Scientology Accountant Calls for Removal of Key Leader

The Tampa Bay Times is running a story that may interest those familiar with the legal battles involving the Church of Scientology.  According to the story, certified public accountant and former church attorney James J. Jackson, still a Scientology adherent, is seeking to remove David Miscavige from his position as Chair of the governing board of the Religious Technology Center (“RTC”).  The RTC reportedly owns the intellectual property rights in Scientology’s practices.  The article is interesting on multiple counts, including its discussion of Jackson’s representation of leading scientologists and its description of the reorganization that the church undertook in the 1980s and the institutional culture that developed after the death of founder L. Ron Hubbard.  As to the attempted ouster of Miscavige, the Times states as follows:

Like many critics, Jackson sees the church’s leader as a dictator steering Scientology toward ruin. Allegations over the years that Miscavige mentally and physically abused church staffers continue to yield public scorn, even though repeatedly denied by the church. While other detractors have tried to pressure Miscavige in civil court and on the Internet, Jackson is pursuing a novel, perhaps quixotic strategy: He believes Miscavige can be toppled by insiders.

 

After studying corporate bylaws the church presented to the IRS to gain tax exempt status and hiring three non-Scientology lawyers who specialize in matters regarding religious organizations, he argues Scientology’s nearly three dozen trustees, directors and officers have the power — whether they know it or not — to exercise oversight over the lucrative corporate enterprise.

 

They have a legal right and responsibility to investigate, or even remove, Miscavige, Jackson says.

 

But can they do their job? Or is Miscavige running everything, as defectors have alleged?

 

“Fights over control of the board, failing to follow bylaws, all this is proper subject matter for a California court,” said Mark Cohen of Fremont, Calif., one of Jackson’s lawyers.

The Times further reports that Jackson has appeared in a video in which he calls upon the two trustees of RTC (besides Miscavige) to remove Miscavige from office.  The piece also links to various items of correspondence relevant to the controversy.

JRB