cooper
harassed Canadian exit counselor Nan McLain to keep her from testifying
during a grand jury investigation of Patrick on kidnapping charges.
Cooper allegedly told McLean her reputation within the deprogramming
community would be ruined if she spoke out, saying she would be cut off
from legal defense funds provided by n anti-Scientology group. The trial
is scheduled to begin February 5th.
3 October - Appeal
by Church of Scientology of California of dismissal of defamation
lawsuit against Michael Flynn. District court dismissed the suit with
prejudice. Appeals court reversed and remanded the decision. Church of
Scientology of California, Inc. v. Michael J. Flynn, No. 83-6494, U.S.
Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit (744 F.2d, 1984).
23 October -
Church of Scientology brings $20 million civil rights lawsuit against
lawyer Michael Flynn, his brother Kevin Flynn, his partner Thomas
Hoffman, and Laurel Sullivan.
23 October -
U.S. Tax Court upholds I.R.S. ruling that three Church of Scientology
members could not deduct payments to the church because they received
benefits in return. The Scientologists who filed the lawsuit were
Katherine Jean Graham, Richard M. Hermann and David Forbes Maynard.
23 October - Mary
Sue Hubbard files a $5 million lawsuit against her stepson Ronald DeWolf
and his attorney Michael Flynn, charging "massive fraud" in his 1982
effort to have his father declared legally dead or mentally incompetent.
27 November -
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rules that L. Ron Hubbard's personal
papers, entered as evidence in the Church of Scientology's lawsuit
against Gerry Armstrong, couple be opened for public inspection starting
20 December.
19 December -
Oregon Court of Appeals denies motions by two California affiliates of
the Church of Scientology to intervene as defendants in Martin Samuels'
$60 million lawsuit against L. Ron Hubbard. The decision by the court
upholds a ruling by Multnomah County Circuit Judge Charles Crookham.
19 December - U.S.
District Court Judge Harry Hupp refuses to block a state court from
releasing the personal papers of L. Ron Hubbard. Mary Sue Hubbard had
filed a complaint in district court, claiming a violation of her right
to privacy.
20 December -
Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist denies request from Church of
Scientology to prevent release of thousands of pages of L. Ron Hubbard's
personal papers.
20 December -
Judge Lawrence Waddington of California Superior Court granted a
temporary restraining order sealing L. Ron Hubbard's personal papers,
entered as evidence in the Church's 1982 lawsuit against Gerry
Armstrong's case, in response to an emergency lawsuit filed by the
Church of Scientology members who claimed their right to privacy would
be violated by making the papers public. The papers had been released
just hours before the order was granted to reseal them.
1985
16 February -
Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement signed by Church of Scientology
of Boston, Inc., Church of Scientology of California, and Church of
Scientology of New York, Inc., and Paulette Cooper. Michael Flynn signs
agreement as Paulette Cooper's legal counsel.
28 February -
Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice filed, Paulette Cooper vs.
Church of Scientology of Boston, et al. (CV-81-681-Mc).
4 March - Paulette
Cooper signs affidavit regarding Michael Flynn.
Affidavit of
Paulette Cooper
21 March - Church
of Scientology files Cooper affidavit in lawsuit against Flynn in Los
Angeles.
10 June - Lavenda
Van Schaick settles lawsuit for $150,000, Civ. No. 79-2491G (Federal
District of Mass.)
1986
16 December -
Church settles outstanding lawsuits. Settlement reported to exceed $5
million and to involve at least 15 different lawsuits.
31 December -
Attorney Lawrence Levy files $1 billion class-action lawsuit against
Church of Scientology, alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary trust. Six
former members, including Mary Maren, named in lawsuit as Freedom for
All in Religion (FAIR).
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