Memorandum: Church of Scientology (September 21, 1993)

September 21, 1993
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

The central files of the FBI reveal there have been numerous inquiries from citizens to the FBI regarding the Church of Scientology (COS) dating from the 1960’s. We have also received numerous allegations of criminal violations of child labor laws, prostitution, drugs and theft.

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. Attached are three memoranda which contain additional background regarding COS and a series of articles on the COS that had been printed in the “Toronto Sun,” a Toronto, Canada, newspaper.

In May, 1976, members of the COS impersonated United States (U.S.) Internal Revenue Service (1RS) 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 Federal violations, ranging from Theft of Government Property to Aiding and Abetting.

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

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

Our Tampa, Florida, Office conducted an investigation in 1984, and our Los Angeles, California, Office conducted an investigation in 1988 into charges that COS had set up an elaborate scheme to utilize drugs and prostitutes to compromise Federal judges presiding over civil litigations involving the COS. investigations failed to substantiate the allegations and prosecution was declined in both cases.

In November, 1984, an individual contacted our San Francisco Office and stated he had started employment with the COS in October, 1984, and he was concerned he had furnished classified information to COS.

This individual stated he was interviewed on November 16, 1984, at COS in San Francisco, California, and was questioned in depth concerning his service in the U.S. Navy. The interview lasted six hours. After the interview, he was advised he was no longer employed at COS.

The individual stated he returned to COS on November 28, 1984, and talked to a woman who advised him the COS would be willing to send him to their “Flag Base” in Clearwater, Florida, for a six-week training course in counterintelligence, to include investigative procedures and how to report results of investigations to COS. In return, he would be requested to furnish all details of his naval experience, to include ship security measures, his knowledge of the 1RS, FBI and opinions of taxation.

COS was the subject of an Obstruction of Justice investigation by our San Antonio, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts, Field Offices in 1985. COS reportedly hired private investigators in an attempt to uncover what our field offices were doing in their investigation of the Hubbard Check Case and to determine the identities of our Agents. No prosecution resulted.
Reportedly, COS has an enemy list and they attempt to discredit, embarrass or harass former members of COS, their attorneys and others.

Reportedly, COS has attempted in the past to establish an intelligence center in San Antonio, Texas. The purpose of this intelligence center was to conduct nationwide investigations on individuals and organizations, such as the FBI and 1RS who were involved in litigation and/or investigations against COS or otherwise of interest to COS.
In addition, attached is a memorandum captioned “Church of Spiritual Technology (CST); Domestic Security/Terrorism – Church of Scientology,” which contains additional information concerning COS.

COS has filed numerous civil action suits during the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s.