Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath

Leah and Mike speak with Jay Wexler, an expert in constitutional law, to discuss the remarkable story of Scientology’s journey to tax-exempt status. Mike and Leah also talk with Lt. Yulanda Williams, a police officer, about law enforcement's community engagement strategies.

Leah and Mike travel to Clearwater, Florida, spiritual headquarters for the Church of Scientology. Speaking with some of the city's most prominent Scientology critics, they explore how the controversial 1995 death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson marked a turning point in the Church's history.

but what's really interesting is that it is the only city

you and Bob Minton had started

which I'm very thankful for that we are able to kind of

"to pay attention to me.

Marty Rathbun confessed to that.

when our medical examiner... Joan Wood,

Miscavige spared no expense

- The prosecution? - Yeah, the prosecution,

It threatened to expose Miscavige's involvement

in 2000, he opened up an office right next to Scientology's

that he had been able to do that.

So Scientology has been... harassing and...

and they are sending Scientologists there

and stood there in silence

outside the... Fort Harrison Hotel

- Hold... - Who's that?

whether they were violent, and so on and so forth.

more favorable toward us

The police had just stood by while these protestors

to complain of the... prior peaceful picketing activity.

is the theater of Scientology.

The next event where David Miscavige was speaking

full of L. Ron Hubbard Scientology stuff.

because I was ten feet away from this Scientologist

to destroy it.

to investigate Bob and his finances in particular.

in his Swiss bank accounts.

And it was horrific,

you said, "Not only are... are you not getting out of this"

He was effectively terminated as an attacker,

when he moved to Ireland,

and I am sorry for what I did to destroy him

I mean, to this day, Stacy is... I consider a good friend.

I hope that the...

up in that corner.

And does the injunction say that he can't be at a park?

and Scientology, of course,

or the flag building and a few other places.

In 1974, operating under an alias, the Church of Scientology moved into Clearwater, Florida, and proceeded to make the city its spiritual headquarters. In 1977, an FBI raid uncovered the Church's secret plans to take over the city. In this episode, Leah and Mike visit Clearwater and speak to some of the city's most prominent Scientology critics.

I do. I don't like it.

and sell everything that we had

And, you know, there's people at Flag right now

and people are screaming out of their car windows.

standing out here trying to talk to your son.

He tried to bring "The Apollo" to the United States in 1974,

to find a location to move to.

and turn it into a Scientology city.

Which nobody really understood, because it didn't exist.

there were armed security guys

They have chosen us to be their spiritual headquarters,

that sparking Clearwater is not for sale.

that explain and detail the activities

Uh, they detail the exact steps that were to be taken.

Operation Italian Fog was intended

These documents are perhaps only the tip of the iceberg.

You should hire me to handle this case".

They then activate their policies of

And that... wasn't that the objective

Scientology wants the police department

What group behaves like that?

And he considered it a criminal enterprise.

always asked by a prosecutor was

That city commission hearing was a major watershed

had the city then not over-reached,

At that point, the city of Clearwater basically decided

additional properties that they were buying.

They purchased vacant land.

but because it sits across the street

than what it is.

To try and rescind his funding,

He's punishing David Yates and the aquarium

The do that because they want to

and I met her and her husband,

They said "we are sent here by the Church of Scientology"

And I said I was going to take it myself.

We had the criminal trial.

This is what a tax-exempt organization

that would come back on her, and the financial obligations

And I think, partly, it's because of... they do understand

If Scientology really cared about our community,

- Yeah. - "I don't want

In a remote corner of Riverside County, Calif., lies Scientology's International Base, a compound that houses the church's most dedicated members. In this episode, Leah Remini and Mike Rinder, a former occupant of International Base ("Gold Base"), speak with four other former high-ranking residents who reveal their shocking stories behind the locked gates. MORE -LESS

who all experienced abuse themselves,

and why isn't anybody doing anything about it?

While also being the international headquarters,

and we would install Ultra Barrier

they're gonna know the instant it happens.

'cause they would say, "Well, you never call.

- called "the perimeter council." - Yeah.

It's still mind-blowing to me.

does penetrate the perimeter and get out, what happens?

Or if it's a family member of that person

he was conducting his reign of terror.

Starting with nothing and no one to help me."

to go and do anything with family.

And everybody was trying to dissuade me and saying,

but a person, who's a trusted person,

That is beyond what you're actually asked for.

that's what was coming if they didn't step in line.

with a lot of sarcasm.

Have you guys witnessed him receiving abuse?

and he squeezed them together so much that he…

entirely driven and controlled by David Miscavige.

He would… Uh, Norman wore hearing aids,

- Amy was there. - I was there.

I was in the hole when there was a competition of sorts

They weren't looking for… All that information

We watched aerial drone footage,

Over the years, Miscavige has fished people out

claiming that Miscavige struck members of his staff

Then they roll out the wives, the wives of…

Mike Rinder for an awfully long time.

and they have an unlimited ability

and just humiliated him.

were also present in that hole.

and being allowed to go take a shower once a day

You guys have all gone to the FBI,

Somebody's actually going to believe there are criminal acts

Scientologists know it's going on.

Why do these people keep talking?

Over the past two seasons, we've shown how Scientology is a "pay-as-you-go" organization, but what tactics does the church use to get the money? What about those who can't afford to pay? In this "Aftermath" special -- Leah and Mike sit down with former Scientologists who share the different ways they claim they were made to give the church money they couldn't afford. Their stories range from those who are thousands of dollars in debt, to those who were left financially and emotionally bankrupt. We'll also hear from a former member of the church whose job it was to solicit money from parishioners by what she describes as "any means necessary" -- leaving Mike and Leah to question: is this a church or is this a collection agency? MORE -LESS

to add, literally, insult to injury.

It doesn't matter.

Totally on board with Scientology.

You know, 'cause you make it sound nice.

And I told them it's not okay

then we can pay course by course,"

I really thought it was a great idea

so that they can call up and get more.

- The membership fee. - Yes.

she's gonna hurt your life".

and I just never went back.

for things that you have not done...

You hadn't gained that...

Well, I've never heard anybody justify it

but I also wanted to get my children out of the area

it goes on with people like her and the Sea Org,

It proposes to be about spirituality,

you have no IRA.

Yeah, I mean, no. I mean it...

with organizations they were trying to purchase.

So after 25 years, she leaves the Sea Organization...

We have sent letters. She was...

That in this circumstance,

'cause I'm her daughter, and I am...

They don't care about whether

My daughter means the world to me,

Okay, so let's talk about

You don't know how to work a saw, do you?

You guys work, you know, 8:00 in the morning

I just want to comment about, you know,

that there was some irresponsible

uh, after I lost my eye.

just hanging out, having some quality family time,

for registrars to be calling people

- from Scientologists. - And what was

that specifically says that registrars

Well, fear is one of the biggest reasons.

go do something good for the environment".

grabbing people or finding phone numbers

- Easily 20... - To be honest, I never thought

After, you know, 11:00 at night,

and put as much stuff into it as I could each day,

sleep, turn on the television.

Under the leadership of David Miscavige, Scientology has been purchasing large buildings to use as upgraded church locations, celebrated as “Ideal Orgs.” The church claims that the new buildings signal the rapid expansion of Scientology, but former members and critics say otherwise. In this episode, Leah and Mike interview Paul Burkhart, a former Ideal Org architect, and Bert Schippers, a former Scientologist who was a major Ideal Org donor. MORE -LESS

of just peeling that onion of how you were manipulated

You have to continue to fight.

That's the myth that he sells to every Scientologist,

of thousands of people in the parking lot,

Right after Buffalo, Miscavige went to Clear Water.

Bert, how are you?

- Right, right. - You have such a sense of

And all the money that you spent,

Scientology training and we were receiving the counseling.

because we were borrowing it, usually.

through your life, and it's written in calligraphy

What would you say?

This was the drive to get Seattle its own building.

Then the whole shift occurred and fundraising started

"Be one of 100 people to newly donate $25,000

that... a Sea Org member asked for.

they call you in, and they go,

or more was promised to be on the award plaque

can stay connected to any family members

And I'm never going to get auditing again".

that had gone on at Gold. I participated in it.

The most ethical organization on the planet.

and that's what pisses me off.

matched your own experiences and... and how you were treated

Now, your stepson and his wife,

for their church's building, the good people that they are,

except that the building was nearing completion,

and I go.

They didn't give you the 150 grand back,

get out and end disconnection,

I'm not a member of this cult that looked down on you

but are afraid for whatever reason to tell them

when the Ideal Org program really became the thing.

Paul, tell us a bit about these fundraising practices.

"And, hey, go broke," and, like, it's all this craziness.

to open these Ideal Orgs for Scientology.

out of a small field, it never ends.

"for another Ideal Org," and he laid out these huge plans.

Because it implies that Scientology's in such demand

How many of these "Ideal Organizations"

Orange County, Inglewood,

Family members report trouble getting access to loved ones at Scientology's Gold Base in Riverside County, California; Leah and Mike lend support to a niece of a former high-ranking Scientology executive as she travels to check on her uncle.

Scientology, what they do, trying to destroy people,

This season, we really needed to focus on the reason

Going, "Hey, haven't heard from you,"

speculation among the church's many critics.

It is amazing how Scientology takes literally anything

to have me see her cry, and she wiped the tears,

with Shelly on board the "Apollo".

because we needed to work for our keep.

What were you thinking as children that you were doing?

You know, it's like the older sisters with the younger

because that's who we saw every day and related with.

Too much by the book.

On the ship, our schooling was laid out by LRH.

Also, Hubbard used to penalize the students with overboards.

Small, petty things like punching someone are irrelevant

Well, that's how we were raised.

so when she got married, he gave her away,

Right.

and Dave used to...

- Well, neither did you. - Well, I didn't either,

and I've heard that's where she is.

and putting them into indestructible form, literally.

to defy the elements

but if she is there and if she does want to leave,

into what might have happened

he was under Shelly.

There's just... and you can't question Dave Miscavige,

And the same with a wife of a very powerful husband.

He's the guy. There were wild things

Shelly was screaming at the top of her lungs, "Dave, stop!"

Did we bury it? What did we do with it?"

"Oh fuck... you know,

You have to decide, at some point,

good, bad, or indifferent that David Miscavige

I think that maybe it had to be her belief in Hubbard.

I just... it, like, I never even considered this.

I believe that there are six of them that are being built

Shelly Miscavige believes that, I think.

with somebody that she confided,

David Miscavige has her separated

"We have reports that you've been beaten,

oh, she'd sit down with you on camera and go,

I was told by someone that they had been contacted

Family members report trouble getting access to loved ones at Scientology's Gold Base in Riverside County, California; Leah and Mike lend support to a niece of a former high-ranking Scientology executive as she travels to check on her uncle.

But the one thing I will say, brothers and sisters,

they are exclusively white.

and the black community.

and not have hate for each other and not teach that hate.

When I was fresh out of the military,

to be independent, independent from...

are coming together... And as a white person,

It started going a different direction

just like Dianetics does.

penalized for thinking for yourself, that's a cult to me.

That they are things that were implanted in your mind...

So when we tell them, look, if you think that this is not

You know, it's separating out from we're independent from,

that once you become staff, you get financial reward

is definitely on the upper hand, and one is

Scientology goes, I want you to give a loan to this person,

Where's all the Asians?

What's a word that they use for this in cults?

You don't need to do any of that.

We already are be afflicted by things that we can't control,

So at that point, I did express my dissent as to what I saw,

They call themselves the Lions Out The Cage.

This was totally blindsided.

In Scientology, the minute you question Scientology,

is a new concept that didn't exist before the engagement

You know, you start to be labeled an enemy.

you automatically are cast out.

and how he's an angel.

to reach into these communities using the Nation of Islam.

like the Ideal Organization in Inglewood,

But recognize also, Ismail, that money

He's a leader of the community at the First AME Church...

But really, what we're doing is we're

the Inglewood Organization.

just touches my heart, because it really

And I was interested in it.

I used to get in trouble with pastors and everything

I was like, you're supposed to be helping.

and then demanding that the public pay for all this help...

Tell us about that.

Mike and I would go and promote and get people in Scientology.

In the daytime, there was mostly about 10 people there.

Family members report trouble getting access to loved ones at Scientology's Gold Base in Riverside County, California; Leah and Mike lend support to a niece of a former high-ranking Scientology executive as she travels to check on her uncle.

How do the Scientologists find out

"Hmm, is Scientology

not the organization.

and then the International Association of Scientologists

just going on with his life.

those two guys were still on Broeker.

I've had people live across the street from me.

and expensive campaign by Scientology.

But there's a piece of me that wants to.

We were talking about it in the car,

He would meet females, you know, going out to eat

They decided that they were gonna conduct pickets

And I was recording them with my own camera

and spying on the ex-members that were getting out.

and then there were several others

I don't think so.

And I'd wrap stuff up in dog poop

The vehicles that were in front of your house with...

I knew how the operations worked

I know of him

He said he and his son were paid about $10,000 a week

Thank you so much for taking the time

and subjected to... intense noisy investigations

for just doing this.

some you might have recognized or seen before.

and then I started working with you

And I said, "No, I'm not going to do that.

That began my...

You know, SPs... like, people like us

because guess what.

"You know the guy here on that house, Robert Almblad?

old-time, old-school reporter...

What say you about... your mortgage fraud?"

- I'm asking for you... - Leave me alone.

It got so bad that Robert and I went to a trade show in Miami

getting a warehouse, spending money on Pis,

for the companies I was working with.

Financier of Hate Crimes".

and say, "Here, we'll help you out.

- right... - Right.

absolutely devastating to see that I didn't...

and had incredible pressure put on him

you let me know you wouldn't give up.

why it is that I'm allowed to tell my story

The heavily guarded Scientology compound known as Gold Base in Riverside County, California, houses up to 1,000 members of the church's elite inner core; Valerie Haney tells how conditions at the base led her to contemplate suicide.

I can... I am a free person already.

public break with Scientology.

manipulated and made to think.

You have to continue to fight.

Scientology responded with that's a lie.

So they had to leave temporarily to have me

you're a problem so you better not say that to your parents.

And it was, if you feel like taking it out on someone,

You just learn that if you say to anyone that you're hurt

there so for me to go from Flag to the base is like, oh

It was about a month after I first got to Gold.

are the people that have risen to the top of Scientology.

there was a day where he called at one of his assistants

...debased, inferior, lesser.

to imagined supposed crimes.

Those strong personalities are the ones

So that's no longer going on.

And he was told that he had to say all of these good things

And this was to do a damn video to make...

what's going on here?

about Dave that I wouldn't say anything to anybody.

then he wouldn't then be able to be able to abuse them.

where I would be digging ditches, literally digging

And this was a girl that I was with every single day.

What he is doing with his wife, hiding her and not having her

of the people who knew her, that created a mystery

And the guards stopped him.

go to be tortured and die.

There is really no...

This is part of the Church of Scientology international.

what brainwashing is, and how it is done.

This is my last moment that I can leave.

She was just out here.

I can breathe.

And then I called my sister and I called my dad

One is what's called a blow, an unauthorized departure.

that it's going to matter because they

And I was happy to do that.

will probably find out where I am and try to park outside.

This big guy served me a document

They were outside my apartment this morning

Like what... like to feel safe.

that has been shown on every show that we have done so far?

They're trying to accomplish getting her to back out.

a Scientologist, and manipulated him and fueled him

How does it feel to lose your entire belief system? How does it feel to come to believe everything you’ve been told—the foundation of who you are isn’t based in truth? How do you let go of the anger? The guilt? The grief? How do you begin to get over it and move on? In this very special episode we’ll see Leah, Mike and their closest family members, in ways we’ve never seen before as they share—for the first time—the emotional toll leaving Scientology has taken on them and their families and the challenge of unlearning the systems and practices that were engrained in them for decades. MORE -LESS

And she had never once made mention anything

you know, spent her whole life in Scientology,

in Scientology, it teaches you how to deal with everything

When you interact with Scientologists,

nothing to do with the church and I found myself

I don't know if I'm getting off track here...

yeah, I miss a lot of time with my family because of not...

You know, we were not really doing the right thing

If you are a good Scientologist and someone

And I think you've done a really great job with that.

Because I know you run into people.

for them to just block you or say they don't

It's OK to be physical with other Scientologists,

If you react to things like that,

Like, that's normal Scientology like, Sea Org member attitude.

You're still fighting to be heard.

is something in Scientology that's very much validated.

And then your self-worth goes down.

It's like what you said in the beginning, how you feel

No, you don't.

And so there is an aftermath to all of them.

They'll never know like, Christy, right?

That's the aftermath of this cult really truly, is this pain

How does it feel with your mom and sister here

And I didn't know he was going to die, but he did, you know?

seeing her dad before he passed away,

Like, I wouldn't be OK with the death of my mother, you know.

Is it worth the pain of even trying?

And there's no chance now of it ever happening.

to work for Scientology.

But also Shannon, it's bigger than that.

Yeah, make mistakes and not be punished for it.

I don't know, because I guess when she said that, it just...

And I think that's why it made you fall to your knees

But I know.

Because I feel maybe it's still...

I knew that that was going to be the last time I

and say I love you.

I don't... I don't feel I can walk away from doing everything

I can't just put behind me is that, because they are there

that just doesn't go away.

You know, dealing with that every day.

single after 50 years.

It's like, I'm not really...

affect the way you parent now?

You know, like, that's a very big thing for me.