Scientology Fined $900K for Organized Fraud

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http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/10/27/Scientology_Fined_$900K_for_Organized_Fraud.htm

Scientology Fined $900K for Organized Fraud

(CN) - A Paris court fined the Church of Scientology more than $900,000 for organized fraud, but rejected prosecutors' bid to ban the group from France, The Associated Press reported.

Eric Roux, a spokesman for the organization's Celebrity Center in Los Angeles, said the group would appeal Tuesday's verdict.

After a three-week trial, a panel of the Correctional Court convicted the Church of Scientology's French office, its library and six of its leaders of organized fraud. Investigators said the organization's "obsession" with financial gain drove some of the questionable practices it uses to keep members in a "state of subjection," the AP reported.

The underlying complaint was filed more than a decade ago by a woman who said she took out loans and spent more than $30,000 on Scientology materials after she was recruited in 1998. She claimed the group refused to reimburse her or let her leave. Her case was eventually consolidated with two others.