Leah Remini sues Church of Scientology claiming she's a victim of ‘psychological torture’
This week is well and truly one of high-profile lawsuits, with Leah Remini now filling a lawsuit against the Church of Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige.
It all started with Lizzo yesterday (1 August), but Remini - best known for her role in The King of Queens - has began her lawsuit battle.
Remini joined the Church of Scientology as a child in 1979, and left in 2013 before becoming an outspoken critic on a number of different topics.
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The actress is suing the Church and Miscavige for harassment, defamation and other unlawful conduct.
In the suit filed on Wednesday (2 August) in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Remini claims she has been: "stalked, surveilled, harassed, threatened, intimidated, and, moreover, has been the victim of intentional malicious and fraudulent rumors."
She also says scientology’s 'mob-style operations and attacks' have 'significantly' impacted her life and career - something she is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for.
In a press release sent out on Wednesday, Remini stated: "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."
The lawsuit was filed in an attempt 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'.'
The press release continues: "OSA Network Orders, a series of directives from Scientology’s founder, the late L. Ron Hubbard, institutionalized a series of retaliatory actions to be taken against any individual, organization, business or government entity that Scientology declares as an enemy.
"Under the organizations’ rules, directives originating from Hubbard cannot be changed."
The lawsuit also alleges the Church 'coordinated campaigns' against Remini, her family, friends and business associates.
"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," the actress 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."
The Church of Scientology is yet to release a response to any of the allegations.
UNILAD has reached out to them for comment.
Callum Jones