Office of Special Affairs

Voice Readers Raise Thousands For Couple That Refused to Spy for Scientology

We've always been suckers for the final scene of It's a Wonderful Life. No matter how many times we see it, we tear up at the sight of George Bailey's friends coming to his aid in his time of need, proving to him that he really is the richest man in town. Over the last couple of days, we watched so ... More >>

The Voice Reads Maureen Orth's Story about Scientology in Vanity Fair

See also our Voice Exclusive: Paul Haggis reacts to Scientology's attack on Nazanin Boniadi We managed to find a copy of the new Vanity Fair today, and we've read Maureen Orth's story, "What Katie Didn't Know," about Tom Cruise and his Scientology-approved search for a new wife. As advertised, the ... More >>

VOICE EXCLUSIVE -- VH1'S Mimi Faust On Scientology: "At 13, They Told Me I Was a Freeloader"

Oluremi "Mimi" Faust is one of the stars of VH1's popular show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, which runs on Monday nights. A week ago, Mimi stunned the show's largely African-American audience when she revealed that she had been abandoned at 13 by her mother, who was a Scientologist. With the help of ou ... More >>

Mimi Faust's Mother, Olaiya Odufunke: Her Life in Scientology's Secret Service

Monday night, Mimi Faust revealed on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta that she had been abandoned at 13 by a mother who chose Scientology over her own children. By Tuesday morning, we had identified Mimi's mother, Olaiya Odufunke, who died in 2003. And now, we have a photograph of Olaiya (on the left, ... More >>

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise's Split Becomes an Advertisement (Also, Guide to Our Scientology Archives!)

Southampton, England-based P&O Cruises put this advertisement in a newspaper somewhere, and it was naturally posted to the web. We can't decide, however, if P&O understood just how brilliant its advertisement is, as it not only riffs on Tom Cruise's name, but it also recalls one of Scientology's b ... More >>

Scientology Reacts to TomKat Divorce from Nixon-Era Playbook

On Sunday, we talked to former Scientology executive Marty Rathbun and agreed with his predictions for how the Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes divorce would go. The next day, the former couple announced that they had reached a settlement. So how did we do? Prediction 1: Katie would get sole custody of Suri ... More >>

10,000 Scientologists Got This E-Mail Today About "Disconnection," their Church President, and a Mysterious Death

This morning, more than 10,000 Scientologists found an e-mail from Karen de la Carriere in their inboxes, written in jargon that they will understand, and informing them of the controversy surrounding the death of her son Alexander Jentzsch. As we reported first on Thursday night, de la Carriere le ... More >>

SCIENTOLOGY CRUMBLING: An Entire Church Mission Defects as David Miscavige Faces Leadership Crisis

For several years, we've been reporting about a crisis in Scientology as key members of the church -- including some of its highest-ranking former executives -- have left the organization and spoken out about its abuses. One by one, longtime, loyal Scientologists have announced that they are fed up ... More >>

SCIENTOLOGY PRESIDENT'S SON DIES; DEATH OF ALEXANDER JENTZSCH KEPT FROM MOTHER, AN EX-MEMBER

I just received this anguished e-mail from Karen de la Carriere, formerly a member of the Church of Scientology who studied directly under L. Ron Hubbard and who was at one time married to the current (and disappeared) president of the Church of Scientology International, Heber Jentzsch... My son i ... More >>

Ursula Caberta on Scientology: "You Have to Be Always Watching Them"

This week, a 90-minute documentary about Scientology's intelligence-gathering wing, the Office of Special Affairs, aired on the French and German cultural channel ARTE. Titled "Office of Special Affairs: Der Scientology-Geheimdienst" (Scientology's Secret Service), it included interviews with seve ... More >>

Scientology Admits Connection to Slimy Anonymous Attack Websites

We've pointed out in the past that Karin Pouw, the Church of Scientology's spokeswoman, appears to be struggling, having been thrust into the role of chief mouthpiece since Tommy Davis vanished sometime last year. But her latest gaffe is more than simply an embarrassing moment for her and the churc ... More >>

Mike Rinder on "The Hole," Indoctrination, Confessions, and His Ultimate Escape

For years, Mike Rinder was the Church of Scientology's chief spokesman and executive director of the Office of Special Affairs, its intelligence wing. In 2007, his defection was among the most surprising in an exodus of high-ranking officials from the church. Since then, he's given several interview ... More >>

FBI Investigation of Scientology: Already Over Before We Even Heard of It

In February 2011, the New Yorker published Lawrence Wright's superb 24,000-word piece about director Paul Haggis and the Church of Scientology, "The Apostate." One of the most interesting things in the story was a revelation that made news all on its own: Wright reported that the FBI was investiga ... More >>

Nightline's Scientology "Exclusive": What was Exclusive About It, Exactly?

I had a strange and powerful case of déjà vu last night while watching Nightline's interview with Debbie Cook as she talked about being held in "the Hole" at Scientology's international base in California, where executives who fall out of favor with church leader David Miscavige are sent to rot in ... More >>

Scientology Sues Debbie Cook Over Her New Year's Eve E-Mail

Monday evening, the Tampa Bay Times reported that the Church of Scientology filed a lawsuit Friday in San Antonio against Debbie Cook and her husband Wayne Baumgarten. The lawsuit, which accuses Cook of violating the terms of a non-disclosure agreement when she dared to criticize the leadership of h ... More >>

Scientology vs Marty Rathbun: An Unfair Fight?

Last summer, we brought you extensive coverage of Scientology's bizarre siege of a South Texas home. A goon squad calling itself the "Squirrel Busters" claimed to be a documentary crew making a film about former high-ranking church executive Marty Rathbun. The intimidation squad even managed to get ... More >>

Scientology Shoop of the Year -- The Vote Is In!

We're continuing our year-end celebrations here at the (newly refurbished and upgraded) underground bunker. Today, we have the voting results for best Photoshopped image as chosen by you, our fellow Scientology watchers. The talented Photoshoppers over at WhyWeProtest.net constantly turn out clever ... More >>

Tom Cruise and Baby Suri Embarrassed? This is Scientology, So Someone Has To Pay

Credit: Vanity FairSuri Cruise, with her Scientologist parents​In recent weeks here at the Voice, we've described the Church of Scientology's programs aimed at investigating perceived enemies, who have included former high-ranking Scientology executives, a man trying to bring to market a clean ... More >>

Mark Ebner on Scientology and South Park: Rathbun is Definitely Leaking Authentic "Intel"

Ebner​As we continue to investigate Scientology's retaliation campaign against South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and their friends and employees, we remembered that an old colleague of ours, journalist Mark Ebner, worked with the animator duo for their infamous 2005 episode "Trapp ... More >>

Scientology Responds in Typical Fashion to South Park Investigation Documents

Karin Pouw loves the word "apostate"​As we've been reporting the last couple of days, a man who was once the second-highest ranking executive in Scientology, Marty Rathbun, has made public several documents showing that in 2006, the church attempted to dig up dirt on South Park creators Trey P ... More >>

Scientology Hates Clean Ice, Part 2: Another Target, and the Web as Weapon

Checked your cubes for bacteria lately?​On Wednesday, we told you about a Scientology "Fair Game" operation that seems beyond the pale: the church, known for its vindictive treatment of perceived enemies, is accused of harassing a business to keep it from bringing to market a potentially life- ... More >>

Scientology Hates Clean Ice: The "Fair Game" Operation That Should Turn Your Stomach

Xenu hates sterile cubes, for some reason​One of the first things people ask me when they hear that I cover Scientology on a regular basis is whether I've been targeted for harassment by the church. Despite some evidence that the church does intend to "handle" me, I've been left alone for th ... More >>

Scientology Internal Documents Leaked in SF? We Ask the Experts

​We've been watching a developing story in San Francisco, where Lauren Smiley at our sister paper, SF Weekly, has been covering an interesting defection from the Church of Scientology's "org" there. Chanology SF, the very active Anonymous chapter in that city, was celebrating the apparent fac ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 5: Joe Childs and Tom Tobin

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

Scientology Has Marty Rathbun Arrested (UPDATED: CHARGES DROPPED)

Update: After the jump, more detail on Rathbun's arrest from the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. AND NOW, CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED. SEE BELOW. This story was originally posted on Saturday, Sept. 17. Well, it looks like we were premature to say that the siege in South Texas had ended. Apparently, i ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 6: Anonymous

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

Scientology Oz-fest: Commenters of the Week!

This kangaroo is volunteering its time and no contract is implied​Every Saturday, we say "what a week." But this time -- What a week! Right? With Scientology news breaking Down Under, and the countdown getting to single digits, and wacky stuff leaking in the UK -- the underground bunker was ri ... More >>

Scientology Dodges a Bullet in Australia: Church Told to Pay Workers, Says "We'll Get Right On That"

​Scientology watchers in Australia are still absorbing a stunning case of bait-and-switch Down Under. Earlier this week, a "draft" report by that country's "Fair Work Ombudsman" was leaked which seemed to indicate that Scientology was on the verge of a world of hurt: after interviewing eight ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 7: Mark Bunker

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

Birmingham in the House! Another Jaw-Dropping Scientology Video

Anonymous has found another nugget of pure gold. Yesterday, a remarkable song and set of photos were leaked to the Anonymous website WhyWeProtest.net that were apparently from the Scientology organization in Birmingham, England. Now, Anonymous has put together the photos and the song in this quit ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 8: Mike Rinder

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

Marty Rathbun, Ex-Scientology Exec, Back from Germany: "The U.S. Media Has No Balls"

This TV image couldn't have gone down well at Gold Base​The siege in South Texas is apparently finally over. Marty Rathbun has returned from his trip to Germany, and he tells me that only one member of the Squirrel Busters goon squad that was previously planted outside his house -- a former co ... More >>

Scientology Schweinehund: Commenters of the Week!

"Rathbun? I see nothing!"​We were feeling pretty whiplashed this week here at the underground bunker where we keep an eye on all things Scientology related -- on the one hand, our big countdown was really heating up, but we also needed to keep an eye on the big news breaking out in Germany, wh ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 10: Lisa McPherson

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

A Scientology Countdown Announcement: Before We Start the Top Ten, a Programming Note

Who's number one?​Tomorrow morning, we begin to reveal the final ten in our big countdown, "The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology." Today, however, we wanted to provide a programming note and announce some addenda. As we predicted from the beginning, our readers have been vocal about their ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 11: Nick Xenophon

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

First Video from Germany: Ex-Scientology Exec Marty Rathbun On Meeting with Ursula Caberta

Scientology watchers around the world are watching keenly for any news out of Germany as today Marty Rathbun made his first public remarks there in the presence of Ursula Caberta. Quick background: Rathbun was once the second-most powerful executive in Scientology. He left the church in 2004 and ... More >>

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology, No. 12: Tommy Davis

​On August 5, we started a countdown that will give credit -- or blame -- to the people who have contributed most to the sad current state of Scientology. From its greatest expansion in the 1980s, the church is a shell of what it once was and is mired in countless controversies around the worl ... More >>

Scientology Flameout: Commenters of the Week!

Marcotai conquers entheta!​We're sitting here in the underground bunker, looking back on what was another amazing week of Scientology watching. More and more tips are coming in, things are breaking overseas, and the cats are mewing for their breakfast. We're on sensory overload here, but let's ... More >>

Ex-Scientology Executive Marty Rathbun Headed to Germany This Week -- Why This is Bad News for David Miscavige

"I'm a professional."​Last night, I had a conversation with Marty Rathbun, who revealed that he's headed to Germany this week, and told me he'd have a series of videos on his blog today breaking that news in an interesting way -- with help from the Squirrel Busters. Sure enough, these videos ... More >>

VIDEO: Scientology Spy Comes Clean to Riverside County Board of Supes

Tuesday, a woman named Paulien Lombard appeared before the Riverside County, California Board of Supervisors to tell them what only a few years earlier she had kept secret: that she was a Scientologist who had worked as a spy for the church. It's a dramatic moment, and even more so if you know th ... More >>

Scientology's Spies, its Prison System, and Training Jerry Seinfeld: The Spectacular Life of Nancy Many

​In both of the two major books about Scientology coming out this summer, Janet Reitman's Inside Scientology, and Hugh Urban's academic history, The Church of Scientology, we noticed that Nancy Many shows up multiple times. And no wonder: the former Scientologist has lived an amazing life. She ... More >>

Scientology's Spy Program: Anatomy of a Covert Operation (UPDATED)

Marc Headley now knows which of his friends were spies​Update after the jump: More OSA documents that explain the goals for OSA spies, as well as instructions for how to get your flight information! For Scientology watchers, one of the reasons this is a particularly exciting time is that we'r ... More >>

Scientology's Enemies List: Are You On It?

​Another intriguing Scientology document was leaked today by Marty Rathbun, the former high-ranking official who left the church in 2004. At his blog, Rathbun provided a .pdf of what he says is an internal document of the Office of Special Affairs, Scientology's covert-operations wing. In t ... More >>

Scientology Spy List Exposed? Marty Rathbun Ups the Ante on David Miscavige's Secretive Crew

Marty Rathbun continues to deliver bombshells at his blog.​Marty Rathbun dropped another bomb on his blog today, making public what he says is a secret list of Scientology's spy network in the western United States. Rathbun is a top former Scientology official who defected in 2004 and in rece ... More >>

Scientology Operation Against Washington Post Reporter Richard Leiby Exposed

Richard Leiby​After the jump, Leiby's ex-wife, Theresa Defino, responds to Marty Rathbun's allegation that she 'caved' to Scientology in its anti-Leiby efforts. Story originally published at 12:16 pm. Marty Rathbun has done it again. The top former Scientology figure who left the "church" in ... More >>

Scientology Critics Find That Someone Wants Their Cellphone Records

Mike Rinder​What a week it's been in the world of Scientology watching. After a bizarre goon squad tried to intimidate Marty Rathbun at his Corpus Christi home, and then character actor Michael Fairman made public his excommunication declaration, things seemed to be whipping up into something ... More >>

When Scientologists Attack!

"A paranoid midget sent us. This won't hurt a bit."​After the jump, an update: Marty Rathbun tells the Voice about his strange encounter. SECOND UPDATE: The Video from the other side. The saga of Marty Rathbun just keeps getting stranger and stranger. At one time, Rathbun was one of the hig ... More >>

Scientology's Crushing Defeat

A previously unpublished saga of an $8 million check

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