Inside Scientology Part 23

12. The Greatest Good For the story of the McPherson criminal investigation, I relied on several lengthy interviews with Detective Lee Strope, formerly of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as well as interviews with Florida State Attorney Bernie McCabe and several other Clearwater law enforcement authorities who have requested anonymity. I also relied on the tremendous reporting of Cheryl Waldrip of the Tampa Tribune and Thomas Tobin of the St. Petersburg Times, whose coverage of the McPherson case was outstanding, and constant. In addition, several other articles were particularly helpful, notably Richard Leiby, "The Life and Death of a Scientologist" (Washington Post, December 6, 1998), Douglas Frantz, "Distrust in Clearwater-a Special Report: Death of Scientologist Heightens Suspicions in a Florida Town" (New York Times, December 1, 1997), and Joe Childs and Thomas Tobin, "Death in Slow Motion" (St. Petersburg Times, June 22, 2009).

For the saga of the McPherson family's quest for the truth, I relied upon the CPD files, and for insight and background on David Miscavige and his handling of the case, I relied on personal interviews with numerous former Scientologists, notably Don Jason, Tom De Vocht, Jason Knapmeyer, Marc and Claire Headley, and Stefan and Tanja Castle. I also relied extensively on the interviews with Marty Rathbun conducted by Tom Tobin and Joe Childs of the St. Petersburg Times, which were published in the paper and online on June 22, 2009.

For information about Scientology's approach to mental illness since McPherson's death, I relied upon interviews with Nancy and Chris Many, Sandra Mercer, Teresa Summers, and Maureen Bolstad, and upon the correspondence of the late Greg Bashaw. For details about Bashaw's life and involvement in Scientology, I referred to Tori Marlan, "Death of a Scientologist" (Chicago Reader, August 16, 2002).

[>] "like vultures": Cheryl Waldrip, "Scientologist's Death: A Family Hunts for Answers,"Tampa Tribune, December 22, 1996.

[>] "Mystery Surrounds Scientologist's Death": Cheryl Waldrip, "Mystery Surrounds Scientologist's Death," Tampa Tribune, December 15, 1996.

[>] There had been at least eight cases: Lucy Morgan, "For Some Scientologists, Pilgrimage Has Been Fatal," St. Petersburg Times, December 7, 1997.

[>] "Lisa at first didn't want": Cheryl Waldrip, "Mystery Surrounds Scientologist's Death," Tampa Tribune, December 15, 1996.

[>] "This is the most severe case": Inside Edition, January 21, 1997.

[>] "Lose 'em": Joe Childs and Thomas Tobin, "Death in Slow Motion," St. Petersburg Times, June 22, 2009.

[>] "forward an agenda of hate": Elliot Abelson, letter, St. Petersburg Times, March 19, 1997.

[>] "lying" on Lisa's autopsy report: Cheryl Waldrip, "Doctor Details Scientologist's Death," Tampa Tribune, January 23, 1997. Specifically, the church attorney Elliot Abelson called Dr. Joan Wood "a hateful liar."

[>] "extortion attempt": Thomas Tobin, "Family Sues Scientology in '95 Death of Woman," St. Petersburg Times, February 20, 1997.

[>] "What the doc.u.ments demonstrate": Jeff Stidham and William Yelverton, "Doc.u.ments Detail Woman's Final Days," Tampa Tribune, July 10, 1997.

[>] "I take a great deal of pride": Thomas Tobin, "The Man Behind Scientology," St. Petersburg Times, October 25, 1998.

[>] "No. No ... That doesn't come": Thomas Tobin, "Scientology Leader Named Defendant in Suit," St. Petersburg Times, December 15, 1999. In this article, Tobin noted that Miscavige said this during the 1998 interview for "The Man Behind Scientology," but it was not published then, for some unstated reason.

[>] "surprising calm": Thomas Tobin, "Scientology Responds with Surprising Calm," St. Petersburg Times, November 15, 1998.

[>] "now, tomorrow, and forever": Thomas Tobin, "Scientology Breaks Ground with Lasers, Fireworks, Music," St. Petersburg Times, November 22, 1998.

[>] "as a sign of its commitment": Letter from David Miscavige to Bernie McCabe, January 22, 1999, whyaretheydead.info/lisa_mcpherson/legal/dm-let.htm.

[>] a "holy war": Letter from David Miscavige to Bernie McCabe, February 4, 1999, www.xenutv.com/blog/?p=2797.

[>] The purpose of a lawsuit: Hubbard, "The Scientologist: A Manual on the Dissemination of Material," Ability, March 1955.

[>] "complex" and "voluminous" motions": Thomas Tobin, "Scientology Promises Long Fight," St. Petersburg Times, December 16, 1998.

[>] "bring a peaceful resolution": Letter from David Miscavige to Bernie McCabe, January 22, 1999.

[>] McCabe again rejected: Letter from Bernie McCabe to David Miscavige, February 4, 1999.

[>] "n.o.body investigates": Patty Ryan, "Scientology Perspective on Tragedy Rarely Seen," Tampa Tribune, April 2, 2000.

[>] "very real possibility": Memorandum from Douglas Crow to Bernie McCabe, "Review of Evidence in State v. Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, Inc.," June 9, 2000.

[>] "to prove critical forensic": Douglas Frantz, "Florida Drops Charges Against Scientology in 1995 Death," New York Times, June 13, 2000.

[>] "taken a toll far greater": Patty Ryan, "Medical Examiner: Case Has Taken a Toll," Tampa Tribune, June 14, 2000.

[>] "pep drinks": Letter from Greg Bashaw to Debbie Cook, captain of the Flag Service Organization, April 29, 2001.

[>] "accept and a.s.sume all": Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, "Agreement and General Release Regarding Spiritual Resistance," 2001.

[>] "a Flag Ship Cla.s.s XII": Hubbard, "Word Clearing Series 23: Trouble Shooting," HCO Bulletin, September 13, 1971.

13. The Celebrity Strategy My primary sources for this chapter were Nancy and Chris Many, Karen Pressley, Bruce Hines, Art Cohan, Amy Scobee, and several other former Scientologists, including one former Celebrity Center official, whom I interviewed extensively about the "Get High on Yourself" and "Friends of Narconon" campaigns, but who wished to remain anonymous. The Church of Scientology's love affair with celebrities has been covered extensively; in addition to relying on Scientology's own doctrine on the subject, some notable sources were John Richardson, "Catch a Rising Star" (Premiere, September 1993); Joel Sappell and Robert W. Welkos, "The Courting of Celebrities" (Los Angeles Times, June 25, 1990); Douglas Frantz, "Scientology's Star Roster Enhances Image" (New York Times, February 13, 1998); Joseph Mallia, "Inside the Church of Scientology: Stars Wield Celebrity Clout" (Boston Herald, March 5, 1998); and Dana Goodyear, "Chateau Scientology" (The New Yorker, January 14, 2008).

For background on Scientology's war with Germany, and its use of celebrities to further that agenda, I referred to numerous articles, notably Mary Williams Walsh, "Celebrity Group Takes on Germany Over Scientology" (Los Angeles Times, January 11, 1997); Stephen Kent, "Hollywood's Celebrity-Lobbyists and the Clinton Administration's American Foreign Policy Toward German Scientology" (Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, vol. 1, Spring 2002); Russ Baker, "Clash of the t.i.tans: Scientology vs. Germany" (George, April 1997); and Frank Rich, "Show Me the Money" (New York Times, January 25, 1997).

[>] "There are many to whom America": Hubbard, "Project Celebrity," Ability, 1955.

[>] But if Scientologists succeeded: Ibid.

[>] the most successful org in Los Angeles: The term org, though technically a term for a Scientology "organization," or church, is often used colloquially to describe lesser groups such as missions. Celebrity Centre was always an org, but other Scientology centers, including numerous missions in the greater Los Angeles area, were also known, by members at least, as orgs.

[>] "reflected glory": John Richardson, "Catch a Rising Star," Premiere, September 1993.

[>] "One day, in L.A., we got into": Alanna Nash, Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia, New York: HarperCollins, 1995, p. 562.

[>] "Remember twenty years ago": Malko, Scientology: The Now Religion, p. 7.

[>] "At that point I realized": Richardson, "Catch a Rising Star," Premiere, September 1993.

[>] Chick Corea, who joined: Fred Jung, "A Fireside Chat with Chick Corea," All About Jazz, September 7, 2004.

[>] Scientology helped her portray: "Celebrities Testify for Scientology," St. Petersburg Times, March 20, 1976.

[>] "My career immediately took off": Hubbard, What Is Scientology?, p. 233.