The actress and outspoken critic of the Church of Scientology points to a 'series of retaliatory activities' against people and groups deemed an 'enemy' of the organization.
The complaint names church chairman David Miscavige and the Religious Technology Center, which allegedly manages policing operations and enforces punitive measures. Remini seeks unspecified damages and a court order requiring the group and any entity it controls or funds to “cease and desist its harassment, defamation, and other unlawful conduct.
“With this lawsuit, I hope to protect my rights as afforded by the Constitution of the United States to speak the truth and report the facts about Scientology,” Remini added. “I feel strongly that the banner of religious freedom does not give anyone license to intimidate, harass, and abuse those who exercise their First Amendment rights.”
The suit details internal church policies, operations and units — including the Office of Special Affairs, which allegedly handles punitive measures against people and groups critical of the church — that were established by Founder L. Ron Hubbard, according to the complaint. Under the church’s rules, directives originating from Hubbard cannot be changed, the suit says.
The church’s harassment of Remini was allegedly led by OSA and meant to “totally restrain and muzzle” her through a pattern of defamation, stalking and abuse. She says anyone in her orbit — including family, friends, business partners, advertisers, potential employers and staff — was similarly targeted.
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