Nikitchenko (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
Rewrote to make clear quote is from Scarff... there is no citation for "most" of what is known it's a ridiculous assumption |
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In addition to regular staff, some church members also act as volunteer collaborators for the office, which cuts down on private investigation and legal research expenses. <ref>[http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/newtimes-toryC-92701.html Sympathy for the Devil] article in the New Times Los Angeles, Sept. 9, 2001</ref><ref>[http://www.torymagoo.org/trapwork.htm How the OSA trap really works] Tory Christman ex-OSA volunteer</ref> The motives of these volunteers vary: Some truly believe that they are helping a worthwhile cause, while others participate under the notion that they receive special "[[ethics (Scientology)|ethics]] protection". <ref>[http://www.lermanet.com/patti-pieniadz/ Pattie Pieniadz] ex OSA volunteer</ref> In one case a volunteer who read critical information about Scientology on the internet was led to believe that he would be unable to continue receiving services unless he performed a series of investigations for OSA. <ref>[http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/cult/irs/csi-prod-1993-11-04-152016-152073.html Gerry Armstrong]</ref> |
In addition to regular staff, some church members also act as volunteer collaborators for the office, which cuts down on private investigation and legal research expenses. <ref>[http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/newtimes-toryC-92701.html Sympathy for the Devil] article in the New Times Los Angeles, Sept. 9, 2001</ref><ref>[http://www.torymagoo.org/trapwork.htm How the OSA trap really works] Tory Christman ex-OSA volunteer</ref> The motives of these volunteers vary: Some truly believe that they are helping a worthwhile cause, while others participate under the notion that they receive special "[[ethics (Scientology)|ethics]] protection". <ref>[http://www.lermanet.com/patti-pieniadz/ Pattie Pieniadz] ex OSA volunteer</ref> In one case a volunteer who read critical information about Scientology on the internet was led to believe that he would be unable to continue receiving services unless he performed a series of investigations for OSA. <ref>[http://www.gerryarmstrong.org/50grand/cult/irs/csi-prod-1993-11-04-152016-152073.html Gerry Armstrong]</ref> |
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Much of what is known about the OSA comes from [[Garry Scarff]], who made many controversial revelations in his sworn deposition in ''Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz''. In a deposition, Scarff alleged that OSA plotted the murder of Scientology critic [[Cynthia Kisser]] and her young daughter, but this was not carried out as the would-be assassin reported it to law enforcement. <ref>[http://www.xs4all.nl/~bogie/dunkle_seite/scarff.html Deposition of Gary Scarff] in ''Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz''</ref> Scientology attorney [[Moxon & Kobrin|Kendrick Moxon]] called Scarff "a liar" and accuses him of opportunistically switching sides between Scientology and the original [[Cult Awareness Network]]. <ref>[http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/1995-11-30/news/feature2_5.html Phoenix New Times: "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlatans"]</ref> |
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[[Tory Christman]], a former member of the OSA has stated that the organization hired private investigators, fabricated criminal charges and harrassed their targets, including at their place of employment, as well as their family members. <ref>[http://www.torymagoo.org/trapwork.htm]</ref> |
[[Tory Christman]], a former member of the OSA has stated that the organization hired private investigators, fabricated criminal charges and harrassed their targets, including at their place of employment, as well as their family members. <ref>[http://www.torymagoo.org/trapwork.htm]</ref> |
Revision as of 17:12, 11 April 2006
Template:ScientologySeries The Office of Special Affairs (OSA) is a department of the Church of Scientology responsible for directing legal affairs, pursuing investigations, publicizing the Church's "social betterment works", and "oversee[ing its] social reform programs". Observers outside the Church have characterized the department as an intelligence agency, comparing it variously to the CIA, the Secret Service, and the KGB. [1][2] The department has drawn extensive criticism for its alleged involvement in targeting critics of the Church for dead agent operations (well-orchestrated character assassination). It is the successor to the now-defunct Guardian's Office (responsible for Operation Snow White), however, post titles within the organization have changed. The current head of OSA International is Mike Rinder.
In addition to regular staff, some church members also act as volunteer collaborators for the office, which cuts down on private investigation and legal research expenses. [3][4] The motives of these volunteers vary: Some truly believe that they are helping a worthwhile cause, while others participate under the notion that they receive special "ethics protection". [5] In one case a volunteer who read critical information about Scientology on the internet was led to believe that he would be unable to continue receiving services unless he performed a series of investigations for OSA. [6]
Much of what is known about the OSA comes from Garry Scarff, who made many controversial revelations in his sworn deposition in Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz. In a deposition, Scarff alleged that OSA plotted the murder of Scientology critic Cynthia Kisser and her young daughter, but this was not carried out as the would-be assassin reported it to law enforcement. [7] Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon called Scarff "a liar" and accuses him of opportunistically switching sides between Scientology and the original Cult Awareness Network. [8]
Tory Christman, a former member of the OSA has stated that the organization hired private investigators, fabricated criminal charges and harrassed their targets, including at their place of employment, as well as their family members. [9]
Notes
- ^ Understanding Scientology, by Margarie Wakefield
- ^ The Guardian Office (GO) lermanet.com
- ^ Sympathy for the Devil article in the New Times Los Angeles, Sept. 9, 2001
- ^ How the OSA trap really works Tory Christman ex-OSA volunteer
- ^ Pattie Pieniadz ex OSA volunteer
- ^ Gerry Armstrong
- ^ Deposition of Gary Scarff in Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz
- ^ Phoenix New Times: "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlatans"
- ^ [1]
See also
External links
- Office of Special Affairs and the Religious Technology Center (scientology.org)
- Office of Special Affairs (scientology.org)
- OSA (Office of Special Affairs) -- The Secret CIA of Scientology
- Scientology's Secret Service: Inside Scientology's Intelligence Agencies (xenu.net)
- Documentation of harassment of former members by private investigators hired by OSA
- Garry Scarff court deposition on conspiracy to murder critic.