The FBI has launched a probe into Scientology, the faith that has gained notoriety from celebrities such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The FBI investigation has to do with human trafficking accusations leveled against Scientology. Stories of pushed confinement and slave labor have emerged from ex-Scientology members who escaped their captors. Post resource – FBI investigates Church of Scientology for human trafficking by Newsytype.com.
Using the desert as a scientology get away for work
Former Scientologists trying to quit were interviewed by agents in 2009 starting the FBI human trafficking investigation of Scientology. Those considered apostates would get confined to a Scientology compound east of LA in the California desert. This was where several had hazing occur while pushed labor for hardly any pay happened as well, in a story the St. Petersburg Times broke out 2 years ago. The New Yorker said on Feb. 7th the FBI investigation of Scientology was occurring. Screenwriter Paul Haggis revealed this. In 2009, the Church of Scientology lost Haggis. This was due not only to what the Times showed was human trafficking but also due to the Proposition 8 support that California had and was supported by Scientology.
Labor helped Tom Cruise get better
It was shown in the Times and New Yorker that there have been escapees out of the Scientology desert compound. They would be forced to return back there though. Women were pushed into abortions when getting pregnant as they were told not to have kids. The workers in the compound got paid $50 a week while previous Scientologists explained leader David Miscavige lived well on the church's money. Miscavige forced a worker to customize motorcycles for Cruise. Thousands of dollars is normally what is paid for something like this. Cruise also had an SUV customized and an airplane hangar renovated with forced Scientology labor.
Human trafficking with the scientology
Human trafficking was denied by the Church of Scientology meaning the FBI was denied. A spokesman called the New Yorker article a “rehash of unfounded accusations.” However, signs of human trafficking listed on the FBI website match the experiences shared by Scientology defectors. Some of those signs include individuals living and working in the exact same place who experience physical and emotional abuse, as well as control of their food, schedule, money, speech, ID and travel documents.
Articles cited
St. Petersburg Times
tampabay.com/news/scientology/article1150248.ece
New York Daily News
nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/02/07/2011-02-07_FBI_probing_allegations_of_human_trafficking_and_enslavement_in_scientology_repo.html
The New Yorker
newyorker.com/reporting/2011/02/14/110214fa_fact_wright
New York Post
nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/cruise_church_labor_probed_lNckRxqOTLp5LvQAe3iGFI
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