======== Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology Subject: Re: New trial in Toronto? From: elrond@cgo.wave.ca (Gregg Hagglund) Date: 20 Apr 1997 16:33:52 GMT In article <5jcv3j$j0g@mtinsc05.worldnet.att.net>, modemac@sunspot.tiac.net wrote: >I've just received the following tidbit in email from a person who shall >remain anonymous. Would anyone know if this refers to a "new" trial >concerning Scientology, or does it have to do with an existing trial such >as "Hill vs. Church of Scientology of Toronto?" > >[begin quote] > >-- You may not be aware of a trial that just went badly for Scientology >in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Seems they had infiltrated the Attorney >general and the provincial police. You should be able to find details >at the globe and mail website, which is a toronto paper. > >[end quote] Unfortunately at the story is not reprinted. However I have dashed out and bought a copy. The story is on Page 9 of the National News section, top 1/4 page. Not having a scanner and having just finished the night shift I will empart the salient points. Globe And Mail, Saturday, April 19, 1997. COURT REJECTS SCIENTOLOGY'S RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ARGUMENT. By Thomas Claridge, Courts Reporter. "The Ontario Court fo Appeal has upheld the conviction of the Church of Scientology fo Toronto and one of its officers on two counts fo criminal breach of trust stemming from covert operations of its Guardians Office more than 20 years ago. In a 143 page ruling released late yesterday, a 3 judge panel rejected arguments by Scientology lawyers that incorporated non-profit religious associations should not be held liable for unauthorized criminal acts commited by individuals within the ranks." (snip) Judge Rosenberg said the objective of applying criminal liability to religious corporations "relates to a fundamental tenet of our society, namely that no person is above or beyond the law". (snip) He noted that the breaches of trust victimized 'large, powerful institutions such as the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of the Attorney-General," whose offices had been infiltrated by church agents in the mid-1970s. "In another case, however the victims could be the parishoners or members themselves." Judge Rosenberg said that if courts adopted a lower standard of criminal liability for religious corporations, "this would necessarily invite inquiry" into whether their religious goals "were genuine or a mere sham to take advantage of the preferential treatment." In upholding the $250,000 fine imposed by Mr. Justice James Southey of the Ontario Courts General Division, Judge Rosenberg said the offences " represented a deliberate attempt to undermine the effectiveness of the law-enforcement agencies. "This was not simply an intelligent gathering exercise. The apellent had planted its agents in these agencies so that they would be able to anticipate and counter the efforts of these agencies to enforce the law." Beyond that, he said, the offences "represented the execution of a carefully conceived plan," and the agents had been given special instructions to assist them in carrying out their activity. The agents themselves "were not acting for personal gain but under the belief instilled by the appellant that these acts were necessary to protect the church." He also agreed that with Judge Southey that the church had, "at no time admitted responsiibility for these offences or expressed remorse for its involvement." It had stopped the activity only because the risk of discovery was putting it in jeopardy. A significant fine " was appropriate to encourage compliance by other entities who might otherwise adopt a similar strategy and attempt to subvert the public service and interfere with the administration of justice." The main issue raised on behalf of Jacqueline Matz, the church official who was responsible for supervising agents planted in various government agencies and other organizations, was that her lawyer should have been able to address the jury after the Crown made its closing submissions. In its ruling, the court said the issue is currently before the Supreme Court of Canada. Last night, Rev.Al Buttnor, director of public affairs for Scientology in Toronto, said the church was pleased by the court's pointing out that the church had " removed and expelled over 15-20 years ago those who were responsible for the acts that underlie this case" and had taken steps to ensure that this type of conduct would never be repeated. "We are pleased," Mr. Buttnor said, "that the court has clearly recognized that the current church officials are clearly distinct from the renegades who were thrown out of the church by 1983, before any hint of prosecution." ------------ Well that is about 75% of the story. I'll fill in the (snips) later tonite. It would be real nice if one of the older hands on ARS could put together a nice piece, say about the same size as the above, that would clearly and concisely, citing the relevant courtcases and "scripture" demonstrate what a lying piece of shit Buttocks is, er rather , how the Mr. Buttnor has erred in his asssesment of the reality of current church criminal behaviour. You guys and gals Know where of I speak. I believe you can send letters to the editor at the URL above. The Globe and Mail is Canada's most respected News Institution in the Print Media. I am, off to bed. I'll be back around 9pm or so EDT. Catch you all later, Gregg "You are only upset that a religion is operating as a business." - - Gun_Bunny, Official OSA Shill on ARS $cientology Lawyer Bait: If the following quote *is* truthful, then it is the expression of a Scientific Formulae and therefore is *not copyrightable*. If it is *not* true Science then it is a *fraudulent claim of Medical Therapy*. "Step Four - Cures for Illness You will now find BTs and clusters being cures for illnesses of the body part. Handle all such BTs and clusters by blowing them off. 'Cures for Illness' will then cease to read." --- øøø L.R.Hubbard © ??? --- * * *** * * "Ronnie knew he wasn't going to make bubkis in SF with his piss-poor writing skills, so he redefined his audience from Science and Fiction to Suckers and Fools. He said he wanted to make a gazillion dollars by inventing a religion and he did" - Attributed to Harlan Ellison at LA World Con