WASHINGTON (TND) — Actor Leah Remini has filed a lawsuit against the Church of Scientology and its leader David Miscavige, alleging psychological torture, defamation and harassment over almost two decades.
For 17 years, Scientology and David Miscavige have subjected me to what I believe to be psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, significantly impacting my life and career. I believe I am not the first person targeted by Scientology and its operations, but I intend to be the last,” Remini said Wednesday in a statement to Variety.According to Variety, the "King of Queens" actor filed the lawsuit in California Superior Court on Aug. 2 to "require Scientology, and any entity it controls and funds, to cease and desist its alleged practice of harassment, defamation, and other unlawful conduct against anyone who Scientology has labeled as an ‘enemy.'”
Remini, a former member who has turned into the church's highest-profile critic, says attacks by Scientology were meant to “obliterate” and “totally restrain and muzzle" her.
“With this lawsuit, I hope to protect my rights as afforded by the Constitution of the United States to speak the truth and report the facts about Scientology,” she continued. “I feel strongly that the banner of religious freedom does not give anyone license to intimidate, harass and abuse those who exercise their First Amendment rights.”
Remini recently made an appearance in May at the second rape trial of "That '70s Show" star Danny Masterson, a current Scientology member.
Tensions ran high in the courtroom between current and former Scientologists, and even leaked into testimony, with the accusers saying on the stand that they felt intimidated by some members in the room.
A jury found Masterson guilty on two of three counts of rape.
Remini said on Twitter that the guilty verdicts in the retrial are "a relief. The women who survived Danny Masterson's predation are heroes. For years, they and their families have faced vicious attacks and harassment from Scientology and Danny's well-funded legal team," she posted. "Nevertheless, they soldiered on, determined to seek justice."
____
Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmp5mknryvedaoqaWcX6GyorSMq5ymoZ6eerTBxKxknKClp7Cpec6fZKybmZq7tbvLqJ6yZZGhuaazyKeeZrGVlr%2B0ec6fZKmrqZi1sLjOoKCcmZxiwbC%2B066pnmWYlr%2Biv9KmnKesXZmyp63Mmquip55itq%2FAyKagnZmknryvedKuqa%2BdmaG5orrCnmSkoZ6cerCyjKqsnp2eqHqir9OoqWabkaG2p7vRp6CaZZOkwrPAjJ2Yp6apYrqiv9Oeqaynng%3D%3D