The highly anticipated sex crimes trial of actor Danny Masterson, best known for his role on “That ’70s Show,” has begun in Los Angeles, casting a spotlight on the controversial Church of Scientology and its alleged practices. Masterson, a prominent Scientologist, faces three charges of forcible rape stemming from incidents between 2001 and 2003.
While the trial centers around the serious allegations against Masterson, the Church of Scientology has emerged as a significant factor in the proceedings. The alleged victims, all former Scientologists, claim they delayed reporting the assaults due to fear of retaliation from the organization.
Adding to the controversy, Masterson’s attorney, Karen L. Goldstein, raised the issue of Scientology’s alleged forced abortion policy during jury selection. Goldstein argued that the public’s perception of Scientology, particularly regarding these allegations, could prejudice potential jurors against her client.
Danny Masterson departs from Los Angeles Superior Court on January 10, 2023
Journalist Tony Ortega, a leading voice on Scientology and a close follower of the Masterson case, provided insights into this unexpected development. “Danny’s attorney is not saying she accepts [the forced abortion allegations],” Ortega explained. “Danny’s attorney is saying that that’s what the public has heard.”
This public awareness, Ortega points out, is largely attributed to investigative reporting by journalists like Tom Tobin of the Tampa Bay Times. Tobin’s groundbreaking 2012 article, “Kids Not Allowed,” exposed the alleged systematic coercion of abortions within Scientology’s Sea Org, the organization’s dedicated religious order.
The article featured harrowing accounts from former Scientologists like Claire Headley, Sunny Pereira, and Laura Tichchenko, who claimed they were pressured into terminating pregnancies. Their testimonies, along with accounts from male Scientologists tasked with enforcing the alleged policy, painted a disturbing picture of reproductive control within the organization.
Claire Headley speaks at the 2013 International Human Rights Now Conference
The Church of Scientology has vehemently denied these allegations, but the issue continues to plague the organization’s public image. Goldstein’s decision to raise it in court, regardless of its veracity, highlights the potential impact of these allegations on the trial’s outcome.
Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo, presiding over the case, has acknowledged the relevance of Scientology’s policies in understanding the victims’ delayed reporting. However, she has limited the scope of testimony on the subject, focusing primarily on the organization’s policy discouraging members from reporting each other to law enforcement.
This strategic approach aims to provide context for the case without turning it into a referendum on Scientology’s practices. Nonetheless, the specter of the organization and its controversial policies looms large over the proceedings.
Masterson, appearing calm and composed in court, has maintained his innocence. His legal team, led by Philip Cohen, is expected to mount a vigorous defense against the charges. The trial, attracting significant media attention, is poised to delve into the complex relationship between Masterson, his accusers, and the Church of Scientology.
The outcome of the trial remains uncertain, but the allegations of forced abortions within Scientology have taken center stage, raising questions about the organization’s influence and practices. As the trial unfolds, the world watches to see how these allegations will impact the jury’s decision and shape the future of Danny Masterson’s career and freedom.
