Some thoughts about the settlement of Laura’s case.
For the few Monday Morning Quarterbacks out there who think she should have gone through to trial — please read this earlier post about Debbie Cook settling her case. Of course the circumstances are different, but the sentiment remains. Unless you have walked in the shoes of someone engaged in litigation with scientology, you should not dare be critical.
I believe there are many more who have congratulated Laura for her persistence and are happy she was able to get to a successful outcome, especially in light of this:
The newest addition to their family is THE most important thing to be cared for and protected. It was not a time to be going to trial. Grace is doing well according to Laura’s FB page. For any of you who know Laura’s history you will know her last child was a touch and go situation (Oliver is a strapping young boy now) and that preeclampsia is serious. Laura was admitted to hospital due to high blood pressure this time too — the only know cure is delivery of the baby. Grace was born at 29 weeks.
Since the early days of Laura’s case I have not really commented about it on my blog as I was assisting the legal team and was a witness to be called at trial. I withheld commentary because I did not want to compromise my potential help to Laura. I left the commentary on the case to Tony Ortega. Same with the Garcia case — I will perhaps now write something about that too. Tony Ortega has done a wonderful job of documenting the events, the only journalist anywhere who understood the significance of this case and treated it as important.
I do not know anything about the settlement other than what I read in the media. I don’t even care to know any details. I have not even spoken with Laura about it since the settlement was done, she has been busy bringing her daughter into the world.
But I do have some observations given my experience and what I know about the case.
Laura DeCrescenzo inflicted serious and permanent damage on scientology.
I knew they would be desperate to settle and had told Laura for two years or more scientology would never allow this case to go to trial, the closer it got, the more desperate they would become. And once a trial was inevitable scientology would pay whatever she asked. The trial date was fast approaching, and with no further realistic avenues for them to pursue to avoid it, the rubber finally met the road.
Laura and her legal team persisted for 9 years. Few make it that far.
We must never forget the legacy of this lawsuit — things that will never change and help anyone else in the future who might have been harmed by scientology’s abusive practices:
1. A ruling from the California Appeals Court that set aside scientology’s argument that she was barred from bringing her case by the statute of limitations. The Appeals Court ruled that the actions of scientology, including the unenforceable “contracts” and gag agreements they had her sign, made her falsely believe she had no claims against them and had waived all her rights. The court found that scientology could not benefit by reason of having brainwashed and tricked her to then claim she had been too slow in bringing her lawsuit. Everyone who has signed any sort of agreement with scientology when they left the Sea Org should be eternally thankful to Laura and her legal team for this. (See more below)
2. Laura obtained her pc folders. These contained proof of many of her claims. Scientology fought this tooth and nail, all the way to the United States Supreme Court and LOST. Their arguments about protecting their “priest/penitent” documents failed to persuade the Judge in the case, the California Appellate Court, the California Supreme Court and ultimately the USSC. Scientology was forced to turn over her pc folders to her. Again, everyone who has a pc folder owes a debt of thanks to Laura and her team. It is a precedent that will benefit many in the future.
3. Scientology no longer even TALKS to Sea Org members who get pregnant about getting an abortion. Laura brought to light the incredible pressure on her to get an abortion. Those Sea Org couples who have become pregnant in the last few years may or may not know that their ability to have a family and escape the Sea Org was in large part because of Laura’s courage and persistence. But whether they know, those children are in the world today thanks to Laura.
Just to be very clear on the significance of point 1 above, here are some quotes from the California Appeals Court for those who are interested in the legal impact of this. Scientology tried mightily to get this Appeals Court decision overturned and failed — asking for the Appeals Court to review, the Supreme Court to review and the trial court to revisit and reconsider again throwing out Laura’s case. They failed at every turn.
Following are direct quotes from the Appellate Court decision:
Court of Appeal, Second District, California.
LAURA ANN DeCRESCENZO, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL et al., Defendants and Respondents.
Decided: June 24, 2011
Laura Ann DeCrescenzo appeals a judgment dismissing her complaint against Church of Scientology International (Scientology) and Religious Technology Center (collectively, defendants) after the sustaining of demurrers without leave to amend based on the statutes of limitations. Plaintiff contends she has adequately pled a combination of delayed discovery of her causes of action and a basis for equitable estoppel precluding defendants from asserting a statute of limitations defense. Our review of this record compels the conclusion that plaintiff has adequately alleged that (1) she was unable to comprehend the wrongfulness of the defendants’ conduct for a period of time and that her causes of action did not accrue until she did so and (2) even after her delayed discovery of her causes of action, the defendants’ threats and intimidation caused her to delay filing her complaint.
We therefore will reverse the judgment with directions.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed a complaint against Scientology in April 2009 alleging that she began working for that organization at the age of nine, became effectively a full-time employee at the age of ten, and later left her home and family in another state to work for Scientology in California. She alleged that she married a co-worker at the age of sixteen, became pregnant, and that Scientology forced her to have an abortion at the age of seventeen. She also alleged that during the time she was employed by Scientology, from 1991 to 2004, she was paid less than the minimum wage and worked under other illegal conditions.
Plaintiff further alleged that (1) Scientology severely restricted her personal freedom and applied repressive measures to enforce her loyalty to the organization; (2) she was allowed to leave her employment in 2004, at the age of 25, only after she had attempted suicide; (3) she had little formal education at that time, was unsophisticated, and had been isolated from mainstream society and culture; (4) she was subjected to a coercive exit interview and required to sign documents purportedly exculpating Scientology, and that the documents were illegal and unenforceable; (5) she was not given a copy of the documents that she signed and (6) Scientology falsely represented to her in the exit interview that she had no claims and no recourse against Scientology and others and that she owed Scientology approximately $120,000 for her job training.
CONTENTIONS
Plaintiff contends (1) she adequately had alleged delayed discovery of each count alleged in the complaint, so the causes of action did not accrue until 2004; (2) defendants are equitably estopped from asserting the statute of limitations for the period from 2004 to July 2008 because (a) they falsely represented that the documents she signed released them from liability and (b) they threatened and intimidated her; (3) she is entitled to leave to amend her complaint to allege additional facts establishing a basis for equitable estoppel, if necessary; and (4) collateral estoppel is inapplicable.
…
Plaintiff alleged in her second amended complaint that she worked and resided at Scientology’s facilities from the age of 12 until she was 25 years old, that she was isolated from mainstream society and deprived of her personal freedom, and that she was “brainwashed” and did not comprehend her legal rights. She alleged that (1) she was forced to work in harsh conditions and subjected to punishment; (2) at the time she terminated her employment and left the facility in 2004, she was required to sign documents purporting to exculpate defendants and requiring her to keep certain information confidential or suffer penalties and fines; (3) defendants knew that those documents were contrary to law and unenforceable, and that defendants intended to intimidate her into believing that she had no legal rights against them; (4) she was told at that time that she owed defendants approximately $120,000 for her job training; (5) she remained a loyal Scientology follower until July 2008 and that, as a loyal follower, she was forbidden from reading or thinking anything negative about Scientology; (6) she was threatened with harassment and banishment from her family and friends who remained at the Scientology facilities if she were deemed an enemy of Scientology; (7) after leaving the facility, she made payments on her purported debt for some time because she believed that she was obligated to do so and she reasonably believed that she had no legal rights or claims against defendants because of their representations concerning the documents that she had signed; and (8) she first realized in July 2008 that she might have legal claims against defendants despite the documents she had previously signed, when she happened upon some information on the Internet and her family members then shared their concerns.
While it is arguably true that defendants’ alleged representations concerning the legal effect of documents that plaintiff signed amount to a denial of legal liability – which is not sufficient to support a claim of equitable estoppel (Lantzy, supra, 31 Cal.4th at p. 384, fn. 18; Vu, supra, 26 Cal.4th at p. 1152) – plaintiff has alleged more than simply defendants’ denial of liability. She has also alleged threats of banishment and harassment. Plaintiff has further alleged that she was particularly vulnerable to defendants’ influence, both during her formative years as a child and young adult, and after the time that she left the facility when she remained an adherent. In these circumstances, including particularly the context of her long subservient relationship with Scientology, we believe that the alleged intimidation and threats of banishment and harassment, if true, may preclude defendants, in equity, from asserting the statute of limitations as a defense.
Those are amazing accomplishments and that is quite a legacy.
I tip my hat to Laura and her legal team. Well done!
And an even bigger congratulations to her for doing the most important thing on earth — being a wonderful mother who always puts her family first. You rock Laura.
What about a class action law suit for everybody that ever signed a billion years contract? Is that possible?
Yes, Laura struck the cult an extremely serious blow. The door is now open for similar lawsuits with rulings based on the precedents set in this case! This is really exciting!
Laura, you really rock, gal! I’m so happy for you! Kudos to your legal team, and to you for bringing forth out of yourself what was needed to stick with it for 9 long years. And kudos to Mike Rinder for his support and advice that unquestionably helped. And to Tony O for his excellent reporting. Baby Grace, you’re going to grow strong, and you’re going to have a wonderful life!
Well said.
Dear Troublemakers and Anti-Scientology Cultists (haha),
Now I don’t know why I am being dragged into this furore? I usually only reserve my biting comments for those articles like “Terra’s Terrible Technical Treatises” or “Mike’s Misunderstoods and the Ramblings Thereof” rather than getting involved in “political” discussions here. And of course negating the nonsense of Katherine Invalidate, Back Porch Brian, Lucifer George the Jesuit and not forgetting of course No-Wynski and Chief Lab Rat Miss B. Craven.
Anyway, as you are all against what Alanzo has to say, undoubtedly then he has struck a nerve and you are all swooning and dreaming up the next brickbat to hurl in his direction, but I am sure Alanzo can deal with them. (I don’t know him by the way before we get the usual OSA references.)
And as for “daily” commenting by me, you should be so lucky – once a week if that when a “spontaneous combustion” article occurs.
I will leave you now to carry on dreaming up the next brickbat and suppression.
Pray tell, who “dragged ” you into this? All you are doing is embarassing yourself with your “biting comments” and childish name calling. Keep practising and one day you will may just make it as a reasonable troll.
Here is someone who has obviously failed to notice that the whole site is full of “biting comments” and childish name calling. So I will carry on learning how to be a troll by reading here. Makes one wonder can you actually read what is being stated on here?
How about answering my question or is that too difficult?
Do a CTRL-F for “Foolproof” mentions on this page, or is that too difficult?
Yawn, your inane evasion was so utterly expected.
How about answering my question or is that too difficult?
Kronomex – is that a Mexican watch?
Evasion? Ah I see now – you are one of these people who understand things literally and think that “dragged” means physically pulled or whatever you think it means. Can I recommend the Key to Life Course followed by the Primary Rundown, then you won’t think so literally! However, the KTL and PRD are indeed somewhat difficult – not for the faint-hearted but it does remove those blocks of wood which most people carry around in their heads and do their thinking with, somewhat like a mental abacus – literally!
Curious. Is there anywhere you can actually do these courses?
These courses? Probably not anymore, which explains a lot of the trouble with the Church.
Ut vel responsione non hercle nimis est difficile?
I think Foolproof is Alanzo. He doth protest too much.
I think you think-eth too much, verily
Anything to say about the victory over Scientology, Fullproof?
What “victory” is that then?
“Again, everyone who has a pc folder owes a debt of thanks to Laura and her team. It is a precedent that will benefit many in the future.”
Mike, do you think this could mean that any “parishioner” could request his/her PC files upon leaving the “church” and then be able to have legal recourse if the “church” refused their request? If so, this truly is HUGE and should be proclaimed from the rooftops!
If you are willing to sue
Awesome! They sure got it right when they agreed that she did not sue earlier because of undue influence by the “Church”. In my own case I could say the same thing. However in my own case my wins are (1). I am still alive 16 years after the Church and 6 doctors and.1 Captain Freewinds predicted my death and (2) I got my then wife off of the ship. So, thank you Laura and Mike.
Grace is an exceptionally beautiful name, which is why I chose it for my online ID. 🙂
I am so thrilled for Laura, and grateful to her for her willingness to fight the good fight. There is no doubt that this case has achieved historic outcomes.
We mustn’t forget that Claire and Marc Headley’s cases brought enormous media attention to the issue of Scientology forced abortions, and were a very significant cause of the change of behaviour of Miscavige and crew.
Having birth two premature babies myself, my thoughts & prayers are with Laura & her family for baby Grace’s continued health. Having a tiny one in NICU is very stressful, seeing your little one hooked up to monitors & feeding tubes & in an incubator is heart wrenching.
Having to leave your little premmie in the NICU when you are discharged from the hospital was one of the hardest things I had to do. Driving back and forth for visits to hold & fed your OWN baby in the NICU when all you want is for the sweet baby to come home. So PROUD Laura stood firm…..Blessing on Laura and her family…may then continue to enjoy life’s freedoms.
Laura and family,
Congratulations on the birth of Baby Grace!
What a fabulous month for your family!!
Best Wishes
This is great! Well done to Laura and all those who helped her achieve this victory.
This is huge! Scientology will never recover. It’s a slow dwindling spiral to total failure and being nothing
What a triumph.
I never thought i would live to see this day. These new precedents set down in stone give hope to thousands. Well doe to Laure and her legal team. The hurdles they had to overcome were immense. The courage to battle against what often must have felt futile . The strength to march on regardless. This is a massive win that benefits us all.
Sounds like a Landmark Decision to me.
Congratulations to a very brave Laura and her legal team, Mike and the rest. A wonderful job of asserting human rights that will hopefully change this nasty little cult amd pave the way for others
DM and Shelly have never given birth to a baby, a son or daughter, and have never seen or experienced the miracle of life and responsibility for such.
Thank God.
BIG TIME CONGRATS LAURA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It takes a village to “right the ship” (pun intended) and Laura has done her part! Congrats Laura!
Also.. Mike, I am a newcomer to the town of Dunedin which is next town north of Clearwater and I have been schooling myself on the whole Cult of Scientology. Bravo to you and Leah for all of the work you have and are continuing to do. Also, bravo for all of the other brave ex-Scientology folks that have come forward. My heart goes out to all of you.
[cheering from the never-in sidelines]
I think the clincher was pushing to get Miscavige in the witness box that sealed it in her favour. They are absolutely terrified of having the demented one fronting the public in a court case. Well done and I hope things can only get better for you and your family.
This is one tough lady. Thank you Laura. Your persistence and courage are amazing. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter!
Laura,
Your perseverance is something to be admired. Congratulations! On both counts!
Mike,
Thank you for the information on the case, that definitely changes my view on the impacts of this suit on $CN.
Oh tremendous news about the baby!! Congratulations Laura and family and what a perfect name for the wee one!!
The other day, I had asked a question over at the bunker as to “what if” the case had gone to trial – would Laura not have had them over a barrel anyway and been assured of walking away with a settlement and no gag order. And someone explained that the settlement part would not have been a guarantee – which I didn’t understand beforehand. I was a bit lambasted by Tony O who assumed I had hoped Laura had “held out” or not agreed to a gag order so she could do talk shows and go on the road etc…- . Which wasn’t the case at all.. furthest thing from my mind. I was curious as were a few others…and you perfectly explained the whole scenario. The new baby and Laura’s condition is priority. And her 9 year fight without once giving up is amazing. So thank you very much for the great summation. Laura and so many others who have come forward have courage beyond words and so much fortitude. She has helped many people. Thanks again Mike. Blessings on Laura and all who stood by her.
Thanks Madge.
If Laura decides she never wants to speak about scientology again in her life I would not blame her. She did her bit. I have no idea if she will or she won’t but it’s not even worth discussing right now, she has far more important things to do.
Mike,
Thank you for making clear the tremendous courage and accomplishments of Laura and her legal team. This one more chink in the armor removed from the cult and the exact spot to aim the next time.
Scientology is run by an abject coward. Hence everyone below him does not stand a chance of standing up to the light of truth. This is a victory for all of us and most important for Laura’s children and future children of future ex scientologists.
One more nail in the coffin and this one is huge. This is a legal victory of remarkable consequences. The tenacity of Laura and her legal team has won at last. The cut of greed creates its own demise by acting according to policy which is of course nuts. LRH ended demented and alone in the middle of nowhere, being afraid of dust, neighbours, body thetans, far from his family and his followers. The fate of the cult won’t be different, Miscavige will go even crazier, he will die anyway one of this days and the tech does not work. No clears, no OTs just an extortion racket abusing people of good will. The cult isn’t fashionable, but one of these days it will be fashionable to take it down. Politicians are rarely brave they will act when they can get a profit out of taking the cult down and that day is coming closer and closer.
Congratulations to the new parents. Only eighteen more years until the chick leaves the nest! …or twenty one, or like our youngest twenty-six, surely no more than thirty… all good years, of course.
Thank you Laura, for going the extra miles in your case. To anyone who thinks she should have done more, I say “pffah!” There are only two outcomes to a civil suit for the plaintiff – they get money, or they don’t. If the case goes to trial, the possibility of “no money” remains, so why not settle for as much as you can before the trial starts? One of my favorite actors, James Garner, did exactly that in one of his lawsuits with studios – despite his internal desire to punish the studios by going to court, he took his friends’ advices and settled, but only at the last minute, getting a dollar amount that was, of course, undisclosed due to the NDA. But his wife knew thr amount, and she put up a big “V” in lipstick on their front door, and kept it there for over a year.
Here’s a big “V” for Laura the plaintiff, and another “V” for Laura the mother. Well done.
I hope Laura and her team are truly happy with the settlement. Such a long battle would not be easy to reconcile as Scientology is a ruthlessly cruel and heartless beast to get involved with.
Scientology cares nothing about the lives of people it feeds upon, only obtaining money by deception and being obeyed without question. Laura did much to quash that beast. I’m in awe at the courage and persistence of her.
She’s a very brave young lady. And I’m a bit in awe of her and what she’s been through. How many of us could done what she did.
I was honestly amazed that scientology didn’t cave when they lost the Supreme Court appeal. Laura getting her confessional folders was HUGE.
The naysayers who wanted it all to come out at trial need to understand how much of it is public record already. A competent reporter could take the court r cords and recreate so much af Laura’s Sea org life. Just look at how much is discussed in this one (public record) court order posted today.
If anyone needs to lobby for something, go,after a journalist to make this story hit the big time, the data is already there.
I hope Laura is now able to leave the past behind and enjoy mothering her children. She deserves only joy.
Indeed, family first! Congratulations to Laura both on her baby and winning over scn.
You da woman, Laura! Boy howdy are you.
Thank you, Laura and your lawyers. Thanks t Mike and Tony for all the coverage and all you do for all of us !
Thanks Mike for this post. I agree with you 100% and all of your points are impeccable. I know people wanted her to go all the way to court. What really annoys me are those that have made comments comparing her to the Rathbun case. That is like comparing apples to oranges. With the Rathbun case I say follow that dirty money trail that unfortunately the lawyers won’t find cause it’s all hidden away in Switzerland.
Well done Laura, enjoy your family, your life, you merit every minute of happiness after all the hell you went through.
I am so very proud of Laura (my niece) for her perseverance! She is one strong you woman.
Didn’t know you were related. I know you’re very proud of her. In fact, I’ll bet everyone on this blog is proud of her. I just wish we an applause machine.
that should say: young woman, but you get the idea!!
I stand corrected.
I was corrected once while sitting – never again!
Bravo to Laura and her attorney & legal team. Tho I don’t personally know Laura, I couldn’t be more proud of her…even if I did. She demonstrated perseverance and determination and has been unstoppable while confronting the daunting & vicious behemoth that is Scientology. The precedents her case has established now literally light the way for others to seek justice for the destruction CoS, Miscavige and his minions have caused to herself and the lives of so many.
Wishing her warm congratulations for this huge feat….but even more importantly wishing Laura, and her family congratulations on the birth of baby Grace. What a lovely name. May they all be blessed with health and happiness now and always.
Love,
FredEX2
Mike, I really appreciate you taking the time to detail out the full significance and even specific accomplishments of Laura’s case and settlement. I agree that Tony’s excellent coverage of Laura’s case has been wonderful, and I’ve been following his every post. Your blog today though helped me to succinctly see the actual accomplishments which will most likely serve as precedents for upcoming cases. Perhaps her accomplishment will even motivate others and give them confidence to file suit against the cult based on those achievements. I am truly grateful for those things. Most of all, Laura has developed some pretty broad shoulders on which she has carried the weight of this suit, and has cared for and expanded her family through all of this, which is amazing and I admire her tenacity, strength and resilience. She’s a hero ♥️
A spectacular job by Laura and her legal team in persisting for nine long years. Laura can now get on with her life and hold her head up high knowing she prevailed in the American courts against the incredible injustices inflicted upon her by the world’s most malicious cult and its equally venal lawyers.
Laura’s case showed the intrinsic bad faith central to Scientology. This intrinsic bad faith has three main elements:
1. Dirty unenforceable contracts of adhesion. Scientology’s reliance upon these contracts was tested in both Garcia and DeCrescenzo. Scientology lost in DeCrescenzo where the court held these contracts were unenforceable. Scientology prevailed in Garcia because Judge Whittemore incompetently, even bizarrely, ruled in favor of Scientology’s sham arbitration.
2. Fair Game — Tactics ranging from intimidation up into psycho-terrorism, spying, wiretapping, the use of PI’s, publication of hate websites, defamation, libel, etc.
3. Disconnection.
The Scientology Fair Game tactics and legal playbook is in the public record. This is important for all future cases.
Xcellent; well done!
I am so thrilled that Laura had won her lawsuit against this odious group! Thank you Laura for persisting through nine years and seeing this to the end. It gives hope to others who have been blocked by the Statute of Limitations. Congratulations to the family on the birth of their new baby girl!!!
I am thrilled that Laura won her case! I am thankful to her for taking this all the way through nine years. It gives hope to others who have been blocked because of the Statute of Limitations from suing this odious group. Congratulations to Laura and her family on their new baby girl!
I believe it’s even bigger, legally, as those things in the judges’ declarations are no longer allegations but established truths
“…. Tony Ortega has done a wonderful job of documenting the events, the only journalist anywhere who understood the significance of this case and treated it as important….”
He is an unsung hero.
Indeed he is. Thank you Tony!
These rulings set an epic precedent
She unlocked the deluge. Look out, Cult Town. Others will follow! Bwahahahahahahahahahahah!!!
Thank you Mike.
Congratulations Laura on the birth of your baby girl. We are very happy for you and your family.
Congratulations and THANK YOU for hanging in there with this case against this vile church. You prevailed and did the world a great favor by knocking a great big hole in the tactics used by this vile church.
My the rest of your life be spent enjoying your growing family and loved ones. Best wishes always.
I am so happy for Laura, I hope the settlement has 8 or nine zeros on it.
It occurred to me that, if Laura had stayed with the cult through a pregnancy, she might not have fared so well. Touch assists do not do diddle squat for the preeclampsia condition.
Like almost everyone else, I applaud this win for Laura, and the major blow struck against Scientology. abuses.Thanks for explaining the importance of this win.
I was also very happy for Debbie Cook and even for Marty Rathbun until he turned his coat again and started saying crazy stuff and completely understand why they chose to settle.
This having been said, it would be great if someone, sometime does elect to go all the way to trial. I would love to see Miscavige questioned on the stand. Maybe it will happen some day.
Laura, I am so grateful to you, you’r team and your amazing perseverance. You’ve laid a path of wins to soften the runway of future litigation.
May your win put wind in the sails of future litigants against the abominable cult.
Mike wrote:
Why didn’t you ever say this about Monique Rathbun?
Alanzo
Have never disparaged Monique in any way shape or form and said nothing about Marty until he turned it into his full time activity to attack those speaking the truth about the abuses of scientology.
You’re still a Marty fan?
You’re telling everyone else here not to “dare be critical” of anyone who has engaged in Scientology litigation, and who valued their family over the fight.
You never did that for Monique Rathbun, when she did the exact same thing, and when she sure could have used it.
Do you have the social courage to stand up for her now in the same way?
Yeah, well the difference is that in doing what she did she stiffed the lawyers that had gotten her there.
Not going to defend that, they invested millions into that case and had no choice in the decision.
And unlike others, her husband then turned around and became a shill for scientology which she has willingly supported.
You consider “social courage” to be defending that?
Says a lot about you Alonzo.
I thought, per you, no one should dare be critical of anyone who went through Scientology litigation? That, right there, was pretty critical of someone who went though Scientology litigation.
Would you apply the same dare-not-criticize policy to Gerry Armstrong? Stacy Brooks? Bob Minton? Arnie Lerma? Dennis Ehrlich?
Some of us have a longer memory, and know much more of the history, than you want people to think about as you coach people to dare not be critical.
And sometimes, it’s just hilarious.
Alanzo
As usual you twisted what I said. I said Monday Morning quarterbacks who have not been involved in scientology litigation should not criticize Laura (or Debbie) for settling instead of going to trial.
And as you might know, I have a lot of experience in scientology litigation both for and against, including being deposed in the Garcia case and testifying in court, called to testify in the Cook case and filing declarations and providing assistance to the lawyers in several other cases including Laura’s.
And your participation other than to lob potshots in support of the Rathbun’s is what? Your extensive history of sitting in the peanut gallery is supposed to be impressive?
I’ve read the mutterings of Alanzo for years now & then along came Foolproof. Their minds and responses follow along an exact channeled path & it doesn’t take much for an experienced ex-Scio or Scio watcher to accurately predict what they are going to say next. For whatever my opinion is worth, I believe that Alanzo, Foolproof et al of their ilk have something very much in common with Hubbard & MIscavige – they are addicted to themselves.
Social creatures are flexible, they are not!
The only thing that’s hilarious is your futile attempt to convince anyone that Marty shouldn’t be criticized in regard to the lawsuit.
Marty’s a dirty, lying prick who’s now shilling for the cult of $cientology again; saying pretty much the complete OPPOSITE of things he posted on his blog (or mentioned in interviews & documentaries) for years.
I’m sure you’d like everyone to forget that he completely stiffed his lawyer, Ray Jeffrey, after he’d spent a shit ton of money and time on the lawsuit. How very ethical of Marty to rip someone off.
But hey, let’s discuss more important things — like Marty’s horrid brown suit and his colossally-full-of-shit script written by Miscavige.
I just don’t understand why Alanzo has such a hard on for Mike & Tony O. I see him pop up and take jabs at them frequently. Seems he has a bit of the Marty syndrome. Can’t handle that he’s no longer an important voice. No ones buying the crap he’s peddling
At this point Alanzo’s arguments are not even differences in opinion. Like Flat-Earthers, facts and truth have no part in his diatribes.
If I were he, I would cal 911 and ask for a psychiatric hold and a nice tight upper jacket.
nomnom —
Oh, dear.
Now we’ll hear the conspiracy theory from Alanzo about how psychiatrists are working against the cult of $cientology (despite the fact that they couldn’t care less about $ci); about how “psychs” have no idea how to handle people with various issues (despite the fact that they had to spend several years devoted to study); and how they’re from the planet Farsec…LOL!
I can hardly wait for him to talk all his bollocks. It’s highly entertaining.
Yes. Yes it does.
Somebody just kicked Alanzo’s ass.
I don’t think Monique’s law firm invested millions. They surely paid office staff who worked on the case and probably filing fees. The lawyers invested however much time they spent in the hopes of a big payout.
How would you quantify the time spent by three law firms? They had expenses and they were unable to earn from other clients when doing free work on the Rathbun case. That’s worth millions. And if you think Ray Jeffrey was doing this for the money, you have no idea of the circumstances surrounding his hiring — first to represent Debbie Cook who was BEING SUED BY SCIENTOLOGY and did not have the money to pay for these lawyers.
So for a variety of reasons a law firm or law firms took on a contingency case. Monique isn’t the first or last person to drop a lawsuit, also for a variety of reasons. You win some, you lose some. Saying Monique stiffed lawyers doesn’t work for me.
Apparently you don’t need to work for a living. For those who do, someone telling you “sorry, I unilaterally decided I didn’t want to pay you, bye” is unacceptable behavior. Then buying a new house and pretending not to know you after you worked for the them for years… that doesn’t work for me.
But you have a right to your opinion. But I would never work for you.
It’s now being noted that social media is causing a shift in culture. Negative information sticks more than positive information allowing media giants to ever so slightly shift and manipulate attention and thought which is cumulative over time.
The legal system is adversarial but on a positive note I read the legal part in the topic and found it intelligible even with some legaleze. With all the criticism the legal system gets it was good to see that court present clear and rational thinking.
Richard – one experienced litigator can bill out at $500 an hour. I’ll bet it’s not that high in that part of the US, but let’s assume each attorney billed at $300 an hour.
All the court appearances, the reasearch, the trial strategy……that adds up.
The decision to drop the case is obviously Monique’s to make. But the way it was done, with cryptic and flimsy excuses, speaks boatloads about the character of Monique and Marty Rathbun.
So much for his “code of honor”
It’s the code of honor of a madman (LRH)
Yes, the lawyers spent a lot of valuable time on Marty’s and Mosey’s case, time that could have been spent on paying clients. The loss of potential income was great. It took a ton of time to just get hatted up on the Scn nomenclature and ethics system, the LRH policies operated from and etc. Then add in time spent to strategize, find witnesses, get paperwork filed and done, and it is a LOT of time. And yes, the legal help have to get paid even if the lawyers are working on contingency. Mike did a masterful takedown of Alonzo today. Well done Mike!
Richard —
If you think Ray Jeffrey took the case to “get a big payout”, then you clearly have no idea WHY he took the case, and, apparently, you’re definitely not aware of his character.
I don’t presume to know exactly why Ray Jeffrey took the case or why Monique bailed out. My understanding is that in a contingency case the law firm waives (most) fees to the client in the expectation of being compensated from a settlement IF the case is won. There is nothing wrong with that and implies nothing negative about the law firm.
My guess as to why a client drops such a case is that the client gets worn out or doesn’t expect satisfaction, monetarily or otherwise.
I think there are clauses in contingency cases saying that if the client drops the case he or she becomes liable for attorney costs, hence Monique’s carefully worded “exit” filing.
Alanzo, the daily visitor to this blog, along with Fool…, proves once again that they just can’t stay away, no matter how hard they try to offer substantial criticism.
Hey Mike —
Unless his reply to your question hasn’t been posted just yet, isn’t it cute how Alanzo hasn’t answered whether or not he’s still a Marty fan? I’d be far too embarrassed to admit that, too.
Mary is the slime trail left by slugs.
At least I don’t have to try to like him anymore.
Alanzo – what rock did you come out of? Are you friggin serious? you’re going to compare the Monique case to this case. Please go back to Marty’s blog. Oh, and ask him where he stashed all that money.
What ms. P said and I would add to that ……… Go fuck yerself Alanzo. Get yer scrawny ass back over to Marty’s site and take Foolproof with you. And why not re-up with Dave for another million or so light years, you deserve each other.
Alanzo, normal right thinking people understood what Mike was saying and he is right. Anyone who has not actually been dragged through the special Hell that is litigation against Scientology can have NO idea of
the realities of such an experience. Just like if you’ve never lived through a hurricane you cannot presume to judge anyone who has. You really must be desperate for attention to grasp at such small straws.
Alanzo, We all know it wasn’t Monique pulling the strings here; it was Marty. Marty Rathbun has only One agenda: Marty Rathbun. Always has been, Always will be. And, Trust me; he sold out for much more than money.
By the way, considering the attitude you’re displaying here, should we add You to the list of OSA Trolls?
Marne, I don’t think we actually know that. I for one would not assume that this was all Marty’s idea. How do we know that she is Marty’s puppet? It was HER lawsuit, SHE was ok with dropping it in that enigmatic, evasive way. Why assume? One way or another, we don’t KNOW. And then there’s the “birds of a feather” reasoning to support that, if it wasn’t her idea, she was wholly on board with dropping the lawsuit, stiffing the attorneys, and returning her husband to Co$’s “Regularly Scheduled Program”.
I think the reason people say Marty was the one in charge even if in name only it was Mosey’s lawsuit, is because of his personality. He has to be in control at all times. He has to be the big shot calling the shots. This is why people say he was pulling the puppet strings, IMHO.
I hear you, but if what you say is true, so what, she’s a puppet.and she likes or needs to be a puppet – big deal. Doesn’t make her any less guilty. And how do we even know that it wasn’t HER idea to drop the whole thing and take the cult’s money and run? That maybe that’s what SHE wanted and she had to talk Marty into it? The answer is, we don’t know. So, she’s quiet, so she doesn’t make a ruckus the way Marty does, she says nothing – well, fine. She still did something very unfair and unethical. How nice.that she’s QUIET about it all. Not a peep out of her. I say bullshit. It was HER lawsuit. It was HER call, not Marty’s. She knows that. Birds of a feather. She’s right there in the mud with him.
I don’t disagree with anything you say, Aquamarine. Whoever had the idea to stiff their lawyers and turn coat to the other side, it was a treasonous, traitor type of thing to do. Marty has just made his own hell on earth because he has to live with what he did day in and day out. (And Mosey too). Sure it is easier to live with the big bucks he got, but his integrity is out the bottom and he knows it.
Mike,
Would it be possible for you to get the press to publish the details of Laura’s case and maybe have her appear on the Aftermath?
OR
Since Laura can’t speak of it, do an episode on gag ordered cases the church settled OR just Laura’s case.
Now THAT is a good idea!
Yes Mary! Exactly! Do and A&E episode on gag orders and how people can’t speak out anymore, so a lot of the truth of the human rights violations is being suppressed from the public. And let them know that that is why Laura waited so long to file a lawsuit, because they bullied her into believing that their legal jargon on papers she signed was actually enforceable, which it isn’t.
Congrats Laura. Keep strong woman! ❤️ Bravo for the excellennt blog Mike.
Laura definitely rocks! I hope others follow her lead. Precedents are set now and that means so much legally. Happy Motherhood again!
The COS learned the hard way that going to court is a potential PR minefield. Back in the Eighties and Nineties, they got their “reality adjustment.” They hadn’t anticipated that in the legal process all sorts of unsavory things could be entered as testimony, and then become a matter of public record. It made them cautious, and even timid about going to court. They still talked the big talk, but it was turning into a bluff. Nowadays, I’m sure they’d rather not take their dirty laundry into the courtroom, even though they pretend to be fearless. I’m guessing that lawyers who decide to take on the COS understand this. The rest of us should understand it as well.
Good afternoon everyone. A never in here again. I follow Mike & Tony’s blog, I read the stunning victory of Laura and her family last night! BRAVO!!!
I also read that IT letter sent to the Mighty Midget. WOW! The author of that letter, who’s name escapes me now, not only sited LRH word for word, but literally threw the book at him. What a bunch of powerful people that have left that horrific cult. I say Bravo to you all. ????
I did not know about the baby. Many, many prayers for little Grace to grow and get strong and come home. As for Laura, I’m continually blown over by her bravery, especially in light of her being pregnant at the time. Congratulations Laura and family.
Live happily, healthily and peaceably. God bless your family.
Thank you for your contributions to ending this monstrous cancer.
I applaud this ended with a settlement for her and, like you said, I hope she got a lot out of it. She deserves it.
More important is the legal trail she got validated in court as far as the abuses, lies, coercion and forceful means for her to undergo abortion.
Very happy for you Laura and thank you for your persistence as well.
And the bigger appreciation goes to you Mike for keeping this blog going and for all the things you do. Thank you indeed. I’m with you.
Ditto.
And thanks to the lawyers who took Laura’s case.
Their successful lawyering will be a precedent for future cases.
Now that’s something to look forward to!
There’s an old Chinese proverb: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. This is a Giant step added to those made by many of your predecessors, from Paulette Cooper on forward. Bless you, Laura, and all those before you for your courage, fortitude and perseverance. You are the collective David to $’s Goliath. HE WILL FALL, and it won’t be long before he does. Bless You..
Hi Laura. Hope the rest of your life is free of cult concerns and full of the love of family.
Both of my daughters were born at the same age and size of yours. Over the past few years they have blessed me with five beautiful grand children. Medical science and the love of their parents pulled everyone through just fine. Best wishes for a great future for all of you.
And many thanks for your courage and the tenacity of your legal team for delivering such a decisive blow to the vicious cult and it’s sociopathic dictator.
Wow such great news. I hope everyone in that situation goes after Scientology and there reprehensible ways. It’s shameful what they do to fellow human beings.
As much as I wanted to see this case go to trial I completely understand Laura wanting to settle and I’m in awe of her strength and perseverance. I hope she got a big fat check from this wicked cult. Precedent has been set to pave the way for future cases of which I hope there are enough to finally bankrupt Scientology. A big thank you to everyone who battled the bully!
Laura you rock is right…. you brought tears to my eyes too… all my love to you and your family.
“Their arguments about protecting their “priest/penitent” documents failed to persuade the Judge in the case, the California Appellate Court, the California Supreme Court and ultimately the USSC.”
I believe this will have impacts far beyond Laura’s case. Especially when AG’s and DA’s around the country start issuing subpoenas for PC, and ‘ethics’, files in support of criminal cases.
Laura DeCrescenzo’s case deserves its own A & E special. Show it right after the Danny Masterson Special.
Zeemoo, I Second the Motion!
I third the motion!
Congratulations to Laura. This was an incredible victory. Now it is time for the many others who have also been abused to step forward.
Bravo to Laura and her attorney for persistence and fortitude to see this through. Many blessings to family.
Also thanks Mike Rinder for what you do and how you do it.
Wow! Thanks Mike for laying this out so well. I truly thank Laura from the bottom of my heart for what she has done and accomplished for all of us. It is awesome. a BIG congrats to Laura on the birth of baby Grace – what a fitting name……I am so happy for you Laura. You are my heroine!!
Laura: The giant killer! Bravo!
Like you said, Mike. Congratulations to Laura. I wish you and your family all the best going forward.
Nine years! That is some amazing perseverance. Thank you, Laura! <3
Laura, we all should have immense gratitude for your courage and persistence through all that you have endured and for so long. Wishing that every day forward is better than the best you’ve already had for you and your family! <3
Three cheers to Laura and her family, her legal team and all of you who are helping to bring an end to this sordid cult!
Yo Dave,
Howz it feel to be the nail in yer own coffin. You more than anyone are helping to slam the lid on out ethics cults, especially yer own.
Yo Julian,
I imagine you have a lot on yer plate these days trying to handle that Southcoast Mission ED you declared. How exactly are you goin to be sure that none of yer out ethics crap does not leak out?
Not to worry, the truth about that suicide in Clearwater IS GOING TO COME OUT!
Congratulations Laura! Your a trooper.
Spot on!
Excellent article, Mike. Thank you for the excerpts from the ruling and your commentary on its importance. Yes, precedence has been set and this case was so important for so many reasons. Those who get mad that she took the settlement instead of forcing DM into court need to read this article to see the wins her case did accomplish.
I second that: Excellent summation of that complicated subject.
Well said, I concur wholeheartedly.
Best of luck Laura, you’re incredibly brave.