Feds investigating Church of Scientology for human trafficking: report

POST WIRE SERVICES
Last Updated: 1:46 PM, February 7, 2011
Posted: 1:46 PM, February 7, 2011

The FBI has reportedly launched a widespread probe into the Church of Scientology for allegedly being involved in human trafficking.

The investigation includes the cult's mysterious leader David Miscavige, a close friend of actor Tom Cruise who was also best man at his wedding.

The allegations are that Miscavige allegedly doled out regular beatings to members, The New Yorker reported in its current issue, which hit newsstands this morning.

A former member told the magazine that "the [FBI] investigation had been going on for quite a while."

Another added, "They wanted a full download about the abuse."

The feds are also looking into accusations of "enslavement" in regards to members of Scientology's religious order, known as "Sea Org."

A former member alleged that punishments included being sent to something called the "Hole" -- two trailers located on its California compound where anywhere between eighty and a hundred people were sentenced to "do group confessions all day and all night."

The claims are made in the 28-page article, which also includes an interview with Hollywood screenwriter and former member Paul Haggis, who directed the movie "Crash."

"I was in a cult for 34 years," said Haggis, who left the church in 2009. "Everyone else could see it. I don't know why I couldn't."

Haggis said he had other issues with the church: He said his wife was ordered to disconnect from her parents after they left the church.

Haggis said the news accounts he read of kids drafted into the Sea Org reminded him of child slaves he had seen in Haiti.

"They were ten years old, twelve years old ... scrubbing pots, manual labor -- that so deeply touched me," Haggis said. "My God, it horrified me!"

The Church of Scientology has denied the existence of "any place of confinement" at Gold Base, its international headquarters located outside San Jacinto.

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