Scientology Lawyers and Litigation

 

This is the third post in a series that began with Scientology’s Cowardly Celebrities 

And continued with Scientology’s Cowardly Whales

Prompted by Tony Ortega’s recent post below, Leah compiled and wrote most of this.

Tony once again did an excellent job of exposing Scientology and its operatives, shedding light on the actions Scientology and its members have been carrying out for decades. Sadly, this is just one example of what Scientology continues to do,  and will persist in doing-without government intervention

It’s exhausting to keep sounding the alarm, only to see the same destructive tactics play out time and time again. Yet here we are, with the chilling revelation that the defense in the Danny Masterson trial went to a juror’s home. Of course, they did. Scientology’s policies demand these kinds of tactics: infiltrate, lie, cheat, steal, and harass anyone perceived as a threat to their organization or their cases. And this is ONLY what we know about.

Prior to this incident, “In June 2023, two of Danny Masterson’s former attorneys, Thomas Mesereau and Sharon Appelbaum, were sanctioned by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo for improperly sharing confidential discovery materials from Masterson’s criminal rape case with the Church of Scientology.

These materials included sensitive information about the victims, such as addresses and license plate numbers. Scientology’s attorney, Vicki Podberesky, used this information to file complaints against the lead prosecutors, alleging misconduct — a claim the court found to be “demonstrably false.”

Judge Olmedo determined that Mesereau and Appelbaum violated court orders by providing these materials to the church, which was defending itself in a related civil lawsuit filed by Masterson’s accusers.

The judge emphasized that her directives throughout the trial prohibited the defense team from disseminating discovery to litigants in the parallel civil case. As a result, both attorneys were fined $950 each. Yahoo News

“In the legal proceedings involving Danny Masterson, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller, who prosecuted the case, reported several incidents of harassment. These included attempts to break into his home, being run off the road, having his car windows broken, and being surveilled. Such actions were part of a broader pattern of interference and harassment linked to the Church of Scientology during and after the criminal trials.

Additionally, LAPD detectives involved in the case reported being stalked, surveilled, and harassed. In one instance, the Church of Scientology’s head of security and their attorney met with the LAPD Chief of Police to accuse detectives and prosecutors of misconduct, alleging falsified witness testimony and withheld evidence. These actions reportedly impacted the case, with one detective expressing fear about testifying.”

It’s maddening and frustrating to watch brave individuals take on Scientology or its members in court without fully understanding the magnitude of what they are up against-not just the organization itself but also its vast and ruthless legal machine.

What people fail to realize is that Scientology doesn’t hide its strategies. Instead, it banks on your ignorance of its policies, which dictate how investigations into the organization, individual Scientologists, and lawsuits are handled. These policies are publicly accessible to anyone willing to look. Yet, far too often, lawyers, judges, police, district attorneys, and government agencies fail to grasp the language and tactics embedded in these policies. Worse still, they rarely take the time to consult experts who truly understand how Scientology exploits the system.

Here are just a few of Scientology’s directives on legal cases and strategies. The majority of their instructions on how to derail investigations, manipulate court proceedings, and obstruct justice is extensive.

However, if anyone in a position to take meaningful action against this criminal organization is interested, please feel free to contact Leah or me. These documents were provided to the FBI decades ago, yet they have failed to act.

Let us make this crystal clear: Scientology runs all its lawsuits from behind the scenes.

What does that mean? Let’s take Shawn Holley and Philip Kent Cohen, who defended Danny Masterson-a celebrity Scientologist and convicted serial rapist. Holley and Cohen weren’t acting alone. Behind the scenes, they had the full weight of Scientology’s resources supporting them. This included Scientology staff, its notorious lawyers like Kendrick Moxon (an unindicted co-conspirator in Scientology’s infiltration of the IRS and recently accused of trying to frame Leah Remini for a crime she had no involvement in), its intelligence arm—the Office of Special Affairs (OSA)—and its countless law firms on retainer to assist them in the background.

It was a battle of Goliath against David, with the DA and their staff left to face this overwhelming unknown force. LA Times

Unknown to the DA’s office, unknown to the judge, but not unknown to me, Leah, or the Masterson survivors who have endured the brunt of Scientology’s orchestrated campaigns. OSA, Scientology’s dirty tricks department, was, is and will continue to pull the strings with David Miscavige at the helm.

If someone accuses a Scientologist of illegal activity and reports them to law enforcement—assuming the report is made to an ethical and impartial police department, not one like the LAPD, where Chief Moore and Cory Palka have done Scientology’s dirty work—that individual, or even the agency, instantly becomes an enemy of the organization. Reporting a Scientologist is considered a “High Crime” under Scientology’s policies, and the person who reports them is targeted for destruction.

The same is true for any government agency.

Scientology will accuse government agencies, detectives, judges, lawyers defending victims, witnesses, and even victims themselves of malfeasance. A once-decorated detective with a spotless record will suddenly face an investigation, a judge with a stellar reputation will be hit with allegations from Scientology of religious bigotry, prejudice… and lawyers defending victims may abruptly find bar complaints filed against them. These tactics are all written in directives from Scientology’s OSA and policies of the “religion” of Scientology. These directives and policies are to be adhered to by scientology staff and civilian scientologists — all trained to lie to enforcement and under oath for the “greater good” of Scientology.

From that point forward, Scientology deploys its extensive resources to silence and discredit the accuser. No expense is spared, no resource unused.

This includes over 100 or more law firms on retainer across the country.

These firms and lawyers don’t simply provide legal representation; they actively work behind the scenes to harass, derail, and intimidate opposing parties. While most lawyers operate within ethical boundaries, Scientology’s lawyers are expected to do what others won’t do.

Another example of many, Scientology celebrity James Barbour of Phantom of The Opera Broadway fame, was found to have been engaged in illegal activities with minors. That minor went to law enforcement and scientology used its resources to hire Barbour a lawyer and used its contacts and resources at the DA’s office to get Barbour a relatively easy sentence. He served only 36 days. Scientology though their own investigation, found out that Barbour had a history of engaging in sexual activities with minors and never reported any of it. Scientology successfully harbored his criminal activities. Cult Education Institute.

There is a long list of criminal activities that Scientology has meticulously documented in their own files. As we’ve said before and will continue to say, if law enforcement were to raid Scientology today — just as they they did in 1977-they would uncover a trove of evidence detailing coverups and crimes committed by Scientologists and concealed by the organization itself. US Department of Justice Scathing Takedown of Scientology

Lawyers who take on Scientology or its members — whether representing former Scientologists , former staff or those who were never part of Scientology but are brave enough to report abuses by a Scientologist or the organization — are undeniably courageous, but many are also naive. Too often, they dismiss warnings from victims about the extreme lengths to which Scientology will go, both inside and outside the courtroom. They fail to grasp that Scientology’s tactics far surpass what is typical in ordinary litigation. Believing their knowledge of the law alone is enough, they underestimate Scientology’s unparalleled ability to manipulate the system—often with devastating consequences for their cases.

Judges, law enforcement, and government agencies who take on Scientology similarly underestimate the organization’s reach and tactics. Whether investigating, prosecuting, or overseeing cases involving Scientology or its members, they often fail to comprehend the full extent of Scientology’s ability to manipulate and intimidate. Scientology targets these entities with the same aggressive strategies it uses against individual adversaries, undermining proceedings through an orchestrated combination of legal maneuvers, overwhelming volumes of filings intended to exhaust court resources and delay justice, misinformation, targeted harassment and pressure.

Without a thorough understanding of Scientology’s policies and tactics, these institutions risk being blindsided, which can compromise justice and the protection of victims.

Scientology, the “church,” also demands that it’s civilian members use their influence to silence anyone scientology deems a threat.

The Church of Scientology has a history of encouraging its members to occupy influential positions to further its objectives and counteract criticism. This strategy includes placing members in various sectors, such as entertainment and politics, to normalize and promote the organization’s image.

Recently, Rebecca Minkoff joined The Real Housewives of New York City. This is not about Minkoff seeking personal celebrity status, but rather a coordinated effort by Scientology to present itself as harmless and normal — a religious philosophy that allows her to be both Jewish and a scientologist — lies told by us all when were scientologists.

I’m a Christian and I’m Also a Scientologist

Why Scientologists Lie — Its the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number of Dynamics

Why Do Scientolgists Lie? 

By associating with a widely recognized brand like Bravo, Scientology aims to infiltrate mainstream entertainment and shape public perception, positioning itself as a misunderstood organization rather than a high-control group.

Similarly, scammers Grant Cardone and his wife Elena have strategically aligned themselves with the Trump administration, not merely for personal gain but as part of Scientology’s documented objectives. Their actions, including high-profile fundraising and public endorsements, reflect the organization’s larger goal to embed itself within political and influential spaces. This is in direct alignment with Scientology’s written policies and long-term plans, which are actively being executed as designed.

Scientology Safe in US for 4 Years

These are deliberate moves by the Church of Scientology to normalize its image and expand its influence under the guise of individual success and personal affiliations.

Scientologists are encouraged to work at phone companies, travel agencies, investigative agencies that have nothing to do with scientology that gives them access to information, they wouldn’t normally have.

Entities such as CAA (Creative Artists Agency), which represents high-profile Scientologists like Tom Cruise, have reportedly been used to block projects critical of Scientology, destroy careers, and gain insider information. Cruise’s celebrity has been weaponized to influence court outcomes and generate favor for Scientologists, creating a veneer of legitimacy around the organization.

Scientology exploits these relationships and connections not only to defend itself but also to attack perceived enemies. By intertwining itself with powerful individuals and institutions, it ensures access to critical resources while maintaining a shield of influence and intimidation that discourages opposition.

Here’s the most critical point: Scientology’s lawyers are not all Scientologists, but they are retained under the explicit understanding that they must follow Scientology’s policies.

These policies include Fair Game tactics, directives created by L. Ron Hubbard for Scientology’s KGB-like department, the Office of Special Affairs (OSA). These tactics specifically target anyone perceived as standing in Scientology’s way, a plaintiff, a defendant, opposing counsel, judges, jurors, district attorneys, or anyone involved in a case.

Hubbard’s directives are considered immutable and are intended to be followed indefinitely. These policies are used to devise operations aimed at silencing or destroying anyone Scientology deems an enemy who are in violation of its internal laws.

And who is holding these lawyers accountable? No one. This system has operated unchecked for decades, emboldened by a lack of oversight. Thanks to figures like Fred T. Goldberg Jr., the IRS Commissioner from 1989 to 1992, and Margaret Milner Richardson, who finalized the agreement granting Scientology tax exemption, the organization has been allowed to act with impunity.

This tax exemption paved the way for Scientology and its front groups to create an environment of fear and avoid accountability.

Scientology doesn’t just play by different rules—it rewrites the game entirely. It exploits every loophole, manipulates the legal system, and employs underhanded strategies that no standard law textbook could prepare a lawyer for. By ignoring their clients’ lived experiences and underestimating Scientology’s ability to weaponize the legal system, these lawyers unwittingly handicap themselves, often to disastrous results in court.

A Note of Caution for Judges:

Judges presiding over cases involving Scientology or its members must remain vigilant and informed. Scientology’s legal tactics go far beyond standard courtroom strategies. The organization has a history of attempting to manipulate judicial proceedings, whether through overwhelming legal filings, subtle intimidation, or leveraging its vast resources and influence to create bias.

Judges must understand that Scientology views them, just like opposing counsel, as targets if they are perceived to stand in the organization’s way. Scientology’s policies, such as Fair Game, encourage actions designed to undermine and discredit anyone deemed an obstacle, including members of the judiciary.

To ensure a fair trial, judges must resist the temptation to treat Scientology like any other litigant. Familiarizing themselves with Scientology’s documented history of abusing the legal system is not just prudent—it is essential to uphold justice and protect the integrity of the court.

Despite Mike’s current health challenges and his tireless fight, we remain fully available to offer insights and support to anyone brave enough to take on the immense challenge of confronting Scientology. With access to all of Scientology’s policies and Mike’s unparalleled knowledge from his senior position within the organization, we provide a unique and invaluable understanding of their tactics and inner workings that few others can offer.

— Leah Remini & Mike Rinder

Partial scientology lawyers, Please feel free to add

1. Alan Kellman
2. Alan King Steinbrecher
3. Albert Kreischer Jr.
4. Andrew “Andy” Harris Wilson
5. Angel Lou Skulos Boulis
6. Anthony Michael Glassman
7. Anthony Patrick Bisceglie
8. Anthony “Tony” Joseph Oncidi
9. Ava Marie Chromoy Sandlin Paquette
10. Barbara Ann Reeves Neal
11. Bertram “Bert” Harris Fields
12. Bill Walsh
13. Bradley Scott Pauley
14. Brian Jude Pinkowski
15. Bruce David Abramson
16. C. Wally Pope (Wallace Pope)
17. Carlotta “Carla” Dorothy Miller
18. Charles Timothy Schultz
19. Christopher Robson Heekin
20. Craig Wilson
21. Daniel Reback
22. David Goroway
23. David Joseph Schindler
24. David Manning Chodos
25. Devora Leah Lindeman
26. Don Wager
27. Donald Christy Knapmeyer
28. Donald “Don” Delano Moss
29. Douglas Andrew Crowder
30. Douglas Jules Titus Jr.
31. Duane Conrad Stroh
32. E. Sam Alhadeff
33. Earle C. Cooley
34. Eliott Abelson
35. Eric David Goldner
36. Eric Lieberman
37. Erik H. Langeland
38. Eugene Carl Moore
39. F. Bert Deixler
40. G. Meade Emory
41. Gary Roy Trombley
42. Gary Soter
43. Gary Stephen Brown
44. George “Doug” Douglas Dillard
45. George “Skip” William Murgatroyd III
46. Gerald “Gerry” Lawrence Chaleff
47. Gerald McNally Jr.
48. Gerry Feffer
49. Helena M. Kempner Kobrin
50. Herman Brendel
51. Hiram Anthony Raldiris
52. Howard L. Weitzman
53. J. Eliot Abramson
54. James “Jim” Robertson Martin
55. James Joseph Manning Jr.
56. Jacqueline Grace Pelaez
57. Jean-Yves Le Borgne
58. Jeffrey K. Riffer
59. Joe Griebosky
60. Joel Bennett
61. Joel Kreiner
62. John A. Shorter Jr.
63. John Frederick “Fred” Sinclair
64. John G. Peterson
65. John “Jack” B. Venturi
66. John “Jack” Joseph Quinn Jr.
67. Jonathan B. Lafrance
68. Jonathan W. Lubell
69. Joseph “Joe” A. Gowan Jr.
70. Judy Fontana Julia Azrael
71. Karen L. Brown
72. Karen L. Brown
73. Kendrick “Rick” Moxon
74. Kevin John Darken
75. Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert
76. Kobrin & Moxon (Helena Kobrin, Kendrick Moxon, Ava Paquette)
77. Laura Lynn (Dizney) Vaughan
78. Laurel Allyson (Lister) David
79. Laurie Jo Neiger Bartilson
80. Lawrence “Larry” J. Karl
81. Lawrence “L. D.” David Sledge
82. Lawrence “Larry” Eric Heller
83. Lewis “Lew” Bass
84. Lisa Callif
85. Malcolm S. Babel
86. Marc Hedges Fanning
87. Marcello Mario diMauro
88. Margaret Mary (Morrow) Boland
89. Mark Ira Siegel
90. Mark Robert Weiner
91. Martha Ann Miller Pomroy
92. Martin Singer
93. Matthew Clinton Hines
94. Meldon Edises Levine
95. Michael B. Hannon
96. Michael C. Addison
97. Michael F. Darche
98. Michael Lee Hertzberg
99. Michael Lin Baum
100. Michael Ludwig
101. Michael P. Nussbaum
102. Michael Ross Woods
103. Michael Thomas Stoller
104. Merrill Vannier
105. Monique Edwige (Yingling) Feffer
106. Myron G. Finley
107. Nemecio Estevez Lopez Jr.
108. Nemecek Cole Law Firm
109. Nevin Alan Weiner
110. Norman Floyd Taylor
111. Norton Stanley Karno
112. Olivier Metzner
113. Patrick Maisonneuve
114. Peter Henry Aaron Wodinsky
115. Peter Hodkin
116. Philip Cohen
117. Roger Geller
118. Stuart Randolph
119. “Randy” Kretchmar
120. Raphael V. Lupo
121. Ray J. Butera
122. Rebecca Louise Hufford-Cohen
123. Rebecca Nell Kaufman
124. Rex Allyn (Alexander) Roten
125. Richard Aaron Jaffe
126. Richard Francis Griffin
127. Richard “Ross” Rosser Cole
128. Robert Alan Wiener
129. Robert “Bob” Paul Polli
130. Robert Ernest Johnson Jr.
131. Robert Francis Brennan
132. Roger Allen Larson
133. Samuel Charles Alhadeff
134. Samuel David Rosen
135. Seymour M. Wasserstrum
136. Sharon Appelbaum
137. Shawn Holley
138. Sherman David Lenske
139. Stephen Allan Lenske
140. Steven Lee Hayes
141. Steven Michael Burris
142. Tabitha C. Zimbert
143. Thomas Arthur Mesereau Jr.
144. Thomas Courtney Spring
145. Thomas Donald Heekin Jr.
146. Thomas Milton Small
147. Thomas “Tom” Robert Hogan
148. Timothy Bowles
149. Vicki Podberesky
150. Wallace Pope
151. William “Bill” C. Walsh
152. William “Bill” Thomas Drescher
153. William Douglas Katz
154. William Maxwell Hart
155. William “Willie” B. Wilson
156. William “Woody” Woodson Galloway
157. Willy Blumel

                                                                                                           ________________

     The Church of Scientology has a documented history of infiltrating government agencies and engaging in covert operations to protect its interests. Notable instances include:

     Operation Snow White (1970s): In the 1970s, Scientology initiated “Operation Snow White,” a large-scale effort to infiltrate and remove unfavorable records about the church and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, from government files. This operation involved infiltrating 136 government agencies, including the IRS and the Department of Justice, as well as foreign embassies and consulates. The FBI’s 1977 raids on Scientology offices uncovered extensive evidence of these activities, leading to the conviction of several high-ranking members, including Mary Sue Hubbard, L. Ron Hubbard’s wife.

     Wikipedia

     1. 1. Operation Freakout (1970s): Another covert operation, “Operation Freakout,” aimed to silence journalist Paulette Cooper, author of “The Scandal of Scientology.” The plan included framing her for bomb threats and other illegal activities to discredit her and halt her criticism of the church. Documents detailing this operation were discovered during the FBI raids in 1977.

           Wikipedia

           Legal Tactics and Courtroom Strategies: Beyond these operations, Scientology has been known to employ aggressive legal tactics to intimidate critics and influence legal proceedings. The church has a history of filing numerous lawsuits against individuals and organizations it perceives as threats, often aiming to overwhelm opponents with legal costs and complexities. This strategy, sometimes referred to as “Fair Game,” seeks to neutralize adversaries by any means necessary.

           Wikipedia

           These examples illustrate Scientology’s persistent efforts to infiltrate government entities and manipulate legal systems to safeguard its interests.

           Kendrick Moxon

        2. https://tonyortega.substack.com/p/what-in-the-world-is-scientology

           https://tonyortega.org/2024/04/08/scientology-said-leah-remini-inspired-his-crime-now-hes-talking/

           https://tonyortega.substack.com/p/scientologys-operatives-and-attorneys

           https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendrick_Moxon