Editing Scientology controversies (section)

== Mistreatment of members ==

In 2007, a 25-year-old woman from [[Sydney]] was charged with murdering her father and sister and seriously injuring her mother. Her parents had prevented her from seeking the psychiatric treatment she needed because of their Scientology beliefs.<ref>{{cite news| last=Braithwaithe | first=David| title =Scientology cited in killings | work = The Sidney Morning Herald | date = 10 July 2007 | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/scientology-denied-daughter-help/2007/07/09/1183833431861.html?page=fullpage| access-date =31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130081155/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/scientology-denied-daughter-help/2007/07/09/1183833431861.html?page=fullpage |archive-date=30 November 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jul/10/australia.mainsection |author=Macmhon, Barbara |title=Accused family killer was 'denied treatment by Scientologist parents' |work=The Guardian |date=10 July 2007 | access-date =31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426171627/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jul/10/australia.mainsection |archive-date=26 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Debbie Cook, who ran the "spiritual Mecca" for seventeen years, came forward and accused the Church of repeated accounts of "screaming, slapping" and being "made to stand in a trash and water's poured over you" in efforts to confess her sins. This was all done in "[[The Hole (Scientology)|The Hole]]", located at Scientology's [[Gold base|International base]] in Hemet, California. She claims that she was taken there against her will and forced to stay for seven weeks. The Church states that she "voluntarily" participated in their program of "religious discipline".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/pr-crisis-scientology-abc-news-exclusive/story?id=15813613 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501030039/https://abcnews.go.com/US/pr-crisis-scientology-abc-news-exclusive/story?id=15813613#.T59R3HaJpJw |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |title=Another PR Crisis for Scientology |publisher=ABC Nightline |date=2012-02-29 |first1=Dan |last1=Harris |first2=Mary |last2=Marsh}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120508005509/http://abcnews.go.com/US/pr-crisis-scientology-abc-news-exclusive/story?id=15813613&page=2#.T6hu9XaJpJw (page2 of 3)] [https://web.archive.org/web/20120415111620/http://abcnews.go.com/US/pr-crisis-scientology-abc-news-exclusive/story?id=15813613&page=3#.T4quEnaJpJw (page3 of 3)]</ref>

''[[Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath]]'' is a 2016–2019 [[A&E (TV network)|A&E]] [[documentary film|documentary series]] that investigated abuses of the Church of Scientology by interviewing former members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aetv.com/shows/leah-remini-scientology-and-the-aftermath|title=Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath Full Episodes, Video & More – A&E|website=aetv.com|access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref>

===Views on homosexuality===
{{see also|Scientology and homosexuality}}

The Church of Scientology's perspectives on homosexuality and its treatment of [[LGBTQ people|LGBTQ]] members have received criticism from the public and former members. The Church's teachings are based on the writings of its founder, and his statements about homosexuality have led critics to assert that [[Scientology]] promotes [[homophobia]], and that it mistreats [[gay]] members.<ref name=Humiliated>{{Cite magazine |date=2018-09-25 |title=When I Came Out as Gay, the Church of Scientology Humiliated Me|magazine=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]] |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/a23025748/scientology-michelle-leclair-interview/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Martha |date=2022-09-22 |title=Those John Travolta rumors? How Scientology shut them down |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/09/22/those-john-travolta-rumors-how-scientology-shut-them-down/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |newspaper=[[Mercury News]]|location=San Jose, California}}</ref> Some critics have stated that the Church tried to [[Conversion therapy|change their gay attractions]].<ref name=FoundOut>{{Cite magazine |last=Power |first= Shannon |date=2023-09-26 |title=Ex-Scientologist reveals what happened when Church found out she was gay |url=https://www.newsweek.com/scientology-church-gay-miscavige-leah-remini-1829857|magazine=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |magazine=[[LGBTQ Nation]] |date=2016-03-25 |title=A grim glimpse into The Church of Scientology's jail for gay people |url=https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2016/03/a-grim-glimpse-into-the-church-of-scientologys-jail-for-gay-people/}}</ref>

===Death of Lisa McPherson===
{{Main|Death of Lisa McPherson|Introspection Rundown}}
[[File:Lisa McPherson raw scan.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Lisa McPherson]]

The most widely publicized death of one of the organization's members was that of 36-year-old [[Lisa McPherson]] while in the care of Scientologists at the Scientology-owned Fort Harrison Hotel, in [[Clearwater, Florida]], in 1995. McPherson, at the time, was displaying symptoms suggesting she was struggling with [[mental illness]]; in one case, she removed all of her clothes after being involved in a minor traffic accident, later remarking she had done so in hopes of obtaining counseling.<ref name="publiceye98">
{{cite interview|first=Bonnie|last=Portlano|interviewer=Kristin Jeannette-Meyers|work=CBS Public Eye|date=1998-01-07|title=Interview}}</ref> The Church, however, intervened to prevent McPherson from receiving psychiatric treatment and to keep her in Church custody. Records show that she was then placed in a Scientology program, the [[Introspection Rundown]], which was forced isolation used to handle a psychotic episode.<ref>{{cite web| first = Thomas C.| last = Tobin| title = Scientologists decry toll of criminal case| url = http://www.sptimes.com/News/030900/TampaBay/Scientologists_decry_.shtml| work = [[St. Petersburg Times]]| date = 2000-03-09| access-date = 2007-09-17| archive-date = December 19, 2000| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20001219070900/http://www.sptimes.com/News/030900/TampaBay/Scientologists_decry_.shtml| url-status = live}}</ref> Weeks later, she was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. The [[autopsy]] identified multiple [[hematoma]]s (bruises), an abrasion on the nose, and [[lesions]] that were consistent with "insect/animal bites".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/CoS/autopsy.html |title=Web site: Lisa McPherson: Coroner's Report transcript |publisher=Shipbrook.com |date=2012-05-09 |access-date=2012-09-05 |archive-date=March 13, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010313001707/http://www.shipbrook.com/jeff/CoS/autopsy.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> An [[autopsy]] showed that she had died of a [[pulmonary embolism]].

Florida authorities filed criminal charges against the Church of Scientology, who denied any responsibility for McPherson's death and vigorously contested the charges. The prosecuting attorneys ultimately dropped the criminal case. After four years, a $100 million civil lawsuit filed by Lisa McPherson's family was settled in 2004. The suit resulted in an injunction against the distribution of a film critical of Scientology, ''[[The Profit (film)|The Profit]]'', which the Church claimed was meant to influence the jury. The terms of the settlement were sealed by the court.<ref>{{cite web| first = Robert| last = Farley| title = Scientologists settle death suit| url = http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/29/Tampabay/Scientologists_settle.shtml| work = St. Petersburg Times| date = 2004-05-29| access-date = 2007-09-17| archive-date = March 20, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180320120926/http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/29/Tampabay/Scientologists_settle.shtml| url-status = live}}</ref>

===Death of Elli Perkins===
{{Main|Death of Elli Perkins}}
Another crime that received substantial news coverage involved the death of Elli Perkins. This included an installment on the [[CBS]] [[investigative journalism|investigative news]] program ''[[48 Hours (TV series)|48 Hours]]''.<ref name="48hrs">{{cite news | last = Staff | title = Scientology – A Question of Faith: Did A Mother's Faith Contribute To Her Murder? | work = [[48 Hours (TV series)|48 Hours]] | pages = 1–9 | publisher = [[CBS News]] | date = 2006-10-28 | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientology-a-question-of-faith/ | access-date = 2007-03-23 | archive-date = March 31, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070331104642/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/25/48hours/main2124568.shtml | url-status = live}}</ref>

Perkins was a mother of two, a [[glass art|professional glass artist]], and a [[Scientology|Scientologist]] who lived in Western [[New York (state)|New York]]. She was a [[auditing (Scientology)|senior auditor]] at the [[Church of Scientology]] in [[Buffalo, New York]]. When her then 24-year-old son Jeremy began to show strange and disturbing behavior, Elli did not seek out psychiatric care but used treatment in [[Scientology and psychiatry|accordance with Scientology]]. [[Scientologists]] believe that psychiatry "doesn't work."

First, the family sent Jeremy to Scientology's [[Sea Org]] in California. He returned home some months later because Sea Org had not helped. Found trespassing outside the [[University at Buffalo]] on August 14, 2001, Jeremy was arrested and remanded to a local hospital after a court-ordered psychiatric exam confirmed that he had a diagnosis of schizophrenia.<ref name="nypost">{{cite news | last = Stasi | first = Linda |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/item_upcaTdSlZAeJf4ly7sah1N |title = Scientology Schizo: His Mom's Religion Said, No Meds. That Edict May Have Cost Her Life| work = [[New York Post]] | date = October 27, 2006}}</ref>

Elli Perkins later convinced the court to release her son into her custody so she could seek alternatives to psychiatry. She also refused any treatment with anti-psychotic medications. Defense attorney John Nuchereno said that Jeremy's condition declined over the summer of 2002. He was no longer able to work in the family business. The Church of Scientology ceased efforts to cure Jeremy and classified him as a Type III "[[potential trouble source]]" (psychotic).

In the fall of 2002, the family consulted Dr. Conrad Maulfair, an [[osteopathic medicine in the United States|osteopathic physician]] and Scientologist.<ref name="nypost" /> Maulfair concluded that Jeremy needed to be purged of certain chemical toxins in his body. Maulfair said he needed to be "energized" through vitamin therapy.

Jeremy became suspicious of his mother; he thought the vitamins were poisoning him. In February 2003, Elli took Jeremy to see Albert Brown, a self-taught "natural healer". Elli planned to send Jeremy to live with Brown for treatment. He was to leave for Brown's on March 13, 2003, but days beforehand began to act more aggressively. On the 13th, after a shower he retrieved a steak knife and tried to slit his wrists. Unsuccessful, Jeremy found his mother in the kitchen and attacked her as she spoke to a friend on the phone. [[Autopsy]] reports showed that Elli Perkins was stabbed 77 times.<ref name="wivb">{{cite news | first = Marie | last = Rice | title = Amherst Man Accused of Stabbing Mother to Death, Pleads Not Guilty | work = [[WIVB|WIVB TV]] | date = 4 June 2003 | url = https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/JeremyPerkins/Articles/wivb.com-2003-06-04.html | access-date = 2007-03-23 | archive-date = September 6, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190906023812/http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/JeremyPerkins/Articles/wivb.com-2003-06-04.html | url-status = live}}</ref>

Jeremy was charged with second degree murder but found not responsible by reason of mental disease. On January 29, 2004, after NY State Office of Mental Health exams, he was assessed "Dangerously Mentally Ill" and committed to a secure facility. Jeremy is on [[psychotropic medications]], which court psychiatrists state have not cured him, but have stabilized his condition.

In March 2006, an advertisement in ''[[LA Weekly]]'' blamed the Church of Scientology for Perkins' violent death.<ref name="msnbcad">{{cite news | last = Walls | first = Jeannette | title = Scientology foes blast Cruise in ad | work = Today.com | publisher = [[NBC]] | date = March 29, 2006 | url = https://www.today.com/popculture/scientology-foes-blast-cruise-ad-wbna11878503 | access-date = 2007-03-23 | archive-date = March 8, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308202711/https://www.today.com/popculture/scientology-foes-blast-cruise-ad-wbna11878503 | url-status = live}}</ref> The ''[[48 Hours (TV series)|48 Hours]]'' segment on Perkins' death aired on October 28, 2006.<ref name="publiceye06">{{cite news | last = Montopoli | first = Brian | title = '48 Hours' Questions Role Of Scientology In Murder, Scientologists Question CBS Ethics | work = PublicEye | publisher = [[CBS]] | date = November 2, 2006 | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2006/11/02/publiceye/entry2144647.shtml | access-date = 2007-03-23 | archive-date = April 10, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080410063538/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2006/11/02/publiceye/entry2144647.shtml | url-status = live}}</ref> Afterward, CBS reported they had received complaints from Scientologists.

===Death of Noah Lottick===
Noah Lottick was an American student of [[Russia|Russian studies]] who died by suicide on May 11, 1990, by jumping from a 10th-floor hotel window, clutching his only remaining money in his hands.<ref name="Lottick Time" /> After his death, a controversy arose revolving around his parents' concern over his membership in the [[Church of Scientology]].

Noah Lottick had taken Scientology courses, for which he paid {{Currency|5000}}.<ref name="Lottick Time">[[Richard Behar]], "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070220082505/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972865,00.html Scientology: The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power]", ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', May 6, 1991, see article: [[The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power]]</ref><ref name="lottick" /> Lottick's friends and family remarked that after taking these courses he began to act strangely. They stated to ''Time'' magazine that he told them that his Scientologist teachers were [[telepathy|telepathic]], and that his father's [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] was purely [[psychosomatic]].<ref name="Lottick Time" /> His parents said that he visited their home five days before his death, claiming they were spreading "false rumors" about him.<ref name="Lottick Time" />

Lottick's [[suicide]] was profiled in a ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' cover story that was highly critical of Scientology, "[[The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power]]", which received the [[Gerald Loeb Award]],<ref name="Lottick Time" /><ref name="dismissed" /> and later appeared in ''[[Reader's Digest]]''.<ref name="Lottick Reader's Digest">{{cite news |last1=Behar |first1=Richard |last2=Burton|first2=Thomas M. |title= A Dangerous Cult Goes Mainstream |work= [[Reader's Digest]] |date= October 1991 |pages=87–92 |url=http://www.skeptictank.org/hs/dancult.htm |type=reprint |via=skeptictank.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608084455/http://www.skeptictank.org/hs/dancult.htm |archive-date=June 8, 2011}}</ref>

Lottick's father, Dr. [[Edward Lottick]], stated that his initial impression of Scientology was that it was similar to [[Dale Carnegie]]'s techniques. However, after his son's death, his opinion was that the organization is a "school for [[psychopath]]s".<ref name="Lottick Time" /> He blamed Scientology for his son's death, although no direct connection was determined. After Dr. Lottick's remarks were published in the media, the Church of Scientology haggled with him over {{Currency|3000}} that Noah had allegedly paid to the Church and not utilized for services.<ref name="Lottick Time" /> The Church claimed Lottick had intended this to be a donation.

The [[Church of Scientology]] sued [[Richard Behar]] and ''Time'' magazine for $416 million. Dr. and Mrs. Lottick submitted [[affidavit]]s affirming "the accuracy of each statement in the article", and stating that Dr. Lottick had "concluded that Scientology therapies were manipulations". They said that no Scientology staff members attended the funeral of their son.<ref name="lottick">[http://www.courttv.com/archive/legaldocs/cyberlaw/scientology1.html ''Church of Scientology v. Time and Richard Behar''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107074250/http://www.courttv.com/archive/legaldocs/cyberlaw/scientology1.html |date=November 7, 2007 }}, 92 Civ. 3024 (PKL), Opinion and Order, Court TV library Web site., retrieved 1 October 2006.</ref> All counts against Behar and ''Time'' were later dismissed.<ref name="dismissed">[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1996_July_16/ai_18489022 "Judge Dismisses Church of Scientology's $416 Million Lawsuit Against Time Magazine"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324093216/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1996_July_16/ai_18489022 |date=2005-03-24 }}, [[Business Wire]], July 16, 1996.</ref> Lottick's father cited his son's suicide as his motivation for researching [[cult]]s, in his article describing a survey of physicians that he presented to the Pennsylvania State Medical Society.<ref name="Lottick PSMS Survey">[http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/lottick_edward_physician_experience.htm Survey Reveals Physicians' Experience with Cults] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014957/http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/lottick_edward_physician_experience.htm |date=September 30, 2007 }}, Dr. Edward Lottick, ''[[Cultic Studies Review|Cult Observer]]'', Volume 10, Number 3, 1993.</ref>

The Church of Scientology issued a press release denying any responsibility for Lottick's suicide.<ref name="Lottick Petersburg">{{cite news |first=Lucy |last=Morgan |title=Scientology got blame for French suicide |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/26196184.html?dids=26196184:26196184&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109222226/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/26196184.html?dids=26196184:26196184&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT |archive-date=November 9, 2007 |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=February 8, 1998}}</ref> Spokesperson [[Mike Rinder]] was quoted in the ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'' as saying that Lottick had an argument with his parents four days before his death.<ref name="Lottick Petersburg" /> Rinder stated, "I think Ed Lottick should look in the mirror ... I think Ed Lottick made his son's life intolerable."<ref name="Lottick Petersburg" />

===Brainwashing===

The Church of Scientology is frequently accused by critics of employing [[brainwashing]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Friedman |first=Roger |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351426,00.html |title=Fox New: Actor Jason Beghe: Scientology Is 'Brainwashing' by Roger Friedman, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |publisher=Foxnews.com |access-date=2012-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101202721/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351426,00.html |archive-date=2008-11-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

One alleged example of the Church's possible brainwashing tactics is the [[Rehabilitation Project Force]], to which church staff are assigned to work off alleged wrongdoings under conditions that many critics characterize as degrading. Some of these allegations are presented in Stephen Kent's ''Brainwashing in Scientology's Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF)''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brainwashing in Scientology's Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF) |first=Stephen A. |last=Kent |author-link=Stephen A. Kent |date=September 13, 2000 |orig-date=November 7, 1997 |url=https://www.hamburg.de/contentblob/109286/412b6fd56956a72b3b19eca2ec65beba/data/brainwashing.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825022035/https://www.hamburg.de/contentblob/109286/412b6fd56956a72b3b19eca2ec65beba/data/brainwashing.pdf |archive-date=August 25, 2017 |website=[[Government of Hamburg]]}}</ref>

L. Ron Hubbard is believed to have authored ''[[Brain-Washing (book)|The Brainwashing Manual]]''.{{r|corydon|p=102ff}}{{r|andersonreport|p=84}}

====The Anderson Report====
The final results of the [[Anderson Report]] in 1965 declared:

{{blockquote |text=The Board is not concerned to find that the scientology techniques are brainwashing techniques as practiced, so it is understood, in some communist-controlled countries. Scientology techniques are, nevertheless, a kind of brainwashing...The astonishing feature of Scientology is that its techniques and propagation resemble very closely those set out in a book entitled ''Brain-washing'', advertised and sold by the [[Hubbard Association of Scientologists International|HASI]].<ref name="andersonreport"/>}}

===Disconnection===
{{Main|Disconnection (Scientology)}}
The Church of Scientology has been criticized for their practice of "[[disconnection (Scientology)|disconnection]]" in which Scientologists are directed to sever all contact with family members or friends who criticize the faith. Critics including ex-members and relatives of existing members say that this practice has divided many families.<ref>{{cite news|author=Sarah Collerton |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/12/2844150.htm?section=justin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315164043/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/12/2844150.htm?section=justin |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 15, 2010 |title=Scientology insider's nightmare childhood |work=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | date=12 March 2010 |access-date=2012-09-05}}</ref> The disconnection policy is considered by critics to be further evidence that the Church is a cult. By making its members entirely dependent upon a social network entirely within the organization, critics assert that Scientologists are kept from exposure to critical perspectives on the Church and are put in a situation that makes it extremely difficult for members to leave the Church, since [[apostates]] will be shunned by the Church and have already been cut off from family and friends.<ref>{{cite web | first = Mark | last = Sommer | title = Outside critics are unacceptable | url = https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/JeremyPerkins/Articles/buffalo-news-2005-02-02.html | work = [[Buffalo News]] | date = 2005-02-02 | access-date = 2008-12-07 | archive-date = August 20, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190820083634/http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/JeremyPerkins/Articles/buffalo-news-2005-02-02.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="unperson"/>

The Church of Scientology acknowledges that its members are strongly discouraged from associating with "enemies of Scientology", and likens the disconnection policy to the practice of shunning in religions such as the [[Amish]]. However, there is a consensus of religious scholars who oppose Scientology's practice:
"I just think it would be better for all concerned if they just let them go ahead and get out and everyone goes their own way, and not make such a big deal of it, the policy hurts everybody." [[J. Gordon Melton]], Institute for the Study of American Religion, Santa Barbara, California.<ref name="unperson">{{cite news|author=Robert Farley |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml |title=The unperson |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=2006-06-24 |pages=1A, 14A |access-date=2006-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604102718/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml |archive-date=2011-06-04 }}</ref>

"It has to do with feeling threatened because you're not that big. You do everything you can to keep unity in the group." F.K. Flinn, [[Washington University in St. Louis]].<ref name="unperson" />

"Some people I've talked to, they just wanted to go on with their lives and they wanted to be in touch with their daughter or son or parent. The shunning was just painful. And I don't know what it was accomplishing. And the very terms they use are scary, aren't they?" Newton Maloney, [[Fuller Theological Seminary]], Pasadena, California.<ref name="unperson" />

===Use of donations and preferential treatment of Scientologist celebrities===
[[Andre Tabayoyon]], a former Scientologist and [[Sea Org]] staffer, testified in a 1994 affidavit that money from not-for-profit Scientology organizations and labor from those organizations (including the [[Rehabilitation Project Force]]) had gone to provide special facilities for Scientology celebrities, which were not available to other Scientologists:<blockquote>A Sea Org staffer...was taken along to do personal cooking for [[Tom Cruise]] and [[David Miscavige|{{interpolation|David}} Miscavige]] at the expense of Scientology not for profit religious organizations. This left only 3 cooks at [[Gold Base|Gold {{interpolation|Base}}]] to cook for 800 people three times a day... apartment cottages were built for the use of [[John Travolta]], [[Kirstie Alley]], [[Edgar Winter]], [[Priscilla Presley]], and other Scientology celebrities who are carefully prevented from finding out the real truth about the Scientology organization ... Miscavige decided to redo the meadow in beautiful flowers; Tens of thousands of dollars were spent on the project so that {{interpolation|Tom}} Cruise and [[Nicole Kidman|{{interpolation|Nicole}} Kidman]] could romp there. However, Miscavige inspected the project and didn't like it. So the whole meadow was plowed up, destroyed, replowed and sown with plain grass.<ref>Tabayoyon, Andre. 1994. 'Declaration of Andre Tabayoyon.' In ''Church of Scientology International v. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz''. United States District Court, Central District of California. Case No. CV 91 6426 HLH (Tx), (4 April): 64 pp</ref></blockquote>Tabayoyon's account of the planting of the meadow was supported by another former Scientologist, Maureen Bolstad, who said that a couple of dozen Scientologists including herself were put to work on a rainy night through dawn on the project. "We were told that we needed to plant a field and that it was to help Tom impress Nicole... but for some mysterious reason it wasn't considered acceptable by Mr. Miscavige. So the project was rejected and they redid it".<ref>{{cite news |author = Hoffman, Claire |author2=Christensen, Kim |url = http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-scientology18dec18,0,7000009,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060919162157/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-scientology18dec18,0,7000009,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2006-09-19 |title = Tom Cruise and Scientology |work = Los Angeles Times |date = 2005-12-18 |access-date = 2006-11-14}}</ref>