Legal News

Sea Org member will not see wages, says judge

By Richard Binder

According to an AP story, U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer dismissed part of a lawsuit filed against the Church of Scientology by a woman who alleged she worked 100-hour weeks for almost no pay for years.

Claire Headley sued the church in Los Angeles federal court last year seeking restitution for nearly 14 years of work done while a member of Scientology's inner corps, called the Sea Organization. The church argued in court papers that as a Sea Organization member, Headley was exempt from wage requirements because she was part of a religious order.

In her five-page ruling, Fischer said the evidence showed that Headley was chosen for her work based on religious criteria.  The ruling did not address two other causes of action: allegations that the church coerces members of the inner corps to get abortions and engages in forced labor.

Full AP story here.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on April 06, 2010 (boomark / email).