Leah Remini sues Church of Scientology and leader David Miscavige for alleged ‘psychological torture’ and harassment
Actress Leah Remini is suing the Church of Scientology over allegations she has suffered “psychological torture”, threats and harassment for several years.
The star, who rose to fame in shows such as Saved By The Bell and is best known for The King Of Queens series, is a former member of the church who joined as a child, but has since become one of its most prominent public opponents.
The 53-year-old claims she has been the victim of “intentional malicious and fraudulent rumours via hundreds of Scientology-controlled and co-ordinated social media accounts that exist solely to intimidate and spread misinformation”, according to a lawsuit filed at Los Angeles Superior Court, reported by Sky News’ US partner network NBC News.
Remini, who left the movement in 2013, co-created and hosted an anti-Scientology documentary series, Leah Remini: Scientology And The Aftermath, which aired from 2016 to 2019 and won two Emmy awards.
She is suing the church and leader David Miscavige, saying she does not believe she is the religion’s first alleged victim, “but I intend to be the last”.
“For 17 years, Scientology and David Miscavige have subjected me to what I believe to be psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, significantly impacting my life and career,” the star said in a statement.
The Church of Scientology in Los Angeles. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Sky News’ US partner network NBC News has contacted the church and a representative for Miscavige, but they have not immediately responded to a request for comment.
Remini claims in her lawsuit that Miscavige and other defendants began attacks on her more than 10 years ago.
She alleges that current and former Scientologists were enlisted to record defamatory video statements against her – including that she “was abusive to her mother and daughter, and that she is a racist”, the lawsuit says.
‘Final objective of silencing me has not been achieved’
Scientology leader David Miscavige pictured at the opening ceremony of a Church of Scientology building in London in 2006
Remini said she feared for her safety and was forced to hire bodyguards for the first time in 2015, after learning private investigators allegedly working for the church were following her during the promotion of her book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood, in New York.
In 2018, the church organised a meeting with celebrity Scientologists and drilled attendees on “how to attack Ms Remini’s credibility, based on lies, using talking points that Scientology wrote”, according to the star’s lawsuit.
Remini has also accused the church of enlisting a man with “a history of mental illness and a violent criminal record” to watch her at her home in Los Angeles in 2020, the lawsuit claims. It also says her family and friends have been subjected to the harassment.
She is seeking damages “for the enormous economic and psychological harm” that the church’s alleged attacks have caused, and says she hopes to deter the church from “continuing their unlawful campaign of harassment and intimidation”.
“While advocating for victims of Scientology has significantly impacted my life and career, Scientology’s final objective of silencing me has not been achieved,” the actress said.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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