Airtel: FBI Director to Legal Attache Brussels: Church of Scientology FPC-Bufiles and Identification Records (March 4, 1992)

CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

The central files of this Bureau reveal there have been numerous inquiries from citizens to the FBI regarding the Church of Scientology (COS) gating from the 1960s. We have also received numerous allegations of criminal violations against COS, including charges of kidnapping, extortion, violations of child labor laws, prostitution, drugs and theft. (U)

COS was founded by Lafayette Ron Hubbard, whose theory of “scientology” was an alleged science which instilled self-confidence, assisted in removing mental problems and was dedicated to the freedom of the spirit.” Hubbard died January 24, 1986.

In May, 1976, members of COS impersonated IRS agents and gained access to the U. S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D. C. They were discovered in the act of reproducing Government documents. This incident precipitated a massive investigation by the FBI against various officials of the COS for violations ranging from Theft of Government Property to Aiding and Abetting. (U)

During our investigation, two COS offices (California and Washington, D. C.) were searched in July, 1977, and over 20,000 documents confiscated. (U)

In October, 1979, nine officials of the COS were convicted for directing a conspiracy to steal Government documents about COS. In December, 1980, two more officials were extradited from Europe and convicted in this case. (U)

COS filed several civil actions suits in the late 1970s and 1980s. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI were defendants in at least two of these civil actions. Both actions involved cases seeking equitable relief in the form of injunctions prohibiting the FBI and DOJ from harassing and interfering with the Church’s exercise of their first amendment rights. (U)

Our Tampa, Florida, Office conducted an investigation in 1984 into charges that COS had set up an elaborate scheme to utilize drugs and prostitutes to compromise a Federal judge presiding over civil litigation, involving the COS. Investigation failed to substantiate the allegations and the U. S. Attorney, Tampa, declined prosecution. (U)

COS was the subject of an Obstruction of Justice investigation by our San Antonio and Boston Field Offices in 1985. [Redacted lines.] No prosecution resulted. (U)

Reportedly, COS has an enemy list and they attempt to discredit, embarrass or harass former members of COS, their attorneys and others. (U)