U.S. News

Scientology Abuse Lawsuit Will Be Judged by Church Members—Not Court

‘WE WON’

Three ex-Scientologists who filed a human trafficking suit had previously signed arbitration agreements that a federal judge upheld.

Scientology building in Los Angeles
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

A federal judge has ruled that an arbitration panel made up of Scientology members—and not a government-run court—will hear a lawsuit filed by ex-followers who lodged human trafficking claims against the church. The Tampa Bay Times reports that the plaintiffs argued they could not get a fair hearing from devotees who consider them “suppressive persons” under church doctrine, but the judge sad the arbitration agreements they signed years ago are enforceable. “We won,” Scientology spokesperson Ben Shaw said. “This decision is another victory for the Church. The judge has rejected plaintiffs bringing false and scurrilous allegations against the Church in court.”

Read it at Tampa Bay Times

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