Actress Leah Remini is suing the Church of Scientology over allegations she has suffered “psychological torture”, threats and harassment for a number of years.
The star, who rose to fame in reveals similar to Saved By The Bell and is finest recognized for The King Of Queens collection, is a former member of the church who joined as a toddler, however has since develop into one among its most distinguished public opponents.
The 53-year-old claims she has been the sufferer 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”, based on a lawsuit filed at Los Angeles Superior Court, reported by Sky News’ US companion community NBC News.
Remini, who left the motion in 2013, co-created and hosted an anti-Scientology documentary collection, Leah Remini: Scientology And The Aftermath, which aired from 2016 to 2019 and received two Emmy awards.
She is suing the church and chief David Miscavige, saying she doesn’t imagine she is the faith’s first alleged sufferer, “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 mentioned in an announcement.
The Church of Scientology in Los Angeles. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Sky News’ US companion community NBC News has contacted the church and a consultant for Miscavige, however they haven’t instantly responded to a request for remark.
Remini claims in her lawsuit that Miscavige and different defendants started assaults on her greater than 10 years in the past.
She alleges that present and former Scientologists have been enlisted to file defamatory video statements in opposition to her – together with that she “was abusive to her mother and daughter, and that she is a racist”, the lawsuit says.
‘Final goal of silencing me has not been achieved’
Scientology chief David Miscavige pictured on the opening ceremony of a Church of Scientology constructing in London in 2006
Remini mentioned she feared for her security and was compelled to rent bodyguards for the primary time in 2015, after studying personal investigators allegedly working for the church have been following her through the promotion of her e-book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood, in New York.
In 2018, the church organised a gathering with celeb Scientologists and drilled attendees on “how to attack Ms Remini’s credibility, based on lies, using talking points that Scientology wrote”, based on the star’s lawsuit.
Remini has additionally accused the church of enlisting a person with “a history of mental illness and a violent criminal record” to look at her at her house in Los Angeles in 2020, the lawsuit claims. It additionally says her household and mates have been subjected to the harassment.
She is searching for damages “for the enormous economic and psychological harm” that the church’s alleged assaults have precipitated, and says she hopes to discourage 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 mentioned.
Content Source: information.sky.com